FOR RELEASE: SEPTEMBER 2, 2008

GRIZZLIES CLINCH FINAL PLAYOFF SPOT WITH 4-2 WIN

SAUGET, IL-The Gateway Grizzlies won their sixth consecutive game Tuesday night, defeating the Southern Illinois Miners 4-2 to clinch the fourth and final playoff spot in the Frontier League.  The Grizzlies will make their second consecutive playoff appearance and their fourth in franchise history.

The Grizzlies (51-44) trailed 2-0 before loading the bases against Miners' reliever Jake McMurran.  Alex Kerins drilled a two-strike pitch to the gap in right-center field, clearing the bases and giving the Grizzlies a 3-2 lead.  Gateway added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth when Carter McQuigg scored on a two-out error.

Southern Illinois (57-38) scored a pair of runs in the second inning to take a 2-0 lead.

Derek Blacksher (10-8) earned the win for the Grizzlies.  Blacksher allowed the two runs on four hits over seven innings.  He walked four and struck out eight.