The Bombers dropped the first game in their series with the East Texas Pump Jacks, falling 9-0 on Monday night. The loss drops the Bombers into a tie with the Victoria Generals for the fourth and final spot in the TCL playoffs with three games left to play.

The Pump Jacks jumped out to an early lead, putting four runs on the board in the first inning off of Bombers’ starter Michael Hilliard. The Pump Jacks strung a pair of singles, a double and a home run together to bring the runs home. The strong start seemed to help them settle in and cruise to a comfortable victory.

A trio of East Texas pitchers held the Bombers’ offense in check in the contest. Donnie Hart, Brett Higginbotham, and Jason Jester combined to scatter seven hits over nine innings of work, striking out 10 Bombers en route to the win.

The Bombers struggled to capitalize with runners on base, stranding nine runners throughout the course of the game. While the team was unable to string anything together offensively, Brennyn Smith and Greg Olson each went 2-for-4 at the plate.

The Bombers will conclude their stay in East Texas tonight, when they take on the Pump Jacks. Tomorrow the team will return home to Brazos Valley Bank Ballpark to take on the Victoria Generals. The two teams are currently tied in the standings, and the game will be played with playoff implications at stake. The game will be also feature the sixth and final of the Angry Birds Bobblehead giveaways this season, where fans can complete their collection by scooping up the last of the feathered friends. Also to be given away are 300 team photos to commemorate the 2011 Brazos Valley Bombers’ team. Furthermore, fans will be able to purchase $1 margaritas on the night.