Titans' Grills suffers loss to Capitales

Left-hander Evan Grills (Whitby, Ont.) started for the Ottawa Titans on Saturday and allowed five runs in five innings to the Quebec Capitales and was saddled with a loss. Photo: Ottawa Titans

August 20, 2022

Official Ottawa Titans News Release

Quebec City, Que. - The Ottawa Titans (46-36) were held scoreless for the second time in as many days, dropping another 6-0 decision to the Quebec Capitales on Saturday night.

The Titans seemed to be in the driver's seat against righty Henry Omana in the first, putting two on with one away. After a strikeout for the second out, a wild pitch advanced both Brendon Dadson (Bowmanville, Ont.) and Jason Dicochea into scoring position. Making a hard turn around the bag at third, Dadson slipped on the turf, allowing Jeffry Parra to cut down Dadson to end the inning.

Evan Grills (Whitby, Ont.) took to the hill in the middle game of the series, allowing the first three to reach. Following back-to-back strikeouts had Grills an out away, Jonathan Lacroix (Montreal, Que.) smacked a double to left, scoring a pair.

The Capitales' offence didn't let up in the third, sending eight to the plate. Lacroix knocked in a third run, before Ruben Castro knocked in two, putting the Capitales ahead 5-0.

Omana was yanked after five scoreless innings, which saw the righty walk five in the victory. The Titans had the lead-off man on six different occasions, failing to score.

Trailing 5-0, Grills was given the hook after five innings, allowing five runs, on 10 hits, walking a season-high tying three, and striking out five in the loss. The Canadian lefty has now allowed 44 hits in his last 27 innings of work.

Nelson Gonzalez and Kyle Serrano tossed scoreless innings out of the bullpen before Kevin Escorcia surrendered a solo homer to Josh Sears in the eighth, making it 6-0.

The Capitales used four relievers out of the bullpen to take the second game of the series, setting up a chance to sweep Sunday evening.

In the loss, Jason Dicochea finished 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles, while Tyrus Greene went 1-for-2 with a double and a pair of walks. The Titans have not scored a run in a season-high 18 1/3 innings.

The Titans finish their series tomorrow night against the Capitales at 5:05 p.m. from Stade Canac.