Crushers shut out by Gateway, 11-0

Little to nothing went right for the Crushers at Mercy Health Stadium on Aug. 18, as they suffered an 11-0 loss to the Gateway Grizzlies in the series opener. 

Lake Erie (32-50) has lost three in a row while the victory for the Grizzlies (50-31) was their fourth in as many games against Lake Erie this season. 

Gateway took the lead just three pitches into the game as Jairus Richards smashed a solo homer, his 13th of the season. Two batters later, Cole Brannen tripled to right. Stephen Chamblee (1-1) then struck out Mark Vierling, but on a dropped third strike, the Crushers threw out Vierling at first and Brannen stole home to make it 2-0 Grizzlies. 

Keen Irizarry hit a double for the Crushers. Stephen Chamblee started, took the loss and fell to 3-6 on the season. He pitched four innings, allowed six hits, four earned runs and struck out three.

The Crushers and Grizzlies continue their series Aug. 19 in Avon. First pitch is 6:05 p.m.