Grizzlies Come Close Again, But Lose to Washington
August 14, 2022 - Frontier League (FL)
Gateway Grizzlies News Release
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.
The Gateway Grizzlies are a professional baseball team, located a mere 10 minutes from downtown St. Louis in Sauget, Illinois. The Grizzlies offer baseball fans affordable, family fun at GCS Credit Union Ballpark with a great view of the St. Louis skyline. They have also won two Frontier League Organization of the Year Awards, three West Division titles, and the 2003 Frontier League Championship. For tickets or general information, please visit gatewaygrizzlies.com or call (618) 337-3000.
The Frontier League debuted in 1993, and is the largest of the Major League Baseball Partner Leagues, featuring teams stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mississippi River, and from the Ohio River to the St. Lawrence Seaway. More information and the complete 2022 schedule can be found at frontierleague.com.
Frontier League Stories from August 14, 2022
- Grizzlies Erupt in First to Snap Skid, Beat Wild Things - Gateway Grizzlies
- Wild Things Drop Finale, End Road Trip 5-1 - Washington Wild Things
- 'Cats Complete Sweep of Greys Behind Gonzalez's Complete Game Shutout - Tri-City ValleyCats
- Schaumburg Sweeps Bolts in Doubleheader - Windy City ThunderBolts
- Y'alls Bounce Back, Shut out Lake Erie - Florence Y'alls
- Crushers Silenced in Series Finale - Lake Erie Crushers
- Boomers Rally to Doubleheader Sweep - Schaumburg Boomers
- Aigles Take Rubber Game Of Series With Boulders - New York Boulders
- 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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