Wattermann tosses gem, helps Quincy cling to hope in Great Lakes Division race

O’FALLON, Mo. — An 11-3 setback in the first game of a Tuesday night Prospect League doubleheader gave the Quincy Gems their eighth loss in 10 games.

The Gems rebounded to defeat the O’Fallon Hoots 4-1 in the second game at CarShield Field, but Clinton’s victory over Burlington earlier in the day cost the Gems a half-game in the Great River Division Standings.

Quincy (26-28, 13-14 second half) is even with Clinton (13-11) on the victory side, but is three games behind on the loss side to stand 1 1/2 games out of the division lead. Normal (12-13) also is 1 1/2 games out of first.

The Gems scored all of their runs in the first game in the sixth inning. Alex Wattermann walked, Joseph Batusich singled and Andrew Fay walked to load the bases with no outs. Reliever Luke Vinson came in and walked Jayce Maag to score one run, and an error by the Hoots’ first baseman allowed Batusich and Fay to score.

However, Jadon Arakaki hit into a double play and Ryan Hutchinson struck out to end the threat.

Losing pitcher Michael Nunez allowed six hits, four walks and seven runs in three innings for the Gems.

Jake Skrine and Fay both had two hits. The rest of the Gems combined for only three hits.

Wattermann tossed a four-hit completed game in the nightcap, losing his shutout in the bottom of the seventh. He walked just one and struck out five. He allowed just one hit through the first six innings.

The game was a scoreless tie until the sixth. Matt Schark hit a one-out single, and Alex Harbin added a two-out single. Maag singled to load the bases. Batusich then singled to center, scoring Schark. Harbin scored on the play on an error by O’Fallon’s center fielder.

Maag then scored on a wild pitch, and Connor Milton’s single scored Batusich.

Quincy’s next three games are against Burlington (9-14), which is in last place in the Great Lakes Division. Two are at QU Stadium and one is on the road. The Gems have six games remaining on their schedule.