JOLIET, Ill. — After scoring to take a 2-1 lead in the sixth inning, the Gateway Grizzlies (17-40) allowed the Joliet Slammers (26-28) to score once in the seventh and five times in the eighth en route to a 7-2 loss Wednesday.
Terry McClure tied the game at one for Gateway with his fourth homer of the season, a solo shot over the right-field fence in the fourth inning. He drove in two runs for the ballgame.
McClure’s second RBI brought Matt Hearn in to score in the sixth, giving the Grizzlies their only lead. Hearn extended his hitting streak to 18 games.
Unfortunately for the Grizzlies, the bullpen could not protect their 2-1 lead in the later innings.
Alec Kisena’s strong start went for naught; he settled for a no-decision. Kisena worked 6 1/3 innings, over which he allowed only two runs on two hits. He struck out seven. It was the Grizzlies’ second straight quality start.
Gateway and Joliet will meet again tomorrow finale of their three-game series. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Thursday.
