FOR RELEASE: JUNE 20, 2008

GRIZZLIES EDGE THUNDERBOLTS

The Gateway Grizzlies edged the Windy City Thunderbolts 8-7 Friday night in front of 5,261 at GCS Ballpark.

The Grizzlies (14-15) took the lead with a three-run first inning.  Robbie Minor, Mike Breyman and Manny Paula each added RBIs in the inning.

Breyman added a solo home run in the third to put the Grizzlies up 4-1.

Windy City (14-15) got a home run from Corey Stang in the fourth to cut the lead to 4-3.  They took a brief 6-5 lead with three runs in the fifth inning off of Grizzlies starter Derek Blacksher.

The Grizzlies would re-gain the lead with a pair of runs in the fifth. Paula and Stephen Holdren added RBIs in the inning to put the Grizzlies up 7-6.  Windy City would again tie the game with a run in the sixth.

Holdren scored the eventual game-winner in the bottom of the sixth, when he scored on a wild pitch.

Paula finished the night 4-4 with three singles, a triple and two RBIs. Paula also made a game-saving, sliding catch down the right field line in the eighth inning.  Had he not made the catch, the tying run would have scored.

Blacksher earned the win for the Grizzlies to improve to 4-2.  The win is his fourth consecutive.  He allowed seven run over six innings of work.  He struck out seven and walked two.