Grizzlies Fall Just Short in Ninth
June 30, 2019 - Frontier League (FL)
Gateway Grizzlies News Release
SAUGET, Ill. - The Gateway Grizzlies took a 6-4 lead into the ninth inning Saturday but lost their advantage in the ninth for the second straight game in a 7-6 defeat at the hands of the Southern Illinois Miners at GCS Credit Union Ballpark.
Gateway (16-28) has lost three in a row and 13 of its last 15.
Chris Carden tossed six innings and allowed only two runs. He struck out a career-high 10 batters but did not factor in the decision. The Grizzlies dropped to 7-12 this season when they receive a quality start; they were 26-12 under the same circumstance in 2018.
Matt Brown celebrated his 25th birthday with a 3-for-5 performance and three RBIs. He doubled home a run in the fourth inning to make Saturday's game his fourth straight with an extra-base hit.
Gateway led 2-0 after one inning, 4-1 after two, 6-2 after six, and 6-4 after eight.
Southern Illinois (25-17) took advantage of a walk and a hit batsman following a leadoff single to load the bases in the ninth. An RBI walk cut the Grizzlies' lead to 6-5, then former Grizzlies first baseman Jamey Smart doubled to left-center field to drive in the tying and eventual winning runs for the Miners.
Gateway traded Smart for a player to be named later Friday. He is 5-for-10 with two RBIs over his first two Miners games.
Grizzlies closer Dakota Smith (0-2) took the loss and blown save for the second straight night.
Shawon Dunston Jr. and Luis Román added two hits apiece. Román had his first Grizzlies hit, run, RBI, and extra-base hit in his second game with the club. Dunston Jr. added two stolen bases.
Brent Sakurai went 1-for-1 with three walks, a sacrifice, and a steal.
Gateway and Southern Illinois will conclude their three-game series Sunday at 6:05 p.m. CDT. Ian Kahaloa is slated to pitch for the Grizzlies.
Frontier League Stories from June 30, 2019
- Schaumburg Sweep Pushes Freedom Streak to Four - Florence Y'alls
- Three-Run Sixth Gives the Rascals the Edge over the Otters in Rubber Match - Evansville Otters
- Boomers Swept by Florence - Schaumburg Boomers
- Rascals Win Rain-Shortened Finale - River City Rascals
- Washington Musters Just Three Hits in Rubber Game Loss - Washington Wild Things
- Game Three Postponed - Lake Erie Crushers
- Miners Come Back in Ninth Again to Stun Grizzlies - Southern Illinois Miners
- Otters Win in Comeback Fashion to Beat Rascals 6-4 - Evansville Otters
- Grizzlies Fall Just Short in Ninth - Gateway Grizzlies
- Romero's Quality Start Not Enough, Crushers Drop Game Two - Lake Erie Crushers
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