Dingler's Power and Lockhart's Gem Power Erie to Win

Erie opened the series in Altoona with a 7-3 win Tuesday.

In the third after Ben Malgeri doubled, Justice Bigbie drove home the game’s first run on a two-out single.

With two out in the fifth inning, Jace Jung connected on a long RBI double which extended Erie’s lead to 2-0. He then scored on Dillon Dingler’s RBI single.

In the seventh, Dingler broke the game open. He blasted a three-run home run to make it 6-0. Dingler had four runs batted in in his first game since his activation from the Injured List. Jake Holton followed with a solo blast later in the frame to make it 7-0.

Lael Lockhart turned in a gem on the mound for Erie. He tied a career-high with nine strikeouts over six shutout innings. He walked one and allowed three hits.

After working a perfect seventh inning, Blake Holub surrendered three runs in the eighth. Tsung-Che Cheng was responsible for all three one a three-run home run to make it 7-3. Holub finished the frame and Yaya Chentouf tossed a scoreless ninth to end the game.

Justice Bigbie had four hits in the game. It was his second four-hit game in Double-A.

Lockhart (3-1) earned the win with his quality start. Nick Dombkowski (4-3) took the loss.

Erie and Altoona play a doubleheader on Tuesday with first pitch in the first game scheduled for 12:05 p.m.