MARION -- The only thing that would have made the Southern Illinois Miners' second annual "Stand Up For Blue" night even better was a victory.
An announced attendance of 6,395 filled Rent One Park to show support for law enforcement but it was the visiting Normal CornBelters that won the game over the Miners, 5-1, to also claim the series win.
The lone run for the Miners came in the sixth inning on a solo homer by Ryan Sluder -- after Normal had built a 5-0 lead.
Normal's first run came in the third inning when Yeixon Ruiz tripled to drive in Brian Hakes, then scored on a single by Santiago Chirino. The lead grew with three runs in the top of the sixth, a rally capped by an RBI double from Miguel Torres.
Romeo Cortina had three hits and Anthony Critelli had two for the Miners in the loss.
The Miners are now 31-44 this season. Normal is now 36-38.
In Wednesday's game, the Miners used a homer by Craig Massoni to post a 3-2 win over the CornBelters, who had won the series opener, 2-0.
Zach Cooper got the win to improve to 4-8. He struck out five and held Normal down after giving up two runs -- one of them unearned -- in the opening frame.
Massoni hit into a double play with Craig Massey and Nolan Earley on base to score the Miners' first run in the fourth inning after Massey and Earley singled. In the sixth, Massey reached on an error and scored when Earley flew out and a throwing error was attached.
Massoni then drilled a 2-0 pitch into the home bullpen to put the Miners ahead and it stayed that way. John Werner pitched the ninth for his 17th save of the season.
Normal's Shawn Blackwell pitched the entire game and struck out nine but took the loss.
Southern Illinois now heads to Evansville for a weekend series against the Otters (40-34) at historic Bosse Field.
