'Nadoes can't hold on; Blow five-run lead and fold in ninth inning.

• Position: SPORTS

Byline: John McGuirk

WORCESTER - The feel-good story from 24 hours earlier had no traction. Failing to build upon its victory over Grand Prairie on Monday, the Tornadoes instead received a solid punch to the gut last night by blowing a five-run lead and losing, 10-7, to the AirHogs at Hanover Insurance Park.

Worcester was up, 7-2, through four innings, but starter Zach Zuercher (6-2/3 innings, 7 runs, 10 hits, 5 strikeouts) failed to hold the advantage.

Grand Prairie scored a run in the fifth and added four in the seventh to tie the game, 7-7.

"I screwed up, and I shouldn't have left Zach in for as long as I did," Worcester manager Chip Plante said. "That's on me."

In the ninth inning, the AirHogs' Andres Rodriguez ripped his second home run of the night, a three-run shot to left field off closer Nick Serino, providing the difference in the game.

Things were looking good for the Tornadoes after putting up seven runs in the third. Grand Prairie starter Teddy Nowell lasted just 2-1/3 innings and allowing seven runs on four hits and issuing six walks.

Nowell walked the bases loaded to begin the inning, and Jerod Edmondson cleared the bases with a double to center, putting Worcester on top, 3-2. Nowell then walked Johnny Welch and Alex Trezza followed with a three-run homer to right.

Nick Salotti doubled to end Nowell's evening. Derrick Miramontes came on and allowed a run-scoring single to Tony Patane...