Rascals Split Double Header Against Grizzlies

O'FALLON, Mo. - River City Rascals manager Steve Brook said at the start of the season that new first baseman Joash Brodin would become a crowd favorite.     

It took less than a week for the hard-hitting Brodin to win the hearts of Rascal Nation.  Brodin went 3-for-4 and drove in the go-ahead run on Thursday to lead the Rascals to a 6-2 win over Gateway and a split of the Frontier League twin-bill before 889 fans at T.R. Hughes Ballpark.     

River City improved to 4-2 with the win in the nightcap. Gateway (2-4) won the first game 3-1 behind pitcher Mark Brackman, who allowed just one run and four hits in a seven-inning complete-game effort. Brodin ripped a home run in the seventh inning to account for the Rascals' only run.    

Brodin, an all-star with the Oakland County Cruisers last season, was acquired in a December deal. He was 5-for-7 in Thursday's doubleheader and played a part in every one of his team's offensive outbursts.     "It's early, but I'm feeling really comfortable," said Brodin. "I'm just trying to get into a groove."     

River City tallied early and often in bouncing back from a tough opening-game loss. The Rascals scored twice in the first inning and erupted for four runs in the third to take a 6-2 lead. "We had a real nice approach at the plate and got some timely hits," said Brook.      

Brodin played a huge role in the third inning blitz as River City sent 10 batters to the plate. He drilled a ringing double into the left-center field gap to break a 2-2 tie. Jason Carr and Brian Harris followed with run-scoring singles up the middle. Chad Maddox added a base-loaded hit to complete the eruption     

The 24-year-old Brodin, who resides in Olympia, Washington, has 10 hits in 24 at-bats (.417) over his first six games for the Rascals.  "It's a great feeling to know that you are wanted on a baseball team," said Brodin. "It's fun here. I'm excited for the rest of the season."     

Brook is more than happy to have Brodin bulking up the middle of a power-packed lineup.  "He's pretty consistent with his numbers," Brook said. "He's going to play a big role here."     

River City righthander Gary Moran threw seven innings to pick up the complete-game win. He gave up two runs on five hits. A former San Francisco Giants farmhand, Moran struck out six and walked two.     

The Rascals scored twice in the opening frame off Gateway starter B.J. Dail. Stephen Holdren and Brodin drove in Brandon Johnson and Chris McClendon with singles.  Gateway scored single runs in the second and third to tie the game before the Rascals' four-run explosion.    

"This lineup is capable of scoring a lot of runs," said Brodin. "We've got a lot of good hitters here."          

NOTES:    

• Like Brodin, McClendon also had three hits in the nightcap.   
• Each of the River City starters reached safely by the third inning of Game Two.    
• The Rascals hit the road for the first time this season when they travel to Florence, Kentucky to take on the Freedom in a three-game series beginning Friday. They return home to start a six-game homestand on Tuesday.   
• River City took the best-of-three series 2-1. The teams split 12 games last season.