FOR RELEASE: MAY 29, 2008

GRIZZLIES DROP SEVENTH IN A ROW

The Gateway Grizzlies dropped their seventh consecutive game Thursday night, falling to Southern Illinois 11-4 in front of 4,097 at Rent One Park in Marion, IL.

The Grizzlies (1-8) led 1-0 after Mike Breyman was walked with the bases loaded in the first inning.  Southern Illinois (5-4) answered with a first inning run of their own to tie the score.  The Grizzlies loaded the bases with nobody out in the second, but settled again for a single run on a double-play ball from Jeff Vincent.  The Grizzlies led 2-1 after two innings.

Southern Illinois scored five times in the third inning off of Grizzlies starter Derek Blacksher (0-2).  Blacksher yielded the runs on three hits and three walks to take a 6-2 advantage.  They would add single runs in the fourth, fifth and seventh innings to go up 9-2.  Two more in the eighth made it 11-2.

The Grizzlies added a pair of runs on three hits in the ninth inning.  Al Barbato led off the inning with a triple, and then scored on a Robbie Minor RBI-single.  Minor Scored later in the inning on a sacrifice fly from Michael Campbell. 

Barbato was 1-2 with a pair of walks and two runs scored.  His triple was the only extra-base hit for the Grizzlies in the series. The three-hit ninth inning was also the first multiple hit inning in the series for the Grizzlies.

Mike Breyman snapped an 18 at-bat hitless streak with a single in the sixth inning.  He was 1-3 with the RBI.

Blacksher lasted just four innings for the Grizzlies.  He allowed seven runs on seven hits.  He struck out five, but walked five.

Former Grizzlie Chris Little earned the win for Southern Illinois.  Little went seven innings, allowing two runs on four hits.  He struck out six and walked five.