Crushers’ Win Streak Snapped at Six

Sauget, IL - August 12, 2025 - The Lake Erie Crushers (46-31) saw their six-game winning streak snapped against the Gateway Grizzlies (46-32) on Tuesday night. The Crushers fell 13-6 and now lead the Central Division by one game.

3B DJ Stewart got to LHP Jack Eisenbarger early with a 1st inning two-run homer. Then the Grizzlies put across two more runs in the 2nd to go up 4-0. Eisenbarger settled down in the subsequent innings, but an RBI fielder’s choice in the 5th pushed across another Gateway run, and Eisenbarger exited with 100 pitches through just five innings. His final line: 5 IP, 5 H, 5 R (4 ER), 4 BB, 5 K. 

The Crushers got on the board thanks to a 3B Zach Campbell RBI knock in the 6th. Campbell then scored on a broken play around the first base bag to get within three runs, 5-2.

Unfortunately, the Lake Erie bullpen couldn’t quell the Gateway bats, as the Grizzlies went on to score eight runs over the next three innings to put the game away.

In a bit of silver lining, LF Burle Dixon took the rubber for the final two outs of the 8th inning, inducing two flyouts to officially give him a 0.00 career ERA.

The Crushers, down 13-2 coming into the 9th, put four runs across on newly acquired RHP Jake Burcham. RBI hits from CF Dario Gomez and Burle Dixon as well as RBI’s from C Alfredo Gonzalez and RF Sam Franco gave a little bit of window dressing to an otherwise tough loss on Tuesday. The final score: 13-6.

Gage Vailes (5-2) struck out 10 Crushers in his winning effort. Jack Eisenbarger (8-3) was defeated in a start for the first time since June 25th, the last time the Crushers dropped a game when Eisenbarger got the ball.

The series with the Grizzlies continues at the same time, same place tomorrow, August 13th at 7:30pm ET. The team returns home to Avon on Friday, August 22nd. Tickets are online at lakeeriecrushers.com/tickets! 

Can’t join us at the ballpark? You can stream Crushers games home and away in 2025 on the brand new Frontier League streaming partner, HomeTeam Network or watch live on local television on Rock Entertainment Sports Network (RESN) in Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati markets!

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Whether it’s a birthday celebration, youth sports night, corporate event, or family reunion, group outings with the Crushers offer great fan experiences and benefits, including reserved seating and special perks. Visit www.LakeErieCrushers.com/groups or call (440) 934-3636 for more information.

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About the Lake Erie Crushers

The Lake Erie Crushers are a professional baseball team that plays just 18 miles outside Cleveland at the 5,000 seat Crushers Stadium in Avon, Ohio. They compete in the Frontier League - a prestigious MLB Partner League. Since its founding in 2009, the Crushers have been dedicated to delivering exciting baseball and family-friendly entertainment to fans in Northeast Ohio.