[rink23]

Record: 88-68, 3rd, 5 GB Springfield
This one could prove to be fatal.
St. Louis starting pitcher Kevin Hrdlicka shut out Grand Rapids over the first seven innings, but the Traders bludgeoned the River Walkers bullpen for six runs in the bottom of the eighth on their way to a 6-3 win at the Polo Grounds (1923).
The win allowed Grand Rapids to split the four-game series. The loss dropped St. Louis five games behind National League South Division leading Springfield with six games remaining.
Hrdlicka dominated during his time on the mound scattering four singles while striking out eight and walking none over the first seven innings as the Walkers took a 3-0 lead.
But Hrdlicka also threw 103 pitches in that span leading it up the St. Louis bullpen to finish the game.
They were not up to the task.
Rookie Maximilliano Minelli got the first shot.
He was greeted by a lead-off single by Jose Montano before issuing a walk to Christian Moore.
Minelli, however, did get Bruce Herrera to hit into a fielder's choice , with Moore being retired at second, for the first out.
Enter Leo Hermosillo who had allowed one run on three hits in his previous seven outings.
He didn't retire a batter.
Sal Rendon doubled on the first pitch he saw, scoring Montano.
Pinch-hitter Edwin Palos followed with a single, scoring Herrera to make it 3-2.
Another pinch-hitter, Ricardo Santillan, drew a walk.
It was now Jesse Gaither's turn.
All he did was allow three consecutive singles to, Nick Velez, Roberto Hernandez and Savion McMullen, as the game turned from a 3-2 St. Louis lead to 6-3 in favor of the Traders.
Grand Rapids starting pitcher Mark MacDougall went five innings, allowing one run -- on a Mark Waterson solo homer in the fourth -- on five hits. He struck out four and walked two.
Andy Burnam pitched a scoreless sixth for Grand Rapids.
The Walkers tallied twice in the seventh against Pablo Ochoa to take their 3-0 lead.
Zach Stella handled the eighth, retiring St. Louis in order.
Mike Law started the ninth, giving up a lead-off single to Ryan Wibbenmeyer, before exiting with a hamstring injury.
Chris Patton faced just two batters to end it, getting Danny Diaz to hit into a double play for the final two outs, for his first save.