SAUGET, Ill. — After taking a 2-0 lead in the fifth inning, the Gateway Grizzlies allowed two runs in the sixth and three more in the ninth to lose 5-2 Saturday night to the Normal CornBelters at GCS Credit Union Ballpark.
Gateway (9-11) got three strong innings from Trevor Lubking, who was inserted as the starter after a 22-minute rain delay prior to first pitch. Both managers chose not to begin the game with their previously scheduled starting pitchers. Lubking struck out three in his Grizzlies debut.
Blake Brown scored an unearned Gateway run in the first inning, then Trae Santos drove in a run with a walk in the fifth.
Normal (8-11) battled back to tie the score with two runs, both charged to Dakota Smith, in the sixth inning. Smith had been scheduled to start the game, but instead entered in the third and left in the sixth.
Kevin Simmons (0-1) took the loss in relief for Gateway. He was charged with Normal’s three runs (two earned) in the ninth.
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WATCH: Grizzlies Media Network Reaction after a 5-2 Gateway loss to even the series against Normal. https://t.co/q4U7UUMb7w
Artemis Kadkhodaian and Brennan Morgan both had two hits; Terry McClure added a hit and a walk. Colton Freeman (one inning) and Ryan McSweeney (two innings) both made scoreless appearances out of the Grizzlies’ bullpen.
Gateway will go for its first rubber-match victory of the season Sunday night against Normal at 6:05 p.m. in the finale of a six-game homestand.
