Thompson Dazzles in Final Outing as Grizzlies Cruise to Another Win
September 4, 2015 - Frontier League (FL)
Gateway Grizzlies News Release
SAUGET, Ill. -- RHP Tyler Thompson pitched 7.2 strong innings and the Gateway offense backed him up with 10 runs to help the Grizzlies cruise to a series opening 10-3 win over the Lake Erie Crushers on Friday night at GCS Ballpark.
Thompson (5-5) hadn't started a game since July 11th. He didn't show any rust in his final outing of the season, allowing only three runs on six hits.
The Grizzlies made things easier on Thompson by jumping out to a 5-0 lead after two innings. Cody Livesay scored the first Gateway run in the first inning after scoring on a wild pitch. He singled to start the game, advanced to second on a groundout and came home after two wild pitches.
A leadoff walk hurt Lake Erie RHP Matt Brankle (3-2) in the second. The walk and an error put two runners on to start the inning. Garrett Vail then came through with an RBI double to score Blake Brown and put Gateway up 2-0. The hit parade continued later in the inning. Ryan Johns delivered an RBI single to put Gateway up 3-0 and after Livesay hit into a fielder's choice, the lead was up to four runs. Seth Heck added to the lead with a double to score Johns. Gateway led 5-0 after two innings.
Thompson allowed one run on three hits in the fourth inning, but Gateway quickly answered with five runs in the bottom half. Ben Waldrip delivered a big two-RBI single in the inning and Blake Brown also launched his 22nd home run of the year to put Gateway on top 10-1. The Grizzlies other run in the inning was scored on a wild pitch.
Lake Erie's bats continued to be troubled by Thompson. Juan Sanchez hit a two-run home run with two outs in the eighth inning to cut the lead to 10-3.
Collin Shaw recorded the final four outs of the game to secure the victory. The Grizzlies have now won 13 of their last 16 games and will try to get their sixth straight series victory tomorrow night.
LHP Jordan Spencer (3-1, 3.24) will take the mound for Gateway and RHP Zach Morton (5-4, 3.68) will pitch for the Crushers. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. Sam Levitt and Kevin Schaefer will call the action on the Grizzlies Radio Network, which airs on 101 ESPN's digital networks and 1400 AM KJFF.
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