LATE WINDY CITY RUNS SINK GRIZZLIES
CRESTWOOD, Ill. — The Gateway Grizzlies (3-12) came alive offensively Sunday afternoon and took a lead in the middle innings, but gave up at least one run in each of the final four innings in a 9-8 loss to the Windy City Thunderbolts (10-5) at Standard Bank Stadium in Crestwood, Illinois.
The Grizzlies stranded the potential tying run at third base to end the ballgame in the form of Terry McClure, who singled earlier in the ninth inning to drive in Evan Rogers and Blake Brown. Garrett Mattlage hit a line drive to left field, but it hung up long enough for Windy City's Coco Johnson to make the game-ending catch.
After falling behind 4-0 in the first three innings, the Grizzlies scored four in the fourth inning on five hits to tie the game. Anthony Caronia drove in two on a double, Mattlage followed with an RBI single, and Bre'Shon Kimbell knocked in the fourth run with a double of his own.
The Grizzlies scored again in the fifth inning to take their lone lead of the series, 5-4, at the halfway point of the game. Windy City answered right back with two runs in the bottom of the fifth to retake the lead.
The Thunderbolts then notched one run apiece in the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings to build a 9-6 advantage going to the ninth that was too much for the Grizzlies to overcome.
Seven Grizzlies starters had hits. Kimbell doubled twice, Caronia drove in three runs for the game, Rogers and Brown both had two hits and two runs scored, and McClure picked up the aforementioned two-run single that extended his hitting streak to 10 games.
Gateway starter Adam Eggnatz (0-2) took the loss, allowing six runs (all earned) on nine hits over 4 1/3 innings of work.
Next up, the Grizzlies open a six-game homestand at GCS Credit Union Ballpark in Sauget after an off day tomorrow. The play three against the Normal Cornbelters, then three against the River City Rascals over the weekend. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Tuesday and can be heard on the Grizzlies Media Network.
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ABOUT THE GATEWAY GRIZZLIES: The Gateway Grizzlies are a professional baseball team, located a mere 100-yards from I-255 (10 minutes from downtown St. Louis). The Grizzlies offer baseball fans entertainment, the likes of which are difficult to find - affordable, family, fun in the comfortable GCS Credit Union Ballpark with a great view of the St. Louis skyline. For tickets or general information please visit gatewaygrizzlies.com or call 618.337.3000.
ABOUT THE FRONTIER LEAGUE: The Frontier League is celebrating its 25th season as a professional, independent baseball organization. Since its inception, the Frontier League has provided millions of fans to a fun and exciting baseball experience within the American Midwest. Consisting of 12 teams in two divisions and 96 game schedules, the league is recognized for the amount of talented athletes that are picked up by various MLB teams every year.