|
|
|
Southern Illinois Miners starter Ryan Bird’s biggest opponent might not have been the offense he faced on Monday night.
Instead, an offense that scored nine runs in a Sunday night loss quite possibly could have been the least of Bird’s concerns. Instead, the Miners ace’s biggest adversity might have been the heat and humidity that swamped Rent One Park.
But like each challenge he has faced so far this season, Bird pulled through once again, allowing one run while scattering six hits and striking out six batters in six innings of work as the Miners beat the Gateway Grizzlies 9-2.
“Every week you have to get your body prepared and get in shape. My legs were shaking after the second inning,” Bird said. “My feet felt like five pounds, but you’ve just got to bear through it and get the job done.”
Bird, who entered the game with a league-low 0.89 earned run average, improved his record to 5-0 this season.
Southern Illinois (17-12) scored a pair of runs in the first inning courtesy of first baseman Brad Miller’s two-run home run to straight away center field. The towering blast traveled an estimated 415 feet.
The Miners tacked on two more in the bottom of the fifth off the Grizzlies (11-18). Shortstop Tony Roth knocked in double-play partner Mike Higa with a double, then later scored on a sacrifice fly by Miller moments after stealing third base, extending Southern Illinois’ lead to 4-1.
Designated hitter Joey Metropoulos sparked a five-run bottom of the eighth with a monstrous three-run home run. The no-doubt-about-it shot cleared the left field wall and a fence that stands more than 20 feet beyond the left-center field wall.
Miners manager Mike Pinto said he has been pleased to see the offense come around despite some players’ early season struggles.
“We’ve got guys that have hit their whole lives … their whole careers. They’re going to hit,” Pinto said, referencing a conversation between he and right fielder and Jereme Milons before Monday’s game. “I just had to show some patience and maybe get kicked a little bit early on while they got their timing down. It’s really good to see those guys (produce), they can carry us for a long time with the way they swing the bat.”
Reliever Chris Wiman’s relief appearance in the ninth inning almost made for some late inning drama as he loaded the bases without recording an out before escaping the inning by allowing only one earned run.
Southern Illinois looks to complete the sweep at 7:05 p.m. as right hander Brett Scarpetta (0-0, 2.61 ERA) takes to the mound against Mark Brackman (2-3, 3.96) to end the first half of the six-game homestand.
Southern Illinois Miners starter Ryan Bird’s biggest opponent might not have been the offense he faced on Monday night.
Instead, an offense that scored nine runs in a Sunday night loss quite possibly could have been the least of Bird’s concerns. Instead, the Miners ace’s biggest adversity might have been the heat and humidity that swamped Rent One Park.
But like each challenge he has faced so far this season, Bird pulled through once again, allowing one run while scattering six hits and striking out six batters in six innings of work as the Miners beat the Gateway Grizzlies 9-2.
“Every week you have to get your body prepared and get in shape. My legs were shaking after the second inning,” Bird said. “My feet felt like five pounds, but you’ve just got to bear through it and get the job done.”
Bird, who entered the game with a league-low 0.89 earned run average, improved his record to 5-0 this season.
Southern Illinois (17-12) scored a pair of runs in the first inning courtesy of first baseman Brad Miller’s two-run home run to straight away center field. The towering blast traveled an estimated 415 feet.
The Miners tacked on two more in the bottom of the fifth off the Grizzlies (11-18). Shortstop Tony Roth knocked in double-play partner Mike Higa with a double, then later scored on a sacrifice fly by Miller moments after stealing third base, extending Southern Illinois’ lead to 4-1.
Designated hitter Joey Metropoulos sparked a five-run bottom of the eighth with a monstrous three-run home run. The no-doubt-about-it shot cleared the left field wall and a fence that stands more than 20 feet beyond the left-center field wall.
Miners manager Mike Pinto said he has been pleased to see the offense come around despite some players’ early season struggles.
“We’ve got guys that have hit their whole lives … their whole careers. They’re going to hit,” Pinto said, referencing a conversation between he and right fielder and Jereme Milons before Monday’s game. “I just had to show some patience and maybe get kicked a little bit early on while they got their timing down. It’s really good to see those guys (produce), they can carry us for a long time with the way they swing the bat.”
Reliever Chris Wiman’s relief appearance in the ninth inning almost made for some late inning drama as he loaded the bases without recording an out before escaping the inning by allowing only one earned run.
Southern Illinois looks to complete the sweep at 7:05 p.m. as right hander Brett Scarpetta (0-0, 2.61 ERA) takes to the mound against Mark Brackman (2-3, 3.96) to end the first half of the six-game homestand.
