Three-run homer in eighth inning gives Thrillville comeback victory over Gems

QUINCY — A three-run home run by Michael Malott with two outs in the top of the eighth inning off reliever Andrew Fay helped the Thrillville Thrillbillies take an 8-6 victory over the Quincy Gems on Thursday night in a Prospect League game at QU Stadium.

Dylan Drumke led off the eighth for Thrillville (6-3) with a single, and after Cole Smith struck out, Jackson Lindsey followed with another single, moving Drumke to third. Drumke then scored on a wild pitch, but Jackson McCoy struck out for the second out. 

After Kaleb Herbert walked, Gems pitching coach Ryan Oden visited Fay on the mound. Gems manager Brad Gyorkos had left-hander Stephen Eskridge warming up in the bullpen, but he chose to let the right-handed Fay pitch to the right-handed Malott. The Thrillbillies’ designated hitter then homered to center field.

Thrillville reliever Nathan Ball earned the save, striking out six Gems in two innings. Quincy had two runners on base in the bottom of the ninth, but pinch-hitter Cross Jumper struck out to end the game.

Thrillville took a 3-0 lead in the first inning off starter Philip Reinhardt, but the Gems captured the lead on Riley Black’s grand slam in the third inning. The Gems added two more runs in the sixth when Luke Jessen tripled to center field, scoring Harrison Blueweiss and Logan Voth.

Reinhardt retired 12 consecutive batters after giving up five hits in the first inning.

Blueweiss had two of Quincy’s five hits. The Gems (2-6) failed to take advantage of nine walks from Thrillville pitchers, stranding nine runners.