BROWN POWERS GRIZZLIES TO 7-4 WIN
SAUGET, Ill. — The Gateway Grizzlies (4-15) rode their best hitting and pitching performances of the year — from Blake Brown and Will Landsheft, respectively — to a 7-4, series-opening victory over the River City Rascals (9-10) Friday night at GCS Credit Union Ballpark.
Brown drove a pair of three-run homers — one in the first inning, one in the fourth inning — over the right-field wall. He drove in six of the Grizzlies' seven runs and scored the final remaining tally in the sixth inning.
Every Grizzlies starter reached base at least once.
Gateway pitchers — Mike Elwood and Kaleb Earls, in addition to Landsheft — combined to strike out nine in the ballgame without a single walk. It was the first game this year in which the Grizzlies have not issued a walk.
River City's Braxton Martinez also blasted two home runs, but his only combined to drive in three runs.
The Grizzlies continue their three-game series with River City tomorrow night, then finish the set and six-game homestand on Sunday. Tomorrow's first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. and can be heard on the Grizzlies Media Network.