The Gateway Grizzlies suffered another narrow defeat on Wednesday night, losing 2-1 to the Mississippi Mud Monsters at Arsenal BG Ballpark, evening the three-game midweek series. This loss marks the eighth defeat in their last 11 games, as the Grizzlies continue to struggle on their current home stand, where they hold a 2-7 record.
Gage Vailes (4-2) was a standout for the Grizzlies despite the loss, navigating early base traffic with his sinker, which induced 11 ground-ball outs in the first five innings. The second-year pitcher found his rhythm, retiring eight consecutive batters and completing the seventh inning for the first time in his career while keeping the Mud Monsters scoreless.
The game shifted in the eighth inning when Ryan Cash hit a fly ball to center field that should have been a routine catch for Cole Brannen but was lost in the twilight, resulting in a double. After a single, Jack Holman’s sacrifice fly scored Cash, giving the Mud Monsters a 1-0 lead. A balk call on Vailes—his first ever—followed, allowing Travis Holt to drive in another run with an RBI single, making it 2-0.
The Grizzlies fought back in the bottom of the eighth. With two outs and a runner on first, Victor Castillo and Dale Thomas drew walks to load the bases, bringing the tying run into scoring position against Sergio Sanchez. Edwin Mateo then hit a ground ball deep in the shortstop hole, driving in a run to cut the deficit to 2-1 with an infield hit. However, Brannen grounded out to Holt at second, stranding the tying run at third. Sanchez retired the side in the ninth to secure the save.
Vailes delivered a quality start, pitching a career-high 7.1 innings, allowing two runs on one walk and five strikeouts, but took his second loss of the season. The Grizzlies’ offense struggled, going 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position.
Gateway looks to rebound in the series finale on Thursday, August 7, at 10:45 a.m. CT. Bennett Stice aims to deliver a strong performance on the mound against the Mud Monsters’ Jeremy Peguero at Arsenal BG Ballpark.
