GRIZZLIES FALL IN EXTRAS

Sauget, Ill. - The Gateway Grizzlies dropped the middle game of a three-game set in 12 innings on Wednesday night as the Traverse City Beach Bums received a go-ahead grand slam in the 12th. Traverse City beat Gateway, 7-3. 

With the bases loaded and nobody out, Jose Vargas put Traverse City (29-38) ahead with his tenth homer of the season as he belted a grand slam to left field. The shot came against Grizzlies RHP Kevin Jefferis (2-2).  

RHP Adam Eggnatz tossed six solid innings for Gateway in his outing as LHP Dylan Stoops did the same for the Beach Bums.  

In the second, Eggnatz allowed all three of his runs. The Grizzlies (35-35) responded in the bottom half of the second with a two-run blast by Sam Fischer. Brandon Thomas evened the score at 3-3 in the third inning with his ninth homer of the season as he popped a solo shot to left field. 

The score remained 3-3 all the way up until the 12th. Both bullpens shined after the starters came out at the end of the sixth. 

Gateway RHP Jon Pusateri threw a scoreless frame in the seventh. RHP Ja'Vaun West then came on and pitched a pair of scoreless innings while RHP Will LaMarche tossed two scoreless frames of his own in the 10th and 11th innings.  

The Beach Bums received great work from their relievers, as well. Five relievers combined to hold Gateway off the board for six innings as RHP James Ball (3-3) picked up the win after he threw a scoreless 11th. 

The Grizzlies and Beach Bums play a rubber game on Thursday night at GCS Ballpark beginning at 7:05 p.m. Gateway sends RHP Will Landsheft (4-6, 4.44 ERA) goes up against Traverse City RHP Michael Shreves (2-5, 5.60 ERA). 

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

For tickets, please call the GCS Ballpark box office at (618) 337-3000 or visit www.GatewayGrizzlies.com.