Miners Top Rockford 10-3
Published on August 2, 2011 under Frontier League (FL)
Southern Illinois Miners News Release
LOVES PARK, Ill. - The Miners blasted a season-high five home runs and extended their winning streak to four games with a 10-3 win over the Rockford RiverHawks Tuesday night at Road Ranger Stadium.
The Miners scored eight runs in the first three innings of the game and put it out of reach with a five-run third inning. Already up 3-1 entering the third, Nate Hall hit a two-run homer to extend the lead to 5-1. It was Hall's second home run in as many days. After Ken Gregory doubled and Sean Harrell singled, Rockford replaced starting pitcher Matt Gibbs. The first batter reliever Joey Gradney faced, Cannon Lester, hit a three-run homer to extend the lead to 8-1.
Ernie Banks gave the Miners an early lead with his two-run homer in the first inning, his second longball in six games with the Miners this season. He had just two homers in 42 games with Washington this season.
Ryan Zink earned the win for the Miners and broke a personal four-game losing streak. He allowed three runs in six innings, striking out four Rascals. Two of the three runs against him were solo home runs.
Miners rookie outfielder Ken Gregory led off the fourth inning with his first professional home run, giving the Miners a 9-1 lead.
Jason James and Matt Greener both hit solo home runs for Rockford.
Gabriel Shaw tossed two scoreless innings out of the bullpen for the Miners, and Erik Draxton pitched a perfect ninth inning.
Sean Coughlin extended the Miners lead to 10-3 with a solo home run in the eighth inning. It was his 10th home run of the season. He leads the team with 45 RBIs.
Will Block returned to the lineup after missing the last three games with a sprained thumb. He was hitless in three at-bats, but reached on a walk and was also hit by a pitch.
The Miners will continue the series with Rockford on Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. when David Harden (5-3, 2.78) makes the start for Southern Illinois against lefty AlexSzymanski (4-3, 3.73) at Road Ranger Stadium. The Miners return home on Tuesday, Aug. 9 for a 7:05 p.m. game against Rockford.
Frontier League Stories from August 2, 2011
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- Miners Mash Five Homers In 10-3 Win - Rockford RiverHawks
- Grizzlies Fall to Slammers in Game One of the Series - Gateway Grizzlies
- Miners Top Rockford 10-3 - Southern Illinois Miners
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