Grizzlies catcher Chase Vallot had the team’s only two hits in Wednesday’s 2-1 loss to Windy City. (Photo by Cedric Williams)
by Cedric Williams
Senior Editor
SAUGET, IL — It was Kids Run The Bases Night at GCS Credit Union Ballpark, Wednesday night.
Unfortunately, the Gateway Grizzlies took that a bit too literally in its game against the Windy City ThunderBolts. Gateway managed just two hits and only three other baserunners total (none after the fourth inning) in a 2-1 loss to Windy City.
The ThunderBolts had just seven hits themselves. But they got the two that mattered most, in a two-run fifth inning that proved to be the difference in the game.
Left fielder Zac Taylor got an infield hit, following an error that put a man on. And right fielder Daniel Robinson followed with a line-shot double into the left-field gap that scored both runners and gave Windy City a lead it wouldn’t lose.
After that point, the Grizzlies didn’t put up much of a fight. Catcher Chase Vallot had Gateway’s only two hits on the night, both doubles. But that was almost all the offense Gateway could muster on the night.
The Grizzlies did get a run in the bottom of the second inning, thanks to a hit batter, a Windy City error, and a sacrifice fly by shortstop Justin Jones.
Gateway’s final base runner of the night was Jones, who drew a two-out walk in the bottom of the fourth. From there, the Grizzlies went three-up and three-down in every inning the rest of the game due to the strong pitching by Windy City starter Tyler Thornton (2-0), who got the win, and reliever Miguel Ausua, who got the save.
Lefty starter Sebastian Kessay (0-1) was the tough luck loser for the Grizzlies. He pitched 5 2/3 fantastic innings and only allowed the two runs on six hits with five strikeouts.
Unfortunately, Gateway (2-4) could only manage the two hits on its way to its fourth loss of the season. The Grizzlies will get a chance to get back on the winning track on Thursday, when they’ll play Windy City again.
First pitch is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. Veteran righthander Jorge Tavarez (0-0) is due to start for the Grizzlies, while Windy City is expected to start second-year lefty Kenny Mathews (0-1).