SAUGET, Ill. — The Gateway Grizzlies took the lead in the first inning Friday night and scored two in the sixth inning to tie the game after falling behind, but they allowed two Southern Illinois Miners runs in the eighth inning en route to a 6-4 loss at GCS Credit Union Ballpark.
Gateway (36-58) lost its ninth straight game, the latter four of which have been at home.
Southern Illinois (48-45) clinched a winning season and held onto its slim playoff chances. The Miners remained 1.5 games back in the West Division — and an equal margin behind the final wild card spot — with two games to play in the regular season. They need to win the remaining two games against the Grizzlies, and they need the Normal CornBelters to win their remaining two games against the Evansville Otters. One more win for the Grizzlies or the Otters would eliminate Southern Illinois.
Josh Glick (2-4) took his second loss in the last two nights in relief.
Mike Elwood tossed 4 2/3 innings and allowed four runs (all earned) with four strikeouts. Chris Metrick relieved him and threw 2 1/3 strong innings despite pitching for the second game in a row and making his third appearance in the last four days. Metrick did not allow a run and struck out two.
Audie Afenir, Shane Mardirosian and Cody Livesay all had two-hit games for Gateway. Mardirosian notched a double and two runs scored; Afenir had two RBIs and a run.
Gateway and Southern Illinois will continue their three-game series Saturday at 7:05 p.m.
