After falling into an early rut, the Alexandria Aces are clawing their way back to a .500 record, winning five of their last six games.

The Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League club fell on hard times following their home opener win against the Vienna River Dogs, going on a six-game losing streak that ended with an 8-3 victory over the Herndon Braves on June 11. From there the Aces went on a tear, squeaking by the River Dogs, Braves and the Rockville Express in successive nights.

But facing the perennial champions, Bethesda Big Train, Monday the Aces couldnt keep the good times rolling. Though the Aces jumped to an early 1-0 lead, the Big Train roared back, tying the game in the third inning and racking up four runs in the fifth, one in the sixth, two in the seventh and seven in the eighth to put the Aces away.

Jordan Hill and John Barrett were the sole Aces to score in the dismal outing, their first lopsided loss since an 11-1 drubbing by the River Dogs on June 10. Pitcher David Drinks was charged with the loss after giving up 10 hits and six runs in five and a half innings on the mound at Frank Mann Field.

The Aces headed into a two-game series against Herndon Wednesday (after the Times deadline) with a 6-7 record, ranked fifth in the league standings.