Gems allow nine runs in final two innings of home loss to Clinton

QUINCY — The Quincy Gems led 7-5 after seven innings and were on the doorstep of a three-game winning streak.

However, the Clinton LumberKings scored twice in the top of the eighth to tie the score, then added seven runs in the top of the ninth to complete a 14-7 victory over the Gems on Saturday night in a Prospect League game at QU-Stadium.

The Gems (2-2) are one game behind first-place Normal in the Great River Division.

A two-run two-out home run by Rayth Peterson tied the score for the LumberKings in the eighth. Two singles and a walk loaded the bases with no outs in the ninth, and Gems manager Brad Gyorkos brought in Daniel Hargrave in relief of Ryan Foley.

Jeremy Conforti greeted Hargrave with an RBI single, and Connor Giusti drove in two more runs with a single. An error by Gems second baseman Jordan Duncan allowed Conforti to score, and Tyler Dahm drove in another run with a single. 

A single by Peterson loaded the bases again, and Taeg Gollert forced in a run when he drew a walk. Nick Fleckenst hit into a double play that allowed a run to score for the final run of the inning.

The Gems scored on run in the second, then took the lead with two runs in the third on a bases-loaded walk by Zach Stewart and an RBI groundout by Jordan Duncan. 

Clinton took the lead with four runs in the fourth, but the Gems eventually tied the score with one run in the fourth, two in the fifth on a two-run homer by Stewart and a run-scoring fielder’s choice by Tye Wood in the seventh.

Stewart and Andrew Fay both had two hits for the Gems. Foley was tagged with the loss.