Edwin Sanchez delivers a strong start, but Lake Erie falls 7-0 after a weather delay at ForeFront Field.
The Lake Erie Crushers dropped a 7-0 decision to the Gateway Grizzlies on Saturday night at ForeFront Field. A lengthy weather delay pushed back the start of Cleveland Monsters Night before the two teams finally took the field. Once play began, the Grizzlies pitching staff kept the Crushers off the scoreboard for all nine innings. Sanchez Opens With a Perfect Start Left hander Edwin Sanchez took the mound fresh off his All Star appearance earlier in the week. He retired the first nine Grizzlies batters he faced and struck out three during that stretch. His control held through the middle innings as well. A walk in the top of the fourth broke up the shutout bid on the bases. Sanchez responded by retiring the next three batters to close out the frame without damage. Catcher Jose Alvarez recorded the first hit off Sanchez with a single up the middle in the fifth inning. Grizzlies Break Through in the Fifth Two walks with two outs set the stage for Gateway to take control. Left fielder Victor Castillo grounded a ball through the right side that first baseman Jacob Tobias could not reach, scoring two runs. A wide throw to third base from right fielder Garret Pike allowed a third run to cross the plate on the same play. That sequence gave Gateway its first lead of the series at 3-0. Sanchez finished his outing with five innings pitched, two hits allowed, three runs on two earned, three walks and four strikeouts across 82 pitches. He took the loss to fall to 5-3 on the season. Grizzlies Add Insurance Late Gateway starter Ben Harris shut down the Crushers offense for eight scoreless innings. Cole Brannen drove in a run in the seventh inning with a single to center field. The Grizzlies tacked on three more runs in the ninth inning to extend their lead to 7-0, which held as the final score. Lake Erie actually outhit Gateway four to three on the night. Walks proved costly, though, as free passes set up multiple Grizzlies scoring chances. Harris improved to 6-4 with his eight scoreless frames. Series Wraps Up Sunday The Crushers and Grizzlies close out their weekend series Sunday, July 19 at 1 p.m. at ForeFront Field. The matchup is a Sunday Family Fun Day, with kids 12 and under eating free. Young fans can play catch on the field before the game, run the bases afterward and collect autographs from Crushers players. Tickets are available at LECrushers.com . Season ticket membership information can be found online or by calling 440-934-3636.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of the Crushers vs. Grizzlies game on Monsters Night?
The Gateway Grizzlies shut out the Lake Erie Crushers 7-0 on Saturday, July 18 at ForeFront Field in Avon, after a lengthy weather delay pushed back the start of Cleveland Monsters Night.
How did Edwin Sanchez pitch in the loss?
Sanchez, fresh off his All Star appearance, retired the first nine batters he faced and finished with five innings pitched, two hits allowed, three runs (two earned), three walks and four strikeouts across 82 pitches. He took the loss to fall to 5-3 on the season.
How did the Grizzlies score their first runs?
With two outs and two walks aboard in the fifth inning, Victor Castillo grounded a ball through the right side to score two runs, and a wide throw to third base allowed a third run to cross on the same play, giving Gateway a 3-0 lead.
Did the Crushers get outhit in the game?
No. Lake Erie outhit Gateway four to three on the night, but walks proved costly as free passes set up multiple Grizzlies scoring chances. Gateway starter Ben Harris threw eight scoreless innings to improve to 6-4.
When is the next Crushers game?
The Crushers and Grizzlies close out their weekend series Sunday, July 19 at 1 p.m. at ForeFront Field. It is a Sunday Family Fun Day, with kids 12 and under eating free, pregame catch on the field, postgame base running and player autographs. Tickets are available at LECrushers.com or by calling 440-934-3636.