Gems relievers can’t hold on to lead in road loss to Burlington

QUINCY — The Quincy Gems led 5-4 after scoring four runs in the top of the sixth, but three Gems relievers allowed nine runs over the next three innings in a 13-5 loss to the Burlington Bees on Sunday night in a Prospect League game at Community Field.

The Gems (9-11) are a game and a half behind Burlington and Normal, who are tied for the West-Great River Division lead with 11-10 records.

Quincy scored first on Jayce Maag’s RBI single in the second inning. The Bees responded with a run in the bottom of the inning. Burlington then took the lead with three runs in the bottom of the fifth. 

The Gems took the lead in the sixth when Nick Iannantone singled home Ryan Hutchinson, Jake Skrine singled in Iannantone and Trent Youngblood, and Tyler Carpenter singled in Skrine. 

However, Jake Stipp allowed a home run to Burlington’s Marcos Sanchez and an RBI double by Reid Halfacre in the bottom of the sixth. Alex Wattermann came in for Stipp and allowed a two-run single by Jackson Jones.

Wattermann allowed two more runs in the seventh. Bailey Wendell allowed three solo home runs by the Bees in the bottom of the eighth.

Patino was the only Gem to have two hits in the game.