LOVES PARK, Ill. – Trailing 3-0 in the fifth inning, the Rockford RiverHawks scored five runs, all after two outs, to surge ahead of the Gateway Grizzlies and pick up a 6-4 victory in the series opener at RiverHawks Stadium.
Gateway jumped out to an early 3-0 lead on Landon Hernandez’s RBI single in the first inning and Richie Jimenez’s two-run single in the second inning. Grizzlies’ starter Ja’Vaun West only allowed two hits through his first four innings, but the RiverHawks would load the bases on three one-out singles by Mike Thomas, Carlos Luciano, and Steve Anderson.
Ted Obregon would hit into a fielder’s choice that would not score a run, but Jet Butler would hit a two-out, two-run single to cut the Grizzlies’ lead to 3-2. Javier Herrera would follow by blasting a 2-2 pitch over the left field fence for a go-ahead three-run homer, his fourth of the season, to put Rockford on top 5-3.
West (0-1) took the loss on the mound in his first professional start, giving up five runs on eight hits and striking out six in five innings of work.
Jonathan Johnson hit his first homer of the season in the sixth inning off Rockford starter Mike Lee to cut the Rockford lead to one, but Carlos Luciano would hit his first homer of the season off Gil Rehwinkel with two outs in the bottom half of the inning to put the RiverHawks ahead 6-4.
Lee (2-0) earned the win on the mound, giving up four runs on six hits while striking out nine in six innings. Relievers Andrew Armstrong, Nelson Curry, and newly-signed Brett Scarpetta would combine to strike out six in three innings of scoreless relief. Scarpetta pitched a perfect ninth inning for his first save of the season.
The series resumes tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m. as Rockford sends southpaw Ziggie VanderWall (2-1, 5.17 ERA) to the mound, and Gateway will counter with righty Alex Kaminsky (5-0, 3.60 ERA).
Tomorrow night is Faith Night #2 at RiverHawks Stadium.
The RiverHawks are members of the Frontier League, an independent professional baseball league in its 20th season. Games are broadcast on NTA-FM (100.5) Advertising and ticket information is available by calling (815) 885-2255. Fans can also visit www.rockfordriverhawks.com.
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