MARION, IL-The Southern Illinois Miners scored seven unanswered runs Saturday night for an 8-7 win and a sweep of the Gateway Grizzlies at Rent One Park.
Brandon Jones two-out single in the bottom of the ninth capped the Miners comeback win.
Zack Gray (0-1) pitched the ninth for the Grizzlies. Mike Scanzano singled to begin the inning, then went to second when Brad Miller's ground ball was misplayed by Grizzlies shortstop Carter McQuigg. Joey Metroupolos popped out for the first out and Tim Dorn grounded into a fielder's choice for the second out. Jones came to the plate with runners on first and third and two outs.
The loss drops the Grizzlies five games back of division-leading Southern Illinois (35-25).
The Grizzlies (30-30) got off to a fast start, and built a 4-0 lead on eight hits over the first two innings. Mike Breyman homered in the second to put the Grizzlies up 1-0. Alex Kerins singled later in the inning to make it 2-0.
Charlie Lisk and Breyman each turned in RBI singles in the third inning to make it 3-0 Grizzlies.
The Grizzlies stretched the lead to six runs in the sixth inning. Kerins led off the inning with his second home run of the year. Breyman drove in his third run of the night with two outs to make it 6-1. Carter McQuigg scored on a throwing error to put the Grizzlies up 7-1.
Breyman finished 3-6 with his 14th home run of the year and three RBIs. He now has 50 RBIs to lead the team. It is the fourth straight year that Breyman has driven in at least 50 runs. Kerins was 3-4 with the homer and two RBIs.
Tim Dorn homered hit a three-run shot off Grizzlies starter Erik Dessau in the sixth to cut the Grizzlies lead to 7-4. Dessau went six innings. He allowed four runs on four hits.
Coby Mavroulis allowed a pair of runs on two hits and two walks in 2/3 of inning. Eric Ridener allowed the tying run on three hits and a walk over 1 1/3 innings.
Joe Pott
Broadcaster/Corporate Sales Associate
Gateway Grizzlies Frontier League Baseball
2007 West Division Champions
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