Home Baseball Rascals Win Series Opener Over Grizzlies

Rascals Win Series Opener Over Grizzlies

by Press Release

(Photo Credit: Mick Lite)

Gateway infielder Michael Wing went 2-for-4 with a double in his debut, but the Grizzlies fell by the score of 4-2 Wednesday night at GCS Ballpark.

Wing, who was acquired in a trade with Joliet Monday, doubled in the first inning and singled and scored in the sixth inning.  The Pasadena, Calif. native also dazzled on the field defensively.

Wing’s double in the first inning advanced Jonathan Johnson to third base and helped Johnson score on a Chris McClendon RBI groundout to give the Grizzlies a 1-0 lead.

River City (37-39) tied the game in the second inning on a Will Block RBI groundout and took a 3-1 lead in the sixth inning on a Block two-run triple off the centerfield wall.

“We just didn’t play well enough to win and they (River City) did. It’s pretty simple,” Grizzlies manager Phil Warren said. “It’s hard to get down on Matt (Sergey), because he pitched well. But after walking Morales, he came back and threw a fastball to a fastball hitter (Block) and he hit the first pitch off the centerfield wall for a triple. That’s the difference of being a good pitcher and a great pitcher. You’ve got to be able to make a big pitch and get out of that situation.”

After Gateway (45-32) came within one run on a Landon Hernandez sacrifice fly in the bottom of the sixth, River City added an insurance run in the ninth inning on a successful Curran Redal squeeze bunt.

Right-hander Matt Sergey (2-2) took the loss for the Grizzlies.  The 24-year-old right-hander allowed three runs on five hits in six and two thirds innings.  Sergey collected eight strikeouts.

Along with Wing, Michael Pair had two hits for the Grizzlies (both doubles).  Gateway only managed six hits as a team.

The Grizzlies remained in a tie for first place in the West Division after Schaumburg lost as well to Rockford 4-1.

The Grizzlies and Rascals finish up their two-game series Thursday night.  Right-hander Tucker Jensen (6-5) gets the start for the Grizzlies and Right-hander Drew Benes (0-2) is on the bump for the Rascals.  First pitch is set for 7:05.

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