May 31, 2023

Crushers Suffer Series Opening Setback

Crushers Suffer Series Opening Setback

Lake Erie leaves 10 on base in 7-1 loss to Gateway

Box Link: https://frontierleague.com/sports/bsb/2022-23/boxscores/20230530_lu2e.xml

AVON, Ohio — The Lake Erie Crushers dropped their series opener to the Gateway Grizzlies at Mercy Health Stadium on Tuesday evening, dropping a 7-1 contest on a night where they stranded 10 base runners.

The Crushers (8-8) have now lost six out of their last eight games while the victory for the Grizzlies (12-4) was their sixth in a row.

Lake Erie’s offense was stymied all night long by Gateway starting pitcher Carson LaRue (2-0) who pitched an immaculate inning in the bottom of the fourth, striking out Lake Erie’s 3, 4 and 5 hitters on nine pitches.

Gateway scored the first run of the contest in the top of the second. Andrew Penner reached on a single to start the inning and came around to score on a RBI single to left off the bat of former Crusher DJ Stewart.

The Grizzlies added three more in the top of the fourth to take a 4-0 lead. Willie Estrada belted a two out, two run double down the line in left to score Penner and Stewart, and Estrada scored later in the inning on the back end of a double steal.

The Crushers scored their lone run in the bottom of the sixth inning. Todd Isaacs Jr. reached on a fielder’s choice and Jack Harris followed with a single to center. Brendon Dadson drove Isaacs home a few moments later on a RBI single to left.

Gateway put the game out of reach after scoring a trio of runs in the top of the eighth. It was Estrada who struck again, with his second two run double of the night that served as the back breaker. Estrada scored the last run of the game later in the inning on a passed ball.

LaRue picked up the victory for the Grizzlies after allowing just a run on six hits and struck out 10 batters through six innings of work. Kyle Seebach (0-2) took the loss after surrendering four runs, two earned on four hits while walking five and fanning three batters through five innings.

Jiandido Tromp hit safely twice on the night, going 2-for-5 and extended his hitting streak to seven games in the process. Sicnarf Loopstok was the only other Crusher to hit safely multiple times, going 2-for-4 with a pair of singles.

The Crushers will continue their series with the Grizzlies at Mercy Health Stadium on Wednesday afternoon. Right-hander Angelo Baez (3-0, 0.00) will get the start for the Crushers and the Grizzlies will counter with righty Collin Sullivan (2-0, 0.55). The first pitch is scheduled for 1:05 PM.

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