July 21, 2008 - SAUGET, Ill. – Sometimes it just takes one guy to have a good night in the lineup to earn a victory, and that’s exactly what the RiverHawks got on Monday night. Tony Gonzalez provided all the offense Rockford would need as the RiverHawks earned a 4-1 victory over the Gateway Grizzlies.
The first strike came in the RiverHawks’ half of the fourth inning. After Jason James hit a bunt single with one out, Gonzalez stepped to the plate and smashed an opposite field home run, his second of the season. Then in the eighth inning, Carlos Rivera led off with a double, and Joe Anthonsen followed with a walk. After both the runners advanced on a Nick Santos sacrifice bunt, Gonzalez sent both runners across the plate with an opposite field base hit. Gateway scored their only run of the game in the fifth, when Robbie Minor slapped a two-out single, bringing Alex Kerins across home plate.
Pitching was the other story for the RiverHawks in the ballgame, as they got a combined six hitter from their three pitchers in the game. Peden Rucker (2-1) picked up the win, pitching six innings, allowing only one run on six hits. Erik Dessau (4-5) took the loss for the Gateway Grizzlies, giving up two runs in seven innings of work. Roy Bringleson snagged his fifth save of the year, retiring the six batters he faced in the eighth and ninth innings.
Tony Gonzalez was 2-for-4 in the ball game, driving in all four of Rockford’s runs.
The RiverHawks and Grizzlies will square off in the middle game of the series Tuesday night at GCS Ballpark. Rockford will send right-hander Tim Flattery (1-1, 3.72) against Gateway right-hander Justin Lilly (4-2, 4.41). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. in Sauget.
The RiverHawks are members of the Frontier League, a 12-team independent professional baseball league that will play its 16th season this summer. Advertising and season-ticket information is available by calling the box office at (815) 885-2255. Most games are broadcast live on WNTA (1330 AM) and the internet. Fans can also visit the RiverHawks online at www.rockfordriverhawks.com.
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