Bullpen secures Gems’ victory in opening game of Prospect League championship series

QUINCY — Sooner or later, it always comes down to pitching, even in a wild and crazy game that produced 30 runs and 28 hits.

The Quincy Gems’ lockdown bullpen — a team strength for much of the season — finally took control of the opening game in the best-of-three Prospect League championship series against Chillicothe before a crowd of about 500 at QU Stadium.

Quincy held Chillicothe scoreless over the final three innings en route to an 18-12 win, emerging with an entertaining victory that took 3 hours, 55 minutes to complete on a balmy Thursday evening. 

The Gems and the Paints resume their series at 6 p.m. Saturday in Chillicothe, Ohio. If a third game is needed, it will be at 5 p.m. Sunday in Chillicothe. Quincy is seeking its first Prospect League championship since 2014.

The Gems never trailed in the game, thanks in large part to an eight-run outburst in the bottom of the first inning, but Chillicothe closed within two runs twice. The Paints, however, were never able to wrestle the lead away from the Gems, whose offense scored in seven of eight at-bats.

“I think we sent a message to Chillicothe,” Quincy manager Brad Gyorkos said. “When we needed to react, we did.”

Gems second baseman Jimmy Koza echoed his coach’s sentiments.

“I think this told Chillicothe what we are capable of doing … this was a huge win,” said Koza, who banged out four hits, including a two-run homer in the sixth that boosted the Gems’ advantage to 16-12. 

Quincy socked three of the game’s four home runs.

Chillicothe entered the series a favorite to win its second straight title. The Paints brought a 43-17 record and 13 wins in their previous 15 games to Quincy. The Gems entered 33-26, but had quietly won 13 of their last 17.

Both clubs showcase outstanding offenses, but Quincy’s bullpen wound up being the difference. Connor Schwindeler, Jake Syverson and Tanner Gerdes pitched the final four innings, allowing no runs and just one hit. The quartet struck out eight.

Gerdes threw the final two innings, striking out five.

“They were our three-headed monster,” said Gems catcher Otto Jones, who coordinated the relievers’ efforts against a Chillicothe lineup that entered the game with a .320 team average and possessed three of the top five hitters in the league. “We expect a lot out of our bullpen, and we got just that tonight.”

Jones enjoyed a banner night at the plate, too. 

He collected three hits and a game-best six RBIs, including a bases-clearing double in that eventful eight-run first frame. Jones entered the game with 14 RBIs and a .258 batting average.

Interestingly, the Gems did not even have to employ closer Stephen Eskridge, who has a 0.83 earned run average and 30 strikeouts in 21 ⅔ innings. 

Gyorkos said he opted to save Eskridge for the weekend after Gerdes fanned the side in the eighth inning. Gerdes needed just 22 pitches -— 14 of them strikes -— over the last two innings.

“With the way Gerdes was throwing, we just stayed with him,” Gyorkos said. “That way, (Eskridge) will be fresh for Saturday if he is needed.”

Seven Quincy players drove in runs, although the team’s heart of the order — No. 3 man Kyle Hvidsten and cleanup hitter Lucas Loos — went a combined 0 for 9. Loos leads the Prospect League with 63 RBIs and is second in homers (13), while Hvidsten’s .347 average ranks 11th in the 17-team league.

“We’re really a good offensive club, and we pick each other up,” Gyorkos said. “Our No. 3 and 4 hitters struggled a little tonight, but the rest of the lineup really responded.”

Quincy shortstop Jack Zebig smacked three hits and first baseman Tristan Meny collected a pair. Right fielder Jaison Andujar and Zebig joined Koza with Gems’ home runs.

Chillicothe left fielder Tim Orr homered for the Paints, who had seven players produce two or more hits. Center fielder Tyler Shaneyfelt and shortstop Cameron Bowen each had three of their club’s 15 hits.

Chillicothe’s imposing cleanup hitter, 6-foot-5, 235-ppound Victor Figueroa, entered the series leading the league in hitting (.430), but went 0-for-3 with three walks.

Gyorkos said he is uncertain who will start Saturday for the Gems. Gyorkos and staff will examine “different options” after the opening game taxed both staffs. The game saw a combined 417 pitches and 23 bases on balls. Each team used six pitchers.

Chillicothe starter Luke Walter, who lasted just one-third of an inning and surrendered eight runs. The Paints entered the game with the league’s second-best best ERA (4.98).

Friday will be a travel day for both teams. The trip to Chillicothe will take roughly eight hours. Gems players say they feel little or no pressure after winning Thursday’s opener.

“Our only goal going into Saturday is to have fun,” Koza said.

And to win a championship.