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The Southern Illinois Miners suffered a 3-2 defeat at Silver Cross Field against the Joliet Slammers on a walk-off walk on Saturday night.
Leading 2-1 entering the bottom of the ninth, Miners closer Stew Brase allowed three straight hits to open the inning, the last of which tied the game at 2-2. After an intentional walk to load the bases, the Miners were able to turn a 1-2-3 double play for the first two outs. But after another intentional walk to re-load the bases, Slammers outfielder Tre-von Johnson drew a free pass, driving in the winning run.
The Miners got a strong outing from rookie right-hander Miguel Ramirez in the loss. The Tarleton State product pitched 6 2/3 innings of shutout ball, allowing only three hits while walking two and striking out four. He left with the Miners leading 2-0 in the seventh.
Joliet starter Blair Walters also pitched into the seventh, giving up just one unearned run over the first six innings before Chris Burke launched a solo home run to left to give Southern Illinois the 2-0 lead.
Joliet scored their first run in the eighth off of Derrick Miramontes before the ninth-inning rally.
Three Miners finished with multi-hit performances, including Matt Howard, who went a perfect 4-for-4 with three singles and a triple. Burke finished 2-for-3 with the solo shot, while Jon Eisen also had two hits in four at-bats.
The Miners will attempt to stave off the road sweep on Sunday against the Slammers with an afternoon game beginning at 1:05 p.m. Rick Teasley will get the ball for Southern Illinois, while right-hander Matt Dillon will start for Joliet.
