Burris Stars In River Dragons' Comeback Win Over O'Fallon

(Photo by Nathan Woodside)

Recap courtesy of the Alton River Dragons:

ALTON, Ill. - Blake Burris had three hits, three steals and two RBI to lead the Alton River Dragons to the 8-6 comeback win over the O'Fallon Hoots Wednesday. A pair of new pitchers, signed less than 24 hours earlier, did the rest. Tank Hanslow and Brady Salzman combined to pitch the final 4.1 innings, holding the potent O'Fallon line-up to just one more run after the fifth inning.

The win is the 50th in the franchise's history.

The River Dragons had led 4-0 and 5-1 before O'Fallon rallied to take a 6-5 lead late.  In the bottom of the eighth, the River Dragons responded.  Troy Johnson led off with a bunt single and came around to score thanks to two steals and a wild pitch and the score was tied 6-6.

Burris come up later in the inning with  runners at second and third and brought in the go ahead run with an infield single.  A Mike Hampton sac fly later in the inning built the lead to 8-6 which the River Dragons closed out in the ninth.

The win ends a three-game skid and puts the team back above .500% at 23-22.

Burris ends the game with 99 career hits, one away from the century mark.  Along with his effort, Johnson also had two hits.

On the mound, position player Robby Taul started and did a solid job tossing the first 4.1 innings.  He then handed the ball to Hanslow who allowed one earned run on four hits over the next 2.2

Salzman finished the game, pitching the scoreless eighth and ninth innings to collect the win.

The win is the second this season for the team when trailing after seven and the team's 13th come from behind win in total.

Alton has Thursday off before a three-game weekend road swing.  The next home game is Monday night at 6:35pm vs. Quincy.