Gateway Bullpen Shines Despite Loss In Series Opener

Sauget, Ill. – The Gateway Grizzlies dropped Tuesday night’s game 4-3 to the Schaumburg Boomers despite a stellar performance from Gateway’s bullpen. Four relievers combined to throw 5.1 innings without surrendering a hit as Schaumburg still won the series opener.

After LHP Jon Jones (2-2) allowed four runs in the fourth inning, RHP Jon Pusateri replaced him and retired all four batters he faced. RHP Jordan Wellander provided consistency while retiring six in a row with three strikeouts. RHP Ja’Vaun West and RHP Kevin Jefferis both chipped in with scoreless frames.

The Grizzlies (30-33) struck first against Boomers starter Seth Webster (6-6). Cody Livesay began the game with a double and would come home on Seth Heck’s RBI groundout.

In the second, Zach Lavy smashed his second professional homer to deep right field as Gateway took a 2-0 edge. Despite the early woes, Webster would settle down to go seven innings while allowing just those two runs.

Jones cruised through the first three innings in his third start of the year, but hit a rough patch in the fourth. Paul Kronenfeld singled to begin the frame while Kenny Towns doubled with one out to put a pair of runners in scoring position. Mikal Hill then hit a two-run single to tie the game at 2-2.

With the bases loaded and two outs, Zack Weigel laced a two-RBI single to give the Boomers (28-34) a 4-2 lead.

RHP Evan Boyd replaced Webster in the eighth and got into immediate trouble as Livesay and Heck hit back-to-back singles with nobody out. Craig Massoni then grounded into a double play while Livesay scored to pull Gateway within a tally.

Despite the momentum, RHP Dexter Price picked up his eighth save of the season with a scoreless ninth inning to secure Schaumburg’s win.

The Grizzlies and Boomers play the middle game of their three-game set on Wednesday at GCS Ballpark. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m. LHP Corey Kimes (4-2, 3.98 ERA) makes the start for Gateway as the Boomers counter with RHP Scott Schultz (4-3, 5.16 ERA).

The game can be heard on the Grizzlies Radio Network, which airs Wednesday on 1400 AM KJFF and online at www.GatewayGrizzlies.com/Radio. Sam Levitt and Matt Sabados have the call.