SANFORD — It took six innings, but the Keene Swamp Bats finally got to Sanford starting pitcher Robert Ruse. And when they did, they got to him just enough to down the host Mainers 5-3 on Friday night in an NECBL game at Goodall Park, extending Sanford’s losing streak to four games.

Ruse allowed just one hit through the first five innings, then got a quick out in the sixth by striking out Patrick McGrath. But then the wheels came off. The next three batters reached ”“ on a single, a walk and a hit batter ”“ to load the bases. A sacrifice fly followed by an RBI single tied the game 2-2, then Ruse hit Ryan Summers to lad the bases again and end his night.

John Nicklas came in and walked Conner Simonetti on a 3-2 pitch to bring home another run, and the Swamp Bats never looked back after taking a 3-2 lead.

The Mainers took a a 2-0 lead in the fourth, on a Drake Parker RBI single and a Cory Raley run-scoring grounder that was misplayed, but didn’t score again until the ninth.

The Swamp Bats got two insurance runs in the eighth on a Zach Lauricella two-run single off Jonathan Chudy.

Michael Rescigno led off the bottom of the ninth by reaching on an error, then scored a batter later after advancing to second on a wild pitch before coming home on another error.

Keene’s defense then calmed down to put out the final two batters and close out the win.

Ruse took the loss despite a mostly-solid start.