(Photo Credit: Paul Baillargeon)
The Gateway Grizzlies took the opener of a three-game series against the Southern Illinois Miners on Tuesday night, as rookie right-hander Trevor Richards (2-4) dazzled through 7 innings on the mound while allowing just one run at Rent One Park.
Richards, who was making his sixth professional start, allowed just five hits while cruising to his second win of the season. Gateway has now won three games in a row.
The Grizzlies (20-34) got the scoring started early in the first inning against RHP Jarrett Miller (3-2). Cody Livesay led off the game with a walk and it was followed by Madison Beaird’s single. Livesay scored on Ben Waldrip’s sacrifice fly while Beaird was plated on Miners’ first baseman Joe Rapp’s throwing error. The Grizzlies led 2-0 after the first half inning.
Gateway’s offense would add another run in the fifth inning on Waldrip’s RBI double. They took a 4-0 advantage on Richard Seigel’s run-scoring double to left center field in the sixth.
Richards ran into trouble in the seventh inning and allowed an RBI ground out to Steve Marino, which got the Miners (35-20) on the board.
The Grizzlies’ bullpen shut the door with two scoreless innings of work. RHP Jordan Wellander pitched a scoreless eigth inning while newly appointed Gateway closer Tyler Thompson hurled a scoreless ninth. Thompson picked up his first professional save.
The Grizzlies and Miners play the second game of their series on Wednesday evening in Marion. RHP Max Schonfeld (2-4, 4.00 ERA) takes the mound for Gateway against Miners RHP Jon Klein (1-0, 2.84 ERA). First pitch is at 7:05 p.m. The game can be heard on the Grizzlies Radio Network, which airs on 101 ESPN’s digital platforms and 1400 AM KJFF. Sam Levitt will call the action.
