Miners Nipped Late At Joliet

(Press Release, Photo Credit: Carmen Arrigo/Arrigo Images)

The Southern Illinois Miners opened up the 2014 Frontier League season with a 5-4 loss to the Joliet Slammers at Silver Cross Field in Joliet on Friday night.

With the game tied at 3-3 in the bottom of the eighth, Joliet mounted a rally against the Miners’ bullpen, eventually resulting in the winning hit- a two-run single by designated hitter Russell Moldenhauer.

Southern Illinois put together a rally of their own in the top of the ninth, cutting the lead to 5-4 when Phil Butler came home to score on a pinch-hit walk followed by defensive indifference, a passed ball and a wild pitch. The Miners then loaded the bases on walks with two outs before a fielder’s choice ended the game on a chilly night in Joliet.

The Miners staked themselves to an early lead. In the first, Jon Eisen led off with a double, scoring later that inning on a sacrifice fly by Steve Marino. The following inning, after an error allowed Matt Howard to reach, Aaron Gates blasted a two-run home run on the first pitch he saw from Joliet starter Daniel Hernandez for a 3-0 Miners advantage.

Joliet, however, would come back with single runs in the second, third and fifth innings to tie the game before the bullpens battled late.

Gates led the Miners offense with a 2-for-4 performance, including the two-run home run. Eisen also added two hits, including a double. Wilson Rivera (0-1) took the loss in relief for Southern Illinois, while Chase Doremus (1-0) got the win for Joliet, also in relief. Ryan Connolly recorded the final out in the ninth for the save.

The Miners and Slammers will play game two of their three-game series this weekend on Saturday night at 6:05 p.m. Right-hander Miguel Ramirez will start for Southern Illinois, opposed by Joliet’s Blair Walters.

The Southern Illinois Miners are the 2012 Frontier League Champions and have been awarded the Frontier League Organization of the Year award three times since their inception. They also set a new Frontier League attendance record in 2007, their inaugural season. 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.