Sixth-inning explosion helps Gems get to within one game of West-Great River Division lead

QUINCY — Brant Hogue pitched 6 ⅔ innings and allowed one run, and the Quincy Gems blew open a close game with eight runs in the sixth inning in a 10-2 victory over the Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp on Friday night in a Prospect League game at QU Stadium.

The Gems (8-10) have won six of their last eight games and are one game behind Burlington and Normal, who are tied for the West-Great River Division lead with 9-9 records.

Hogue set down seven straight batters before allowing back-to-back doubles to lead off the fourth inning. He then retired the next 10 batters before allowing a single to Garry Maynard with two outs in the seventh inning.

Jack Payne came on to get four outs in relief. Andrew Fay allowed a home run in the ninth inning.

Matt Schark put the Gems ahead 2-1 in the bottom of the fourth inning with a two-run home run, his seventh this season. 

Quincy blew the game open in the sixth. Nick Iannantone walked, and Jake Skrine and Schark singled to load the bases. Pistol Shrimp reliever Demian White hit Alec Patino with the first pitch he threw, forcing in a run. Trent Youngblood walked, forcing in another run.

Ryan Hutchinson drove in two runs with a single, and Dane Thomas followed with a three-run home run. 

Justin Rios, another Pistol Shrimp reliever, loaded the bases with a single and two walks. Schark then ended the scoring run with a sacrifice fly.

Hutchinson and Skrine both had three hits for the Gems.