GREENSBORO, NC- The Grasshoppers opened an eight game home stand Thursday night, as they played host to the Hagerstown Suns. The Hoppers dropped game one of their four game home series with the Suns 5-3.

The Grasshoppers struck first, plating three runs in the second inning after three consecutive extra-base hits.

Daniel Pertusati doubled to centerfield to lead off the inning and was followed by an RBI double by Jeremy Synan.  Red hot Justin Jacobs homered to left to plate the Grasshoppers second and third runs of the inning.

Jacobs drove in two runs with his two hits, as he continues to swing a hot bat.  Jacobs is hitting .429 in his last five games and has driven in six of the Hoppers last 14 runs.

Kevin Mattison and Daniel Pertusati also shined offensively, collecting two hits apiece and joining Jacobs in the multi-hit game club.

However, the Grasshoppers went just two-for-nine with runners in scoring position and left eight men on base, as they failed to rally back from their two run deficit.

Hagerstown starter Brad Peacock settled down after the three run second, tossing two straight scoreless innings.  He allowed just three earned runs over five innings before yielding to the Sun's bullpen.

Relievers Kevin Light, Randy Matias, Osvaldo Rodriguez, and Patrick Arnold closed the door for the Suns, allowing zero runs on just three hits in the final four innings.  Kevin Light (1-1) earned his first victory of the season, striking out two in 1 2/3 innings of work.

Hagerstown's Patrick Arnold picked up his first save of the season after recording the final two outs of the game.

With the loss, the Hoppers (18-15) suffered their first Thirsty Thursday loss of the season, and fell to a Northern Division opponent at home for only the second time all year. 

The Grasshoppers are back in action tomorrow evening as they take on Hagerstown for the second game of the four game series.  Game time is set for 7:05 p.m.