(PRESS RELEASE, PHOTO: MICK LITE)
The Southern Illinois Miners (49-42) were defeated on Friday night by a score of 6-4 to the River City Rascals. Miners starter Michael Carden (0-4) received the loss as he allowed five runs through 5 1/3 innings pitched. With the loss, the Miners are now one game back in the wild card race.
River City struck first as short stop Johnny Morales hit a RBi single in the bottom of the third inning off Carden to give the Rascals a 1-0 lead. The Rascals scored three more runs off Carden in the bottom of the fourth inning to extend their lead to 4-0.
With two runners on and one out in the top of the sixth inning, Ken Gregory hit a three-run home run off Rascals starter Cory Caruso to bring the Miners within one run 4-3. River City added a run in the bottom of the sixth inning off Carden to take a 5-3 lead. The Rascals scored their final run of the game in the bottom of the eighth inning off Miners reliever Pete Perez to take a 6-3 lead.
The Miners and Rascals will return to action on Saturday evening at TR Hughes Ballpark. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm.
