Home loss to Alton knocks Gems out of first place in Great River Division

QUINCY — A big inning put the Quincy Gems ahead. An even bigger inning put the Gems behind for good.

A seven-run fourth inning put the Alton River Dragons in the lead, and they went on to defeat the Gems 11-5 on Saturday night in a Prospect League game at QU Stadium. The game was stopped after eight innings because of lightning and impending storms.

The loss knocked Quincy (25-26, 12-12 second half out of first place in the Great River Division. Clinton (12-10) defeated Illinois Valley 14-7 to move into the division lead.

Alex Wattermann’s RBI single put the Gems ahead in the second inning, and Jayce Maag hit a three-run homer to put the hosts ahead 4-0.

Gems starter Matt Shover walked the first batter of the game, then retired the next nine batters in order. However, Alton belted seven hits in the fourth inning to score seven runs. Thomas Ayers’ three-run home run was the big blow of the inning.

The Gems had just five hits and scored just one run in the final six innings against River Dragons starter Justin Needles and reliever Jack McNeil, who pitched the final three innings to earn the save.

Jadon Arakaki, Matt Schark and Jake Skrine each had two hits for the Gems. Arakaki’s single in the sixth drove in the Gems’ only other run.