[rink23]

Record: 34-28, 3rd, 5.5 GB Springfield
The St. Louis River Walkers decided not to retain second baseman Marcos Francis after his two seasons with the team, he made them pay in an 8-4 loss to Des Moines at Green Canyon Park.
Francis put up All-Star numbers in his two seasons in St. Louis, but because of his age 33), the River Walkers opted to let him walk and he signed a deal that could earn him more than $80 million over the next four seasons.
In this game, Francis went 2 for 4 with two runs scored and a grand slam that accounted for all four of his RBIs.
In addition, Francis singled off River Walkers starter Kevin Hrdlicka in the bottom of the second and later scored for his team's first run to make it 3-1.
Francis made his biggest contribution in the fifth, hitting a grand slam off Hrdlicka to highlight a five-run inning which turned a 4-1 deficit into an 6-4 advantage for the Harvesters.
Des Moines added two more runs in the bottom of the sixth against reliever Jesse Gaither.
Pinch-hitter John Docherty led off the inning with a home run.
Joe Allen doubled with one out and scored on a two-out single by David Tapley.
Des Moines starting pitcher Pat Walkers lasted four innings, allowing all four River Walkers runs on five hits. He struck out four and walked a pair.
After that, Neil Freiberger worked a pair of scoreless innings.
Freiberger (2-0) earned the win.
Dave Vacarri, Davey Matteson and Mark Polzin all pitched scoreless innings to end the game.