National League Championship Series - Game 1 Recap - Jackson at Mississippi

Milwaukee, WI (AP) - Richie Daniels and Tim Perry hit back-to-back home runs and Wilt Frank pitched eight strong innings as the Jackson BlaZers took Game 1 of the ALCS, 5-2, in Milwaukee this afternoon.

"We grabbed the early lead in the game, which is crucial while you're on the road, especially in this type of game," Jackson coach Marc Purcell told reporters after the game. "Franky did a great job holding the Bucks to five hits in his outing and Kaner pitched a perfect ninth to give us the win."

Though he gave up five walks, Wilt Frank pitched a strong game, giving up only five hits and two earned runs while striking out four batters over eight innings.

"I felt like I had great control of my fastball and my slider was working well tonight," Frank said. "I am a little disappointed that I gave up five walks, but we were able to keep control of the game to get the win."

Sidney Musial was tagged with the loss for the Bucks, giving up six hits five runs (four earned), while striking out five.

With a 1-0 lead after Milwaukee CF Orber Sierra couldn't make the play on a fly ball which scored Norman Richard, the BlaZers blew the game open with a big third inning.

After singles by Donatello Carpenter and Ken Lincoln, which left Carpenter on third and Lincoln on first, Richie Daniels smacked a line drive home run to left field to give Jackson the 4-0 lead. Orber Sierra had a shot at getting to the ball before it left the park, but he slightly misjudged the ball, giving Daniels the three-run homer.

"I saw the ball come off the bat, and I knew I had a chance to get to it," a dejected Sierra commented. "I thought I had a good read on the ball, but I misread it by a fraction."

Tim Perry stepped up to the plate after Daniels' three-run home run and hit a solo home run of his own to left center field, giving Jackson the commanding 5-0 lead.

Milwaukee started to chip away at the Jackson lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. With a man on first and second and two out, Chris Bellhorn grounded a ball to right field to plate Danny Harding.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, Harding hit a line drive home run to right center field, but that was all of the offense that Milwaukee could muster, giving Jackson the victory and the 1-0 series lead.