O'FALLON, MO — The River City Rascals dropped the middle game of their series against the Evansville Otters on Saturday night at CarShield Field, losing by a final of 3-2. The Otters won despite not recording a hit after the second inning, and neither team had a hit after the fourth.
The Otters scored two in the top of the second, with Travis Harrison scoring from second base on a Rascals throwing error by shortstop Ransom LaLonde trying to nab Mike Rizzitello at first base. Rizzitello would then score on a bases-loaded walk to David Cronin. Kevin Suarez brought the Rascals within one with his first career homer to lead off the bottom of the second. Clint Freeman tied the game at two with an RBI double in the third.
The Otters took the 3-2 lead in the sixth. Jeff Gardner walked and made it to second on a throwing error by Rascals pitcher Chad Gendron off of a fielder's choice from Rizzitello. After another grounder advanced Gardner to third, he came in to score on a fielder's choice groundout by Zach Welz.
Tyler Beardsley (3-5) earned the win in his first start with the team. He allowed two runs in five innings, striking out six. The Otters bullpen combined to allow just a single baserunner through the final four innings, with Mitchell Aker earning his 17th save.
Dan Ludwig took a no-decision for the Rascals, allowing two unearned runs in three innings, walking three and striking out six. Gendron (0-3) took the loss, allowing the unearned go-ahead run. The Rascals bullpen combined for six hitless innings, issuing a combined four walks and hitting an Otters batter with a pitch. Jackson Sigman struck out three in his team debut.
The Rascals (33-31) and Otters (31-33) play the rubber match of their series Sunday night, with first pitch scheduled for 6:05 pm CT.