Former Eastern Michigan University pitcher Jeff Fischer led the Midwest Sliders of Ypsilanti to an 8-0 win over the Kalamazoo Kings Thursday night at Homer Stryker Field in Kalamazoo.

Fischer shut out the Frontier League East Division-leading Kings on five hits over 7 2/3 innings. The 6-foot-5 right-hander has won four of five starts since coming to the Sliders (28-32) in a late-June trade with the Gary Railcats of the Northern League.

Robbie Knapp and Chelsea native Jimmy Baker each homered among three hits for the Sliders. Sam DeLuca also had three hits and two RBIs.

The same teams will play the rubber match of their three-game series Friday night. The Sliders then return to EMU’s Oestrike Stadium for a six-game home stand that begins at 6:05 p.m. Saturday against the Washington Wild Things.