A temporary lapse by their pitching staff was decisive as the Aberdeen IronBirds completed the first series at Ripken Stadium with a 2-0 loss to the Williamsport Crosscutters last night before 6,031.

The defending New York-Penn League co-champions won the series, two games to one, by limiting the IronBirds to 14 hits overall, including only three in the finale.

Williamsport starter David Beigh pitched no-hit ball for five innings before departing with the game scoreless.

His successors, Chris Holt and Shane Youman, finished the Crosscutters' first shutout of the season, with Holt getting the victory.

IronBirds left-hander Scott Rice was nearly as effective as Beigh, working six innings and allowing five singles, including three infield hits. He threw double-play pitches in each of the first two innings to escape jams.

The tie was unlocked in the eighth inning when the Crosscutters scored their runs.

With Carl Makowsky on the mound for the IronBirds, Domingo Cuello walked and then stole second as Chris Bass struck out on a 2-2 pitch. Humberto Aliendo followed with a scorching double into the left-field corner to score Cuello.

After Makowsky struck out Brad Eldred, left-hander T.W. Mincey replaced the pitcher and walked left-handed batter Jorge Cortas.

Aliendo had advanced to third on a wild pitch during Cortas' at-bat, then scored when Mel Spivey also threw a wild pitch while he was in the process of walking Travis Chapman.

There were three walks, a steal, three wild pitches and only one hit - Aliendo's double - during the rally.

Aberdeen had a late chance when Neal Stephenson tripled off Holt to open the seventh, the team's first extra-base hit of the season. After an intentional walk, he was stranded by a double play.

Tim Gilhooly doubled with one out in the ninth before Youman struck out the last two hitters, giving him five strikeouts in two innings.