WEST STRONG AGAIN, BUT GRIZZLIES FALL SHORT
O'FALLON, Mo. — The Gateway Grizzlies (24-57) took a 3-1 lead in the fifth inning Wednesday night on Brent Sakurai's second home run in as many games, but the River City Rascals (45-37) scored two runs in the seventh and two more in the eighth en route to a 5-4 win.
Gateway out-hit River City, 14-6, but left 11 runners on base against the Rascals' three stranded.
In Sakurai's first 35 games as a professional, he did not have a home run and collected only five RBIs. In just two games this week against River City, Sakurai had two homers and drove in six runs. He followed his grand slam Tuesday by crushing a drive to left-center field tonight.
River City outfielder Josh Silver answered with a two-run shot of his own in the bottom of the seventh to tie the score.
Mike Jurgella and Jason Merjano drove in a run apiece in the Rascals' two-run eighth to take a 5-3 lead.
Gateway battled back in the ninth inning. Matt Hearn led off with a single, and Sakurai followed with one of his own. Joel McKeithan reached on a Merjano error, and the Grizzlies had loaded the bases with nobody out for slugging outfielder Blake Brown.
After Brown struck out swinging against River City closer Cody Mincey, Cody Livesay drove in a run on a fielder's choice to bring the Grizzlies within a run. Evan Rogers could not finish the rally, however, striking out to strand runners on the corners and end the game.
Mike Elwood (3-1) took the loss in relief for the Grizzlies. He allowed both eighth-inning runs on a hit and a walk.
Ja'Vaun West turned in his third straight quality start on the mound, but received his third straight no-decision. He hurled seven innings, over which he allowed three runs on five hits while striking out six and walking only one.
McKeithan was 3-for-5 with a double; Hearn picked up two hits and two runs; Livesay finished 3-out-of-5 with an RBI. Jack Hranec was 2-for-4 with a double.
After an off day Thursday, the Grizzlies return home to start a six-game homestand Friday night against the Normal CornBelters. First pitch is slated for 7:05 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.