Online Staff Report

LOVES PARK, Ill. — Gateway starter Paul Tremlin yielded three runs over seven strong innings Sunday night, July 8, and Jon Myers homered to lead the Grizzlies to a 10-5 victory and series win over the Rockford RiverHawks.

The Grizzlies scored three runs in the third inning off Rockford starter Ziggie VanderWall to take a 4-1 advantage, including a sacrifice fly by Jerod Yakubik and two-run single by Antone DeJesus. VanderWall (4-3) lasted just four innings, giving up four runs on six hits.

Gateway scored three more times off Nelson Curry in the fifth inning to extend the lead to 7-1, including the two-run shot by Myers, his team-leading ninth of the season.

“They hit the ball well and got on the board early,” Rockford Manager Rich Austin said. “Their pitching did well, and you’ve got to tip your cap sometimes.”

Making his second professional start, Tremlin (4-0) threw 60 of his 87 pitches and retired the RiverHawks’ lineup in order five times in his seven innings pitched.

The RiverHawks trailed 8-1 into the seventh inning, but Michael Hur hit a two-run single to close the gap to 8-3. However, Greg Van Horn followed by bouncing into a double play and Brandon Anderson grounded out to first base to end the threat.

Jet Butler went 2-for-4 with two runs scored for Rockford. Gateway’s Rogelio Noris went 3-for-4 with two RBIs.

The RiverHawks finish the first half of the season with a 19-28 record and stand in sixth place in the Frontier League West. The RiverHawks have three All-Stars in Javier Herrera, Matt Greener and Mike Lee, who signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves and will not participate.

The All-Star Break runs July 9-12, with the Home Run Derby and Frontier League All-Star Game taking place July 10-11 at the Corn Crib in Normal.

Rockford returns to action July 13, hitting the road to play the Evansville Otters for a three-game series.

Herrera will be swinging for the fences July 10 as he represent the RiverHawks in the 2012 State Farm Home Run Derby.

Herrera sits at seven home runs, which ties him for second on the team.

Assistant Coach Justin Small is expected to be the pitcher for Herrera in the event.

All-Stars with the highest home run totals from each team will participate in the contest. For Evansville and Washington, teams without a position player All-Star, their slots will be filled by All-Stars with the next-highest home run total.

The first round of the contest will consist of eight outs per batter, with any ball that is not a home run considered an out. The top four batters will advance to the second round, which will also consist of eight outs. The top two totals of the first and second rounds combined will advance to the finals, which will be five outs.

The RiverHawks are members of the Frontier League, an independent professional baseball league in its 20th season. Games are broadcast on NTA-FM (100.5). Advertising and ticket information is available by calling (815) 885-2255. Fans can also visit www.rockfordriverhawks.com ^[1].

Posted July 9, 2012