O’FALLON, Mo. - The Miners lost to River City, 3-1, Wednesday night from T.R. Hughes Ballpark, extending their losing streak to three games. Eric Fussell took his third loss of the year, while Rascals starter Josh Lowey grabbed his sixth win. Southern Illinois hitters scored one run on eight hits. The Miners were undefeated against the Rascals in 2010 before the loss, including a streak of nine wins in a row. With the loss, River City creeps within seven games of the first-place Miners. At one point this year, Southern Illinois had a 15 game lead on the next closest division opponent. After the Miners second three-game losing skid of the season, they move to 44-17 on the season.
The Miners offense continued to struggle Wednesday, accounting for one run on eight hits. Six of the starters had hits, including Brendan Akashian and Kent Gerst’s two-hit games, and Joey Metropoulos drove in the only run of the game on his lone hit of the night.
Josh Lowey had identical season stats to Miners starter Eric Fussell (5-2, 4.72) coming into the game, but pitched a bit better on Wednesday. Lowey would work six and one-third innings of one-run ball. He allowed seven hits and walked four, pitching effectively wild for his sixth win of 2010.
Eric Fussell was solid, going five innings and allowed two runs off five hits. He struck out three and yielded one en route to his third loss of the season.
Thursday Miners newcomer Erik Sommerville (0-0, 3.60) will bring his sidearm release to T.R. Hughes Ballpark for a 7:05 p.m. first pitch. The right-hander will match-up against River City righty Ryan Zink (4-1, 3.86), with the Rascals seeking their second straight victory against Southern Illinois.
