HAYS – The Hays Larks bullpen squandered a four-run lead, giving up two runs in the eighth and two in the ninth and lost game one of their crucial three-game series with Dodge City 6-5 in 11 innings. El Dorado beat Liberal 15-6, so the Larks (33-10, 29-10 JL) are now tied with the Broncos in the Jayhawk League second half with the Athletics a half-game back. The Bee Jays fall a game and-a-half behind.

Austin O’Brien hit his fourth home run in five games, a two-run shot in the first inning to give the Larks the early lead. They added three in the fourth and raced out to a 5-1 lead.

Graylon Brown gave up two in the eighth on a triple, a walk, a single and two groundouts. Chad Smith gave up two in the ninth on three singles along with a walk. Sam Reed (1-1) gave up the go-ahead run on two singles and a fielder’s choice in the 11th and takes the loss.

O’Brien led off the bottom of the inning with a single but a line out, fly out and strikeout ended the threat.

The Larks lost despite six stolen bases which included Mikey Gangwish steal of home in the third.

The series shifts to Dodge City Tuesday night before returning to Larks Park on Wednesday.