Grizzlies Unable to Overcome Early Deficit in Loss to Slammers
Published on August 12, 2015 under Frontier League (FL)
Gateway Grizzlies News Release
SAUGET, Ill. -- The Gateway Grizzlies couldn't erase an early deficit in a series-opening 3-2 loss to the Joliet Slammers on Tuesday night at GCS Ballpark.
The Grizzlies (27-45) were held scoreless through the first seven innings. Joliet (30-43) jumped out to an early lead and never trailed.
Gateway brought the winning run to the plate in the ninth after plating two runs in the eighth inning, but couldn't pull off a comeback.
The two Gateway runs were driven in by shortstop Seth Heck. Heck came up with two outs and Gateway trailing 3-0 and delivered a huge hit. His double down the left field line scored Madison Beaird and Cody Livesay and shrunk the deficit to a single run at 3-2. The two-RBI double was Heck's first extra-base hit of the season.
Ben Waldrip singled to begin the ninth inning, but the Gateway offense couldn't bring him home. Navery Moore got Tyler Tewell to ground out to end the game and earn his 14th save of the season.
The Slammers tallied a run in the first inning and two more in the sixth to secure the victory. All three runs came off of RHP Vincent Molesky (3-5) who took the loss after going 5.2 innings.
Phil Bates led off the game with a single to start things. The next batter, Nate Roberts, then doubled off the left field wall allowing Bates to score all the way from first. Joliet extended its lead to 3-0 with two runs in the sixth.
Molesky allowed the first three batters in the sixth inning to reach, which loaded the bases for Mike Garza. Garza lifted a fly ball to center field deep enough to score Roberts and extend their lead by one. John Cannon gave the Slammers their final run of the game with an RBI single later in the inning.
That hit would knock Molesky out of the game and proved to be all the run support the Slammers would need. RHP Lucas Crumley (1-0) picked up the win after allowing one run on two hits in five innings of work. He pitched in relief of Michael Carden who left the game in the third inning after he was struck in the head with a line drive. Carden walked off the field under his own power.
The Grizzlies and Slammers will continue their series Wednesday night at GCS Ballpark. RHP Trevor Richards (4-5, 3.77) will take the mound for Gateway. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Sam Levitt and Kevin Schafer will call the action on the Grizzlies Radio Network, which airs on 101 ESPN's digital platforms and 1400 AM KJFF.
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