EVANSVILLE, Ind. — The Gateway Grizzlies took a 2-0 lead in the first two innings and Mike Elwood tossed 6 1/3 shutout innings, but a grand slam with two outs in the eighth inning delivered the Evansville Otters a 4-2 win Wednesday night at Bosse Field.
Josh Glick wiggled the Grizzlies out of a tight spot — Otters at second and third, two outs — in the seventh inning, but Grant Black (0-3) could not do the same in the eighth. Colton Freeman loaded the bases on a single and a pair of walks, then Black entered and allowed a two-out grand slam to Evansville designated hitter Travis Harrison over the left-field wall. Three runs were charged to Freeman, but Black took the loss.
Gateway (11-12) picked up three hits in the first inning, including a Trae Santos RBI single. Santos has driven in 11 runs in his last eight games. Matt Gonzalez continued a torrid start to his Grizzlies tenure with a one-out triple in the second inning, and he came in to score on Kevin Martir‘s first Gateway hit.
After they did not have a triple in their first 21 games, the Grizzlies have hit two triples — Terry McClure on Tuesday, Gonzalez on Wednesday — in as many games in Evansville. Both came with one out in their respective second innings.
Elwood ensured the 2-0 lead would stand up for the duration of his outing: He allowed only three hits and two walks over 6 1/3 scoreless frames and struck out four, but did not factor in the decision.
Santos was 2-for-2 with an RBI, a double and two walks. Gonzalez added two hits of his own.
Gateway and Evansville will play the rubber match of their three-game set Thursday at 6:35 p.m. at Bosse Field.
