The Rangers (12-9) dropped a pair of close games to the South Dayton Slammers at Fairmont high school on Sunday. 

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Game one saw Brandon Saylor square off against Slammers ace Jeff Beall. Both pitchers were on their game as the only tally of the contest came on a sac fly from Slammers shortstop Mark Barhorst in the second inning.

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Similar to the first outing this year against Beall, Nick Gilmore and Rob Pederson did their part atop the Rangers lineup going 4-for-6, but the remainder of the lineup faltered at a 2-for-21 clip.

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The defense stood strong in game 1 with turning 3 double plays. Right fielder Chris Ridl got in on the act with a catch and throw, nailing a runner at third attempting to tag up from second. Saylor added a diving catch on a bunt attempt in the bottom of the 6th inning. However, the offense was 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position.

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The Slammers got on the board in the first inning of game 2 as a leadoff error ultimately produced 3 runs.  The Rangers got one of the runs back in the bottom of the third as Rob Pederson's opposite field line drive to deep left field was misplayed, allowing Gilmore to scamper around the bases to make it 3-1. Hunter Kraynak, despite the first inning woes, blanked the Slammers over the next three innings. 

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Ryan Qvick entered in the fifth inning but fell victim to the walk bug as the Slammers scored three times, twice on bases-loaded walks and the other on a Kyle Markle sac fly. Qvick finished strong with a 1-2-3 6th, and Kenny Owens cleaned up with a scoreless seventh.

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The Rangers attempted a comeback in the bottom of the 7th. Eric Becker led off with a single. After an out, Jonmarc Lippincott singled and Mike Seebock ran for him. Nick Gilmore hit a sac fly to score Becker, and Rob Pederson added an RBI single to make it 6-3. However, Slammers pitcher Zach Zaborowski finished the complete game with a punchout.

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Defense had its shining moments again in game two. Ridl added another double-play assist from right field. Pederson had two Willie Mays catches at second base in shallow right field. And first baseman Dominic Kuzujanakis added a diving catch in foul territory.