Grizzlies Take Down Freedom in Series Opener
Published on August 31, 2010 under Frontier League (FL)
Gateway Grizzlies News Release
SAUGET, Ill.- Charlie Lisk drove in five runs and Mark Brackman won his league-leading 12th game of the year as the Gateway Grizzlies defeated the Florence Freedom 8-3 in the opener of a three-game series at GCS Ballpark.
The Grizzlies (51-38) have now won six straight and are a season-best 13 games over the .500 mark. The win, coupled with a River City loss, moves the Grizzlies to within one-half game of River City for second place and the final playoff spot in the West Division.
Jason Patton got the scoring started in the first with a two-out, two-run single to left. Gordie Gronkowski and Logan Parker each scored on the hit to put the Grizzlies up 2-0 after an inning. Lisk
Florence (36-55) scored a two-out run in the fifth to cut the lead to 2-1.
Lisk made it 3-1 with a sacrifice fly in the third inning. Parker doubled to lead off the inning then advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on Lisk's fly out to left field. Parker's double was his league-leading 27th of the year, to tie the Grizzlies single-season record. Parker finished the night 2 for 3 with the three runs.
The Grizzlies were leading 4-1 in the fourth when Lisk came up with the bases loaded. Lisk connected for his 21st home run of the year, and his second grand slam of the year. The five RBIs gave Lisk a league-leading 87 for the year to establish a new franchise record. Mike Breyman had 86 in 2006.
Lisk, who was honored in the second inning for becoming the Frontier League's all-time home run leader last week, finished the game 1 for 3.
Florence added single runs in the seventh, against Brackman, and the eighth against reliever David Miller for the final margin.
Brackman (12-4) allowed two runs over 6.2 innings for the win. He struck out five. Brackman is 10-0 in his last 12 starts. His 143.2 innings pitched this year also sets a new franchise record.
The Grizzlies and the Freedom will continue the series with a 6:35 game Wednesday night at GCS Ballpark.
Frontier League Stories from August 31, 2010
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- Grizzlies Take Down Freedom in Series Opener - Gateway Grizzlies
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- Despite Strong Pitching, Wild Things Fall to Crushers - Washington Wild Things
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- Miners to Visit Liberty Village for Wii Baseball Challenge - Southern Illinois Miners
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