Brendan Murphy led off the ninth inning with a home run Monday night to lead the visiting Kalamazoo Kings to a 3-2 win over the Gateway Grizzlies and a 2 games to 1 series lead in the best of five first round playoff series. Game four is Tuesday night at GCS Ballpark.
The home run came off Grizzlies starter Derek Blacksher (0-1). Blacksher tossed the complete game, allowing three runs on only four hits. He struck out 10.
Both teams scored first inning runs Monday night. Charlie Lisk singled to drive in Robbie Minor in the bottom of the first to even the game at one. It stayed that way until the home half of the fifth.
Alex Kerins led off the inning with a single, and then scored on a two-out triple by Minor.
Simon Williams led off the seventh inning with a home run to tie the score at two.
Brandon Parillo (1-0) earned the win in relief for the Kings. Parillo retired Mike Breyman and Lisk to end the eighth with Minor at second base. He finished the night with a perfect ninth inning.