FOR RELEASE: JUNE 23, 2008
ROTHFORD LEADS GRIZZLIES PAST RASCALS
Chad Rothford homered and drove in a game-high four runs as the Gateway Grizzlies knocked off the first-place River City Rascals 8-4 in front of 2,493 at GCS Ballpark.
Rothford, playing in his second game after being acquired in a trade with Kalamazoo, homered in his first at-bat in the first inning Monday night. The homer, his fifth of the year, put the Grizzlies up 2-0. Charlie Lisk followed with his league-leading 11th home run of the year to make it 3-0 Grizzlies.
Jeff Miller homered in the second inning for River City (18-14) to cut the lead to 3-1.
Rothford made it 4-1 Grizzlies with an RBI single in the third.
Bobby Mosby hit his fifth home run of the year in the fourth to cut it to 4-2. The Rascals then tied the score with a pair of runs in the fifth off Grizzlies starter Brandon Williams. Williams would leave the game in the fifth with soreness in his right elbow.
Joel Boeschen (1-0) relieved Williams and tossed 2.1 scoreless innings to earn the first win in his pro career. Boeschen allowed just two h its and struck out three.
Rothford gave the Grizzlies the lead for good with his fourth RBI of the night in the fifth inning. Rothford hit a sacrifice fly to center to score Robbie Minor, who had singled earlier in the inning.
Michael Campbell hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the eighth to make it 8-4 Grizzlies and secure the win.
Jonathan Miller (2-3) suffered the loss for the Rascals. Miller lasted six innings allowing five runs, four earned on six hits.