FOR RELEASE: SEPTEMBER 5, 2008

GRIZZLIES TAKE GAME ONE FROM KINGS

KALAMAZOO, MI- Eric Ridener struck out 11 hitters and Mike Breyman added a two-run home run Friday night as the Gateway Grizzlies defeated the Kalamazoo Kings 6-1 in game one of a best-of-five first round playoff series at Homer Stryker Field.

Ridener (1-0) beat the Kings for the second time this season, allowing one unearned run, on just two hits over seven innings.  The 11 strikeouts tie a Grizzlies post-season record for strikeouts in a start.  Joel Boeschen tossed the final two innings for the save.

Mike Breyman hit a two-run home run in the third inning to put the Grizzlies up 2-0.  He finished the night 4-4 with the homer, two RBIs, and two runs scored.  Breyman's four hits establishes a new franchise record for hits in a playoff game.

The Grizzlies led 3-1 before scoring three more times in the ninth.  Brandon Peters added a two-out, two-run single to cap the inning.  Peters was 2-4 with the pair of RBIs.

Carter McQuigg and Alex Kerins each added RBIs in the win for the Grizzlies.

The win is the first in the post-season for the Grizzlies since game four of the first round in 2004.