Strong pitching allows Gems to return home having won three of four games on road trip

O’FALLON, Mo. — Three Quincy Gems hurlers combined to send the Prospect League home with momentum.

Anthony Ribes struck out seven over 4 ⅔ innings, while Drew Evans and Tanner Gerdes combined for 4 ⅓ innings of scoreless relief in Sunday’s 3-1 victory over the O’Fallon Hoots at CarShield Field.

It was the Gems’ third victory on a four-game road trip and keeps them a half-game ahead of the Burlington Bees for first place in the Great River Division’s second half. With 10 regular-season games remaining, the Gems are 25-23 overall, 12-8 in the second half and chasing a playoff berth.

Quality pitching helps in that pursuit.

Ribes allowed one run on three hits and walked three in an 89-pitch effort. Evans threw 3 ⅓ innings, allowing two hits with three strikeouts. Gerdes pitched the ninth inning, striking out two and walking one to earn his second save of the summer.

Evans’ outing gave him his first victory with the Gems.

Quincy took the lead with two runs in the top of the third inning as Charles Schebler and Jake Zebig led off with back-to-back singles. Joe Siervo hit a grounder to third base, which led to a pair of errors — one by the third baseman and the other by the right fielder — that allowed both runners to score.

The Gems tacked on another run in the seventh as Siervo led off by getting hit by a pitch, Jaison Andujar singled, and after a fielder’s choice led runners at the corners, Jordan Scott’s sacrifice fly to center field scored Siervo.

The Gems return to QU Stadium at 6:35 p.m. Wednesday to face the Springfield Lucky Horseshoes as they play four of the next five games at home.