LATE LEAD SLIPS AWAY, GRIZZLIES DROP GAME TWO
EVANSVILLE, Ind. — The Gateway Grizzlies took a 2-0 lead in the first two innings and Mike Elwood tossed 6 1/3 shutout innings, but a grand slam with two outs in the eighth inning delivered the Evansville Otters a 4-2 win Wednesday night at Bosse Field.
Josh Glick wiggled the Grizzlies out of a tight spot — Otters at second and third, two outs — in the seventh inning, but Grant Black (0-3) could not do the same in the eighth. Colton Freeman loaded the bases on a single and a pair of walks, then Black entered and allowed a two-out grand slam to Evansville designated hitter Travis Harrison over the left-field wall. Three runs were charged to Freeman, but Black took the loss.
Gateway (11-12) picked up three hits in the first inning, including a Trae Santos RBI single. Santos has driven in 11 runs in his last eight games. Matt Gonzalez continued a torrid start to his Grizzlies tenure with a one-out triple in the second inning, and he came in to score on Kevin Martir's first Gateway hit.
After they did not have a triple in their first 21 games, the Grizzlies have hit two triples — Terry McClure on Tuesday, Gonzalez on Wednesday — in as many games in Evansville. Both came with one out in their respective second innings.
Elwood ensured the 2-0 lead would stand up for the duration of his outing: He allowed only three hits and two walks over 6 1/3 scoreless frames and struck out four, but did not factor in the decision.
Santos was 2-for-2 with an RBI, a double and two walks. Gonzalez added two hits of his own.
Gateway and Evansville will play the rubber match of their three-game set Thursday at 6:35 p.m. at Bosse Field.
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 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.