FOR RELEASE: JULY 9, 2007
GRIZZLIES SET FRANCHISE MARK WITH 12TH STRAIGHT WIN
The Gateway Grizzlies set a new franchise record Monday afternoon, defeating the Windy City ThunderBolts 9-6 for their 12th consecutive win. The Grizzlies improved to a league-best 36-10 with the win in Crestwood, IL.
Dustin Roberts led the charge for the Grizzlies going 4-5 with a pair of solo home runs and three RBIs. Roberts led off the fourth with his 14th long ball of the year to put the Grizzlies up 1-0. Greg Andrews would make it 2-0 with a sacrifice fly later in the inning that scored Mike Breyman.
Windy City cut the lead to 2-1 with a run in the fourth, then took the lead with two in the fifth against Grizzlies starter Erik Dessau.
Dessau (7-0) would pitch six innings for the win, allowing the three runs on five hits.
The Grizzlies answered in the sixth. Roberts led off the inning with his 15th homer of the year. Andrews added his second RBI of the day with a single that again scored Breyman. The Grizzlies led 4-3 and never trailed again.
They made it 7-3 with three runs in the seventh. Roberts doubled to drive in a run and Eric Beck doubled to bring two to the plate.
Windy City (34-12) added two in the seventh off of Grizzlies reliever Brandon Kellbach to make it 7-5. James Hertel gave up an eighth inning run that cut the lead to 7-6 before the Grizzlies answered again.
Gateway scored twice in the ninth off of Windy City closer Matt Petty to seal the victory. Ryan Sullivan drove in Roberts and then Andrews singled to score Sullivan.
Andrews finished 2-4 with three RBIs. Beck was 2-4 with the two RBIs. Mike Breyman was 3-4 and has now reached base in all 21 road games the Grizzlies have played this season.
Eric Ridener pitched a perfect ninth, striking out one, for his league leading 14th save of the year.
The Frontier League All-Star break takes place Tuesday-Thursday of this week. The Grizzlies will welcome Windy City to GCS Ballpark for a three-game series beginning Friday night. Game time is 7:05 p.m.