Gateway Rallies for 12-9 Victory
August 12, 2005 - Frontier League (FL)
Rockford RiverHawks News Release
Sauget, Ill. - The Gateway Grizzlies used an eight-run sixth inning to defeat the Rockford RiverHawks 12-9, taking the series opener.
In the sixth, Ben Margalski gave the Grizzlies an 11-8 lead with a two-out Grand Slam off Rockford reliever Curt Borland. Margalski's blast was just one of two Grand Slams in the game and only one of five home runs on the night.
In the fifth, Aaron McEachran hit a Grand Slam for his 12th homer of the year, setting a new career-high for home runs in a season.
In the first, Nick Johnson put Rockford ahead 3-0 with a two-run shot, his second as a RiverHawk and his ninth overall. Gateway's Phil Warren answered with a two-run homer of his own in the fourth to tie the game at 3-3. An inning after McEachran's blast, Olmo Rosario went deep for the second straight night, hitting a solo home run to give the âHawks an 8-3 lead.
Gateway recorded just three hits in the eight-run sixth. Rockford Starter Justin Olson gave up an infield single, hit a batter and walked three in the frame before exiting the game. Dave Dowling (2-3) entered and allowed an RBI single to Mike Breyman and a run-scoring walk to Thomari Story-Harden. Borland finished the inning but not before surrendering Margalski's Grand Slam, which put the Grizzlies on top for good.
Gateway starter Brandon Smith (10-3) went six innings, allowing eight runs, seven earned, on six hits for the win. Scott Patterson pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings for his fifth save.
The Grizzlies' rally in the sixth was delayed 20 minutes because of rain.
Rockford returns to Marinelli Field at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday, August 16, to begin a three-game homestand against Richmond. The series opener is a Dr. Pepper/7UP "2 For Tuesday," when fans buy two hot dogs for $2 or two soft drinks for $2.
The 'Hawks are the defending champions of the Frontier League, a 12-team independent professional baseball league in its 13th season. All games are broadcast live on WRHL-FM, 102.3 - the Hub.
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Frontier League Stories from August 12, 2005
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