Miners Take Series on Walk Off
August 26, 2012 - Frontier League (FL)
Southern Illinois Miners News Release
Marion, IL - The Southern Illinois Miners had their first walk off win of the season with a solo home run by Will Block in the bottom of the 10th inning to give the Miners a 6-5 win. The Miners take the series two games to one over Windy City and move closer to pursing a wild card spot in the playoffs. Miners starter Shawn Gilblair pitched five innings in a no-decision and gave up three home runs, four runs total off eight hits.
Windy City took a 2-0 lead off Gilblair in the top of the second inning when left fielder Brandon Decker hit a two run home run. The Miners brought the game back within one run as Carlos Mendez hit a sacrifice fly off ThunderBolts starter Blayne Weller in the bottom of the second inning.
Windy City jumped ahead 4-1 in the top of the fifth inning off Gilblair when center fielder Jareck West and first baseman CJ Gillman hit back to back solo home runs. Gilblair would finish the inning and hand the game over to the bullpen. The Miners scored another run off Weller in the bottom of the fifth inning when Cannon Lester hit a lead off triple and was brought in on a RBI ground out by Alvaro Ramirez to make the score 4-2.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Cannon Lester hit a sacrifice fly off reliever Andy Mee to score Chad Maddox to bring the Miners within one run 4-3. The Miners tied the game at four in the bottom of the seventh inning when Javier Herrera scored on a wild pitch. Windy City would jump ahead 5-4 in the top of the eight inning off Darrin Tew as Brandon Decker hit a sacrifice fly to score second baseman Michael Torres.
The Miners would tie the game once again with a base hit and RBI by Javier Herrera, which ultimately sent the game into extra innings. After Brandon Cunniff pitched two scoreless innings in the top of the ninth and tenth, Will Block hit a walk off solo home run in the bottom of the tenth inning off ThunderBolts closer Willy Kesler to give the Miners a 6-5 win. The Miners would improve to 53-36 on the season with the win.
Nick Cicio pitched two scoreless innings in relief and Steven Grife tossed a scoreless inning as well for the Miners.
The Miners are off on Monday and head to Schaumburg to take on the Boomers for a three game set. Tuesday night's game will get underway at 6:30 with the Heartland Regional Medical Center Pregame Show on the Miners Radio Network at 6:10.
The Southern Illinois Miners have been awarded the Frontier League Organization of the Year three times since its inception. It has also set a new Frontier League attendance record in 2007. For media inquiries concerning the Miners, please contact Mike Ventola, Director of Media Relations 618-998-8499 ext. 8547 or mikev@southernillinoisminers.com. For ticket information please contact the Rent One Park Box Office at 618-998-8499. For any additional information, visit our website at www.southernillinoisminers.com.
Frontier League Stories from August 26, 2012
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- Miners Take Series on Walk Off - Southern Illinois Miners
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