Stewart guns down tying run in eighth inning, allows Gems to hang on for third consecutive victory

QUINCY — Ryan Reyerson contributed six shutout innings, but the Quincy Gems needed a stellar defensive play from Zach Stewart to hold on to the lead in a 5-3 victory over the Cape Catfish on Sunday night in a Prospect League game at QU Stadium.

The Gems (9-9) have won three straight games and are a half-game behind Clinton (10-9) and Normal (9-8), which are separated by .003 percentage points at the top of the Great River Division.

Reyerson allowed five hits and struck out five to earn the victory. Andrew Fay came on in relief and pitched a perfect seventh, but the Catfish’s J.D. Ortiz belted a three-run home run with one out in the eighth inning.

After a flyout, Kolten Poorman followed with a single, and Cam Careswell walked. Andrew Sharp then singed to left, but Stewart’s strike from left field to catcher Jonathan Latham was in time to get Poorman out at home plate.

Lucas Loos from Payson then provided breathing room with a solo home run in the eighth. Palmyra, Mo., native Jacob Kroeger finished up with a perfect ninth inning, striking out two.

Quincy’s first run came in the fourth inning. Nolan Wosman singled, then scored from first when Catfish left fielder Dante Zamudio bobbled a single by Latham. 

Quincy added two runs in the sixth when Wosman scored on a wild pitch and Latham scored on an RBI single by Maurice La Fon. Stewart belted a solo homer in the seventh for the Gems.

Wosman had two hits and extended his hitting streak to six games. He has 11 hits in his last 20 at-bats. Stewart, Latham, LaFon and Dylan Wipperman each had two hits.