Grizzlies cool off RiverHawks with 8-5 win

07/22/2012 8:31 PM - Sauget, Ill. – The Gateway Grizzlies knocked around newly-acquired Brad Schnitzer for six runs and went on to win 8-5 over the Rockford RiverHawks in the series opener at GCS Ballpark. The RiverHawks were coming in with a 7-2 record since the All-Star Break, but the Grizzlies also came in hot, having won their last five games to inch closer to the top of the Frontier League West. Rockford took an early advantage in the first inning as Ted Obregon led off the game with a single, stole second and third base, and came around to score on a Javier Herrera groundout to first base.  Schnitzer retired the side in order in each of the first two innings, but Gateway scored three times in the third inning. Leadoff man Jonathan Johnson doubled home Jon Myers and Landon Hernandez, and he later scored on an RBI base hit by Rogelio Noris to make the score 3-1.  Alex Guthrie hit an RBI single in the fourth inning to extend the lead to 4-1. Rockford scored once in the fifth inning, but Chris McClendon chased Schnitzer from the game with a one-out, two-run double to make it 6-1.  After scoring once in the fifth inning, Rockford’s Michael Hur hit a three-run home run in the sixth inning, his 11th of the year, to close the gap to 6-5.  Gateway added key insurance runs in the sixth and eighth innings on another Noris run-scoring single and a solo shot by Guthrie, his first of the season.  Jordan Cudney pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his second save of the season. Schnitzer (0-1) was the loser, giving up six runs on six hits, walking four and striking out two in 4 1/3 innings. Brett Zawacki (1-0) earned the win in his Frontier League debut, allowing just one earned run on two hits in five innings.  The series resumes tomorrow as the RiverHawks send righty Nick Anderson (0-1, 11.25 ERA) to the mound, and the Grizzlies counter with Max Whieldon (1-0, 4.50 ERA).  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.