Grizzlies Sweep Wild Things in Front of 7,611 Fans
July 4, 2013 - Frontier League (FL)
Gateway Grizzlies News Release
SAUGET, IL - Gateway Grizzlies first baseman Jose Flores sent a crowd of 7,611 fans into a frenzy Thursday night with a two-run go-ahead home run in the eighth inning to propel the Grizzlies to a 9-7 defeat of the Washington Wild Things at GCS Ballpark.
The 7,611 fans was the third largest crowd in franchise history. The Grizzlies averaged 6,962 fans the last two night's of their series with the Wild Things.
Down 7-6 in the eighth inning, Flores blasted his fourth home run of the season to start off a three-run eighth inning that pushed the Grizzlies ahead 9-7.
The win was the Grizzlies 19th in their last 25 games and it gave them the series sweep.
Gateway (27-13) raced out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Jonathan Johnson and Chris McClendon drew walks before Landon Hernandez brought in his 13th run of the homestand with a single. Jet Butler followed up by driving in McClendon on a fielder's choice.
Max Ayarza, who got his first start since June 23rd, knocked in Butler on a single to extend the Grizzlies lead to three runs in the fourth.
Washington tied the game at three with two home runs in the fifth off of Gateway starting pitcher Matt Sergey. Shain Stoner hit a solo home run while Alex Buccilli blasted a two run home run, which was his first career.
Sergey allowed only one earned run in five innings. He received a no decision in his Grizzlies debut.
Gateway regained the lead in the bottom of the fifth. Michael Pair brought in a run with a bases loaded walk and 21-year-old Max Ayarza plated a run on a single.
Washington answered in the sixth with three runs to take a one run lead. CJ Beatty drew a leadoff walk and Stewart Ijames blasted the third Washington home run of the game to even the score. Scott Kalamar drove in a run with a double to give Washington the lead.
Gateway tied the game in the sixth with a McClendon RBI single, but Washington took the lead again in the seventh on a Jovan Rosa solo home run.
Zac Treece (5-0) picked up the win for Gateway, firing a scoreless inning of relief.
Richard Barrett notched his 10th save of the season.
The Grizzlies travel to Normal Friday for a matchup with the CornBelters. Tucker Jensen (4-2) gets the start for the Grizzlies. First pitch is set for 7:00 at the Corn Crib.
Frontier League Stories from July 4, 2013
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- Miners Fall on the Fourth - Southern Illinois Miners
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- CornBelters Keep Freedom from Ringing in 4-2 Win - Normal CornBelters
- Military Appreciation Night, Fireworks Coming To Freedom July 5th Weekend - Florence Y'alls
- Kresky Homers Again in Loss - Evansville Otters
- Slammers vs. Greys - Game Notes - July 4, 2013 - Joliet Slammers
- Aviators Beat Otters 11-3 to Take Series - Rockford Aviators
- Aviators at Home Today - Rockford Aviators
- Otters Go For Series Win On Independance Day - Evansville Otters
- CornBelters Beat Freedom in 12 Innings - Florence Y'alls
- Belters Battle Back, Beat Freedom in 12 Innings - Normal CornBelters
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