McKEITHAN, BROWN PACE GRIZZLIES TO WIN
O'FALLON, Mo. — The Gateway Grizzlies (12-34) jumped out in front with three runs over the first seven pitches of the game and hung on for a 6-5 victory over the River City Rascals (21-24) on Saturday night.
Gateway led 4-1 after four innings, but River City came back to tie the game at four apiece after five innings. After retaking the lead with single runs in both the sixth and eighth innings, the Grizzlies allowed a solo homer to the Rascals' Jimmy Kerrigan in the bottom of the eighth to cut the lead down to one.
In the ninth, former Grizzlie Brandon Thomas singled and stole second base for River City, putting the potential tying run at second base with only one out. Rascals veteran Johnny Morales sent a sharp liner to the right side that looked earmarked for right field, but Gateway first baseman Jack Hranec made a diving stab to his right, then threw from his knees to Brent Sakurai at second base to double off Thomas and end the game.
Blake Brown had two more hits, including a two-run double in the first inning. He improved his RBI total to 37.
Joel McKeithan launched his first Gateway homer in the fourth inning as part of his 3-4 game with a double, a home run and three RBIs.
Javier Reynoso (1-0) picked up his first win of the year with 1 1/3 scoreless innings out of the bullpen. Kaleb Earls recorded the final four outs of the game for his fourth save this season in four chances.
With the series now even at a game apiece, the Grizzlies take on River City again in the series finale tomorrow night at 6:35 p.m back home at GCS Credit Union Ballpark in Sauget. Coverage starts at 6:20 p.m. 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.