CRESTWOOD, Ill. -- Jason Lowey walked Carter McQuigg with the bases loaded to force home the go-ahead run in the eighth inning, and the Gateway Grizzlies (42-38) eked out a 3-2 victory over the Windy City ThunderBolts (46-33) before a crowd of 3,333 for Elvis Night at Standard Bank Stadium.
The loss ended Windy City's home winning streak at 12 games. Combined with Southern Illinois' dramatic 8-6 win over Evansville, the ThunderBolts fell to 1.5 games behind the first place Minors in the West Division.
Willie Keene began the top of the eighth by reaching on an error by third baseman Josh Horn. After Mike Breyman forced Keene at second base with a fielder's choice, 'Bolts starter Isaac Hess (5-6) walked Charlie Lisk and Stephen Holdren to load the bases. Lowey entered from the bullpen, only to walk McQuigg on five pitches.
The loss overshadowed a superb effort out of Hess, who allowed three runs, two unearned, on four hits over 7 1/3 innings while striking out seven.
He was matched by Gateway starter Devin Collis, who whiffed seven in 6 1/3 innings while scattering five hits, including solo home runs by the ThunderBolts' Phil Hawke and Danny Sawyer.
Grizzlies reliever Eric Ridener (3-2) earned the victory, hurling the final 2 2/3 innings without allowing a hit.
Gateway and Windy City play the rubber match of the three-game series at 3:05 p.m. on Sunday at Standard Bank Stadium. Right-hander Brandon Williams (7-3, 3.54) will start for the Grizzlies opposite Windy City right-hander Ross Stout (8-3, 3.10).
