SAUGET, Ill. — Jonathan Piron drove in six runs and Will Anderson posted a quality start to push the Gateway Grizzlies to a 9-7 win Thursday night over the Washington Wild Things at GCS Credit Union Ballpark.
Gateway (14-17) salvaged a win in the series finale and still has not been swept this season. Anderson (2-0) tossed six innings and allowed only two earned runs. He struck out a career-high 10 in his first start since May 20 after a multi-week stint on the injured list.
Anderson had to endure a 43-minute rain delay prior to first pitch, then — after only one batter and two minutes of action to start the game — another 33-minute weather delay in the top of the first inning.
Washington (20-10) scored three runs in the first two innings, and the Wild Things seemed well on their way to extending their nine-game winning streak.
Piron tied the game, though, with a three-run missile over the wall in left-center field. Washington center fielder James Harris took only two steps before watching the ball sail out of the ballpark and deep into the Sauget night.
Gateway scored in the third inning on a Blake Brown solo homer — his fifth of the season and third of the seven-game homestand — and tallied another run in the fourth before a four-run fifth inning put the game out of reach. Piron provided a three-run double in that inning. Thursday night marked Piron’s third game this season with multiple extra-base hits; he smacked two doubles Wednesday.
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Washington scored four runs on the Grizzlies’ bullpen in the eighth inning: Hector Roa and Mike Hill hit home runs on back-to-back pitches. Roa’s homer was his third in the series — one in each game.
After a 3-4 homestand, the Grizzlies head back to the road for a six-game trip. They open a three-game series in Joliet at 7:05 p.m. Friday. After taking Monday off, the Grizzlies will finish the road swing with three games in O’Fallon, Missouri, against the River City Rascals next Tuesday-Thursday.
Gateway will return home next Friday for a three-game set against the Normal CornBelters.
