Grizzlies Return Home; Frias Heading to Chicago Cubs

Photo Courtesy of Paul Baillargeon/ActionImaging.com

After a 4-2 Road Trip, the Grizzlies are back at home tonight and they begin their longest homestand of the season...9 games in 10 days @ GCS Ballpark.  After an impressive and thrilling 3-2 12-inning win last night, the Grizzlies are riding high.

We learned today that Grizzlies SS Vladimir Frias has had his contract purchased by the Chicago Cubs.  He will report to High-A Daytona and has already left the team to head there.  This is a tough loss for Gateway, but a great chance for Frias, who was one of the best shortstops in the league.  He will be missed.  Below are Radio Highlights from Vlad's time with the Grizzlies.

Vladimir Frias Radio Highlights

Photo Courtesy of Paul Baillargeon

The Grizzlies are now 38-28 and fourth overall in the Frontier League.  They have won 11 of 14 and 15 of 19.  They look to tie a franchise-record for most wins in one month with a win here tonight.  Budweiser Pregame Show begins at 6:50 on the Grizzlies Radio Network.  Go Grizzlies!

    -Voice of the Grizzlies, Adam Young

Grizzlies Continue Winning; Look For 7th Straight Series Win

Photo Courtesy of Paul Baillargeon/ActionImaging.com

Gateway continued their winning ways with an 11-5 win last night in game one of the series here in Marion, IL.  The Grizzlies and Miners were tied 3-3 in the 7th inning before the Grizzlies exploded for five runs on five hits to break the game open.  Power-hitting outfielder Rogelio Noris did it again, blasting a two-run home run to left field to break the 3-3 tie.  Below is the radio call of the Noris HR, as heard on the Gateway Grizzlies Radio Network.

Rogelio Noris 2-Run HR @ Southern Illinois

Gateway is now in third place in the Frontier League.  If the playoffs started today, the Grizzlies would be in.  Schaumburg leads Gateway by two games in the West Division and the Grizzlies sit in second place and a half game ahead of Windy City.  The Grizzlies have won 10 of 12 and are a league-best 17-7 in July.

Photo Courtesy of Paul Baillargeon/Action Imaging.com

This is a HUGE series..both Gateway and Southern Illinois are 37-27 and competing for a playoff spot.  The Grizzlies will look for their seventh straight series win tonight.  Right-hander Paul Tremlin goes for the Grizzlies.  First pitch is set for 5:05 and I'll have the call with the Budweiser Pregame Show at 4:50 on the Grizzlies Radio Network.  Talk to you then. Go Grizzlies!

    -Voice of the Grizzlies, Adam Young 

Grizzlies With 7 Straight Wins; Noris Continues To Hit

Photo courtesy of Paul Baillargeon/ActionImaging.com

Rogelio Noris has been everything the Gateway Grizzlies wanted AND more.  24 games into his tenure with the Grizzlies, after being acquired in a late June trade, Noris has been the best hitter in the Grizzlies order.  In 24 games with Gateway, Noris is hitting .379 with four homers and 25 RBI.  After an 11-run 7th inning that helped them come back to win 12-6 last night, the Grizzlies have won seven games in a row and are the hottest team in the Frontier League.  If the playoffs started today, Gateway would be in..and Rogelio Noris, a native of Mexico, is a big reason why.  Below are Radio Highlight from his time with Gateway.

Rogelio Noris Radio Highlights

Photo courtesy of Paul Baillargeon/ActionImaging.com

Noris hit a big two-run double in the Grizzlies explosive 7th inning last night.  Gateway was looking for a right-handed power bat prior to the all-star break and Noris has been that guy.  This trade will go down as one of the best in-season trades in Grizzlies history.  Many will compare it to the Gordie Gronkowski trade of 2010, but if this team makes the playoffs and Rogelio maintains his pace, this trade will be even better.

Noris and the Grizzlies will try to win their eighth win in a row tonight @ GCS Ballpark.  Tune in on the Gateway Grizzlies Radio Network (590 AM KFNS, 1400 AM KJFF, gatewaygrizzlies.com, kfns.com and the FREE KFNS App on your cell phone).  Go Grizzlies!

        -Voice of the Gateway Grizzlies, Adam Young

Grizzlies Continue Hot Streak

Paul Baillargeon/ActionImaging.com Photo

Hello all!  Tonight, the Grizzlies will try to win five games in a row for just the second time this season.  The Grizzlies are off to a stellar start to the second half of the season.  They are 6-2 in the second half and have won eight of their last ten.  Gateway has three series sweeps and will look for their fourth tonight.

Last night, Gateway defeated Schaumburg 8-6 @ GCS Ballpark.  Below are Radio Highlights from the win, as heard on the Gateway Grizzlies Radio Network.

Grizzlies Radio Highlights vs. Schaumburg (Game 2)

Paul Baillargeon/ActionImaging.com Photo

Right-hander Alex Kaminsky gets the start for the Grizzlies.  He's 5-4 with a 5.43 ERA.  He started the season 5-0 and hasn't won a game since June 13th.  Kaminsky looked good on Monday @ Joliet, giving up only three runs in six and a third.  He has only given up four earned runs in his last 11 and a third.

The Grizzlies enter action tonight with a 31-25 record and 2 1/2 games back of Windy City for first place in the West.  The Grizzlies are two back of Schaumburg and Southern Illinois for fourth and final playoff spot.

First pitch is at 7:05 CT.  I hope to see you at the ballpark.  If not, I'll talk to you on the Grizzlies Radio Network with the Budweiser Pregame Show @ 6:50!  Go Grizzlies!

     -Voice of the Gateway Grizzlies, Adam Young

Grizzlies Start Series In Joliet

Hello all!  The Grizzlies hit the road for the first time in the second half as they take on the Slammers in Joliet starting today (Monday).  Gateway enters action in fourth place in the West Division while the Slammers are in fifth.  The Grizzlies are involved in a big log jam in the West Division.  Schaumburg, Windy City, River City and Gateway are all within five games of each other.

Gateway picked up their third walk-off win of the season on Saturday night.  It was a thriller at GCS Ballpark which resulted in a Justin Dunning (all photos courtesy of Paul Baillargeon/Action Imaging.com) walk-off RBI single.  It was great to see the local product (Trenton, IL) provide the heroics and help out his team in a big way.  He wasn't the only one who contributed..it was a team effort..Jon Myers went 4-for-4 with three doubles while having a career night and the pitching was outstanding.  Tim Brown went 8-plus and Richard Barrett pitched two hitless innings to get his first win of the summer.

Right-hander Alex Kaminsky gets the start tonight for Gateway.  It will be his first start since July 4th.  After the three games with the Slammers, the Grizzlies return home for six on Thursday with Schaumburg and Rockford.  The playoff race is heating up..it's going to be a fun second half.  Go Grizzlies!

     -Voice of the Grizzlies, Adam Young 

Grizzlies Begin Second Half

Time for the second half of the season to begin!  Gateway returns to action Thursday night @ GCS Ballpark when they take on the Florence Freedom.  The Grizzlies are 25-23 heading into the final 48 games of the season.  The West Division race is tight at the midway point, with the Grizzlies only four games back of first place Schaumburg.

We get our first look at 6-10 right-hander Max Whieldon in a starting role Thursday night.  Max tossed five solid relief innings on Friday @ Rockford.

Gateway made a big splash with the signing of former St. Louis Cardinals prospect Brett Zawacki Wednesday morning.  He was drafted 12th round in '07 out of HS and has outstanding stuff.  He had a good season in '10 at High-A Palm Beach and appeared in 20 games at Double-A Springfield in '11.  No word yet on whether Zawacki will start or relieve for Gateway.

The Frontier League All-Star game was Wednesday night in Normal.  Gateway ace Tim Brown got the start on the mound for the West Division and surrendered a home run to Traverse City infielder Jose Vargas.  Jonathan Johnson went 0-1, Jerod Yakubik 1-2 and Landon Hernandez finished 1-1, all in a reserve role.

Gateway will enjoy a favorable second half schedule, full of home games.  The Grizzlies will play 9 of their first 12 games in the second half @ home.

Talk to you on the Grizzlies Radio Network Thursday night @ 6:50 with the Budweiser Pregame Show.  Go Grizzlies!

          -Voice of the Grizzlies, Adam Young

Grizzlies Finishing Up First Half

Hello all!  The All-Star break is approaching and the Grizzlies are playing good baseball as they head into the final weekend of the first half.  After two tough losses to Windy City, the Grizzlies have three games in Rockford to finish up the first half.  Below are Radio Highlights (8 full minutes) from the first half of the season, as heard on the Gateway Grizzlies Radio Network. 

Grizzlies Radio Highlights (1st Half of the Season)

Congratulation to the four Grizzlies All-Stars; Tim Brown, Jonathan Johnson, Jerod Yakubik and Landon Hernandez (from left to right; pictured above).  Gateway will try to finish off the first half on a high note with the final three games.  I'll talk you on the Grizzlies Radio Network this weekend!

   -Voice of the Grizzlies, Adam Young

Grizzlies Offense Exploding

Photos courtesy of Paul Baillargeon/ActionImaging.com

How about this Grizzlies offense?? It has been a great stretch of five games for the Grizzlies, who are swinging the bats as well as they have all season.  Gateway has won four of their last five and have scored 39 runs over that span.  After a remarkable 13-11 comeback extra inning win Friday night, the Grizzlies responded with a seven-run first inning en route to a 10-6 win last night against Southern Illinois.  Below are radio highlights from the Grizzlies recent surge, as heard on the Gateway Grizzlies Radio Network.

Gateway Grizzlies Radio Highlights

Gateway will try to keep the bats rockin' tonight.  They look to win their second straight series when they take on the Miners @ 6:05 CT.  It will be another hot one at GCS ballpark, but despite the heat we hope to see everyone here for the great 4th of July week.  Keep in mind, the Grizzlies have changed game times on Tuesday and Wednesday from 6:05 to 7:05, due to the heat.

Chris Enourato goes tonight for the Grizzlies and they will try to win their third game in a row.  Talk to you on the air tonight!

   Voice of the Grizzlies, Adam Young