The Dodge City A’s had an answer every time the Hays Larks score and defeat the Larks 5-3 Tuesday night in Dodge City.

The Larks tied the game at 3-3 in the eighth, loading the bases on three straight singles from Jon Ryan, Joe Betcher and Austin Darby. Ryan scored when Ryan Busboom grounded into a double play. Hays tied the game when MacKenzie Handel reached on an error by the A’s first baseman. Brett Lang struck out looking with runners at second and third to end the inning.

The A’s took the lead for good in the bottom of the inning, scoring the go-ahead run on a groundout then adding a second run with a a two-out single.

The Larks were retired in order in the ninth to end the game.

The A’s grabbed an early 2-0 lead with single runs in the first and second. Aaron Cornell put Hays on the board in the fifth, reaching on a one-out double, advancing to third then scoring on a throwing error by the left fielder.

The A’s got the run back in the bottom of the inning with a home run to lead 3-1.

Caleb Hawkins allowed the two runs in the eighth and drops to 0-2 with the loss. Starter Alex Ellison went six innings, allowing three runs on 10 hits, striking out one and walking one.

Jon Ryan, Brett Lang and Aaron Cornell each had two hits.

The Larks have now dropped three of their last four and fall to 14-7 overall and 8-7 in the Jayhawk League where they are now in fourth place, a half-game behind El Dorado and one-game behind the A’s and Liberal.

The Larks wrap-up their five-game road trip in Liberal Wednesday night before returning home this weekend for a three-game series with the Broncos.