Gems overcome four-run deficit but run out of pitching, lose in 12th inning
CLINTON, Iowa — The Quincy Gems fought to overcome a four-run deficit but ran out of pitching in a 6-5 extra-inning loss to the Clinton LumberKings on Friday night in a Prospect League game at NelsonCorp Field.
The Gems (6-8 second half, 25-21 overall) are 2 ½ games behind Normal for first place in the Great River Division, and they are only one game ahead of last-place Clinton.
Merrick Mathews, an outfielder this season for the Gems, came on to pitch the 12th inning in relief of Ryan Foley, who pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings. It was Mathews’ first appearance on the mound.
He allowed a single and a walk to start the 12th inning, and a sacrifice bunt moved both baserunners to second and third. After an intentional walk loaded the bases, Mathews allowed an RBI single to Luke Ira to end the game.
The Gems trailed 5-1 entering the top of the fifth when Dylan Wipperman hit an RBI double. Quincy then tied the score in the eighth. Hayden Moore walked, then scored on a one-out double by Dayson Croes. Luke Napleton walked, and Jonathan Latham delivered a two-out single to load the bases. Jaison Andujar then walked to force in a run, and Bennett Eltoft singled in another run, although Latham was thrown out at home trying to score.
Moore had four of Quincy’s eight hits in the game.
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