Gems rally in top of eighth, give up go-ahead runs in bottom of eighth

QUINCY — The Quincy Gems scored three runs in the top of the eighth to tie the score at 4-4, but they gave up two in the bottom of the eighth to lose 6-4 to the Clinton LumberKings on Sunday night in a Prospect League game at NelsonCorp Field.

The Gems (16-16, 3-2 in second half) are in first place in the Great River Division of the West Conference, a half-game ahead of Normal (3-3) and Clinton (2-2) and one game ahead of Burlington (2-3).

Quincy mustered just three hits in seven innings off Clinton pitchers Jackson Kent and Luke Schafter. Ryan Hutchinson led off the eighth inning against reliever Jared Simpson with a walk. Simpson then walked Jayce Maag and hit Danny Sperling with a pitch to load the bases.

After Nick Iannantone and Jake Skrine both struck out, Matt Schark doubled to clear the bases.

Clinton’s Daunte DeCello led off the eighth against Gems reliever Jack Payne with a single, and Justin Conant walked. Reliever Connery O’Donnell took over for Payne and allowed RBI singles to Brett McCleary and Rayth Petersen. O’Donnell got out of the jam with a double play ball and a groundout.

Casey Day earned the save for the LumberKings, retiring the Gems in order in the ninth.