Gems lose in 11th, see postseason chances come to end

QUINCY — A two-run rally in the ninth saved the Quincy Gems’ postseason chances, but the Gems couldn’t come up with two runs in the 11th to keep them alive as they lost 6-4 to the Clinton LumberKings on Sunday night in a Prospect League game at QU Stadium.

The Gems (27-31 , 14-17 second half) are three games behind the LumberKings (16-13) for first place in the Great River Division, and the Gems have just one game remaining in the regular season. 

The LumberKings scored twice against reliever Jack Payne in the top of the 11th. Pinch-hitter Brayden Frazier doubled to lead off the inning and scored on a single by Daunte DeCello. Later, Luke Ira’s groundout drove in DeCello. 

Logan Romasanta earned the victory for Clinton, going three innings in relief. He got the last two outs of the game on Jake Skrine’s double play.

The Gems trailed 4-2 entering the ninth. Brock Boynton’s broken bat single was followed by a fielder’s choice by Jadon Arakaki for the first out. Ryan Hutchinson hit a high hopper to the left of the pitcher’s mound, and Romasanta threw the ball past first base and into the right field bullpen, putting runners on second and third.

Skrine then singled to score Arakaki. When the throw from right-field was cut off by Clinton first baseman Max Holy, he tried to throw out Hutchinson  at third base. Instead, his high throw glanced off the glove of DeCello, and Hutchinson scored the tying run.

Matt Schark, who leads the Prospect League with 66 RBIs, was intentionally walked to load the bases. Tyler Clark-Chiapparelli then struck out, and and Andrew Fay walked to load the bases.

With Alex Wattermann at the plate with a 1-2 count, Skrine tried to steal home after the throw back to Romasanta by catcher Brett McCleary. However, Romasanta got the ball to McCleary in time to tag out Skrine and force extra innings.

The Gems’ other runs came on a sacrifice fly by Fay in the fourth and an RBI groundout by Skrine in the seventh.