Gems allow Prospect League franchise record 22 runs in loss but maintain slim division lead

QUINCY — The Quincy Gems allowed 20 runs in the first five innings and suffered their worst defeat of the season in a 22-7 loss to the Thrillville Thrillbillies on Thursday night in a Prospect League game at QU Stadium.

The Gems (26-24, 13-9 second half) are in first place in the Great River Division, a half-game ahead of Illinois Valley. Clinton and Burlington are tied for third place, one game behind the Gems.

The 22 runs allowed are the most by a Quincy team since the Prospect League started in 2009. Quincy’s previous record for runs allowed in a game was on July 6, 2017, in a 21-9 loss to the Springfield Sliders at QU Stadium. 

The Thrillbillies knocked Gems starter Cole Parkhill out of the game in the second inning when they scored seven runs. Parkhill only recorded five outs.

The pitching didn’t get much better the rest of the night. Stefan Stockwell gave up eight runs in 2 1/3 innings, and Rich Snider got just one out while allowing three hits, two walks and five runs. Connor Schwindeler allowed two runs in 2 1/3 innings. The Thrillbillies hit five home runs and collected 20 hits.

Outfielder Luke Jessen was the most effective Gems pitcher, allowing one hit and recording one out in the seventh inning.

Harry Fandre hit a three-run home run in the second inning and added a sacrifice fly in the sixth inning for the Gems. Lucas Loos hit a two-run homer in the third inning. He is tied with Chillicothe’s Arturo Disla for the league lead with 10 home runs, and he’s fourth in the league with 49 RBIs. Disla, who also leads the league with 59 RBIs, is no longer with the Paints. He left the team in mid-June to sign a free agent contract with the Texas Rangers.