Grizzlies Come Close Again, But Lose to Washington
August 14, 2022 - Frontier League (FL)
Gateway Grizzlies News Release
Sauget, IL - The Gateway Grizzlies came about as close as can be to snapping their three-game losing streak on Saturday night at GCS Credit Union Ballpark, but stranded a season-high 15 runners on base in total, including the tying run at third base in both the eighth and ninth in a 4-3 loss to the Washington Wild Things.
After escaping an early jam in the first inning, Gateway starter Lukas Veinbergs (4-1) ran into trouble again in the top of the second, leading to an RBI, infield single from Scotty Dubrule with two outs which gave Washington the early 1-0 lead. The Grizzlies responded two innings later in the bottom of the fourth, when Jay Prather led off with a walk and advanced to second base on a throwing error by Washington starter Justin Showalter (2-0) on a pickoff attempt. Zach Racusin then drove him in with an RBI single to get Gateway on the board at 1-1.
Washington's offense got back to work in the top of the sixth inning, getting five straight hits and scoring three runs to take the lead back at 4-1. But Nick Kennedy escaped further damage, and the Grizzlies responded quickly in the bottom of the frame on a two-out RBI single by Abdiel Diaz to get back within 4-2. The Grizzlies had another run scoring chance in the seventh and failed to capitalize, but made it a 4-3 game in the eighth on an RBI single by Isaac Benard. With the tying run at third base and no one out, however, the run stopped there. The score would remain 4-3 heading into the bottom of the ninth inning, though, thanks to John Murphy striking out the side in the top half.
In the bottom of the ninth against Washington closer Lukas Young, Clint Freeman singled with one out and Trevor Achenbach was hit by a pitch to put the winning run on base. After a wild pitch moved the runners to second and third, including the tying run to third base for the second inning in a row, Diaz grounded into a fielder's choice to the drawn-in shortstop Nick Ward, who preventing Freeman from scoring the tying run by throwing home for the second out. Young then struck out Ian Bibiloni swinging to end the ballgame as the Grizzlies again came up just a hair short in their comeback attempt.
The Gateway Grizzlies will look to salvage the series and end their now-four-game losing streak on Sunday, August 14 at 5:45 p.m. in the series finale in Sauget.
Frontier League Stories from August 14, 2022
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- Otters Drop Fifth Straight to Conclude Series - Evansville Otters
- Titans Explode for Five in Eighth to Defeat Capitales, Take Two of Three - Ottawa Titans
- Clutch Hitting Leads to 'Cats Victory over Empire State - Tri-City ValleyCats
- Grizzlies Come Close Again, But Lose to Washington - Gateway Grizzlies
- Grizzlies Come Close Again, But Lose to Washington - Gateway Grizzlies
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