The Humboldt Crabs suffered another heartbreaking loss on Thursday night, as they dropped to 0-3 in the Pacific Empire League.

One night after seeing a late lead disappear in a 5-4 loss at the Lincoln Potters, the Crabs blew a three-run lead in the bottom of the ninth inning on the way to a 4-3 walk-off loss to the same team.

With the victory, the Potters swept the three-game series and improved to 3-0 in league play and 18-2 overall, while the Crabs dropped to 10-5 overall.

The late collapse wasted a very good pitching performance by McKinleyville’s Cameron Saso, who threw seven scoreless innings for a no-decision.

Saso, who plays collegiately for Colorado State Pueblo, gave up just four hits and two walks and struck out 10.

Calen Nieman took the loss in relief for the second straight night.

The Crabs led for much of the game after taking a one-run advantage in the top of the third and they would add two insurance runs in the top of the ninth.

Once again, however, the bullpen let the lead slip away, when Potters second baseman Jake Tandy hit a three-run home run to cap a four-run ninth inning for the home team.

The Crabs out-hit the Potters 6-5 for the game and played errorless ball for the second straight night.

Ty Kennedy led the visitors at the plate and was 2-for-3 with a double and two runs scored.

Billy Ham also had a double.

The Crabs will try to get back on track when they travel to Healdsburg to play the Prune Packers in a three-game weekend series, which gets under way on Friday night.