Kyle Padbury was the winning pitcher and helped his cause with a solo home run Thursday night as the Desert Reds defeated Met Life 8-4 to stay alive in the 2009 Deschutes National Adult Baseball Association championship series.

Met Life holds a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five series, which will conclude on Sunday at Big Sky Park in Bend. Game 4 is scheduled for 1 p.m., and Game 5, if necessary, is set for 4 p.m.

Padbury, who also homered for the Desert Reds in a 7-4 loss in the series opener on Tuesday, was the starting pitcher for Thursdays winners. He earned the victory with late-inning relief help from Tim Cecil.

Bulletin staff report