There was a problem, though.

The Rocks' third of four errors in the nightcap, a dropped fly ball by the center fielder with two out in the bottom of the eighth, gave the hosting Silver Streaks new life. While it took two more innings, the Streaks finally took advantage, scoring a run in the bottom of the 10th on reserve Mike Dennison's RBI single to salvage a split.

After Rocky won a wild opener 10-9, in which the visitors had to hold off Galesburg's seventh-inning rally, the Streaks finally ended the contrasting Game 2's pitching duel with a 3-2 victory.

The split leaves a huge logjam atop the Big 6 standings with Rock Island (19-7), Galesburg (16-7) and Alleman (18-6 and at Galesburg Saturday) all at 4-2 in the league. Moline (10-5) looms with a 2-2 record and a twinbill makeup at Quincy slated for next Tuesday.

In the opener, RI got three RBIs from winning pitcher Andrew Tarnow (4-1) and two each from Zach Norris (five runs scored in the set from his leadoff spot), Rylander and Loy.

``We had a chance, to not really distance ourselves, but put ourselves in a better position,'' said RI coach Andy Campbell, frustrated by the way his team missed its chance to sweep the twinbill twice postponed.

It appeared as if the Rocks had done just that in the top of the eighth. Kirk Rylander's two-out double scored Zach Norris, who had doubled an out earlier, to put the Rocks on top 2-1. Rylander, 3-for-7 with two runs scored and three RBIs in the set, was later thrown out at the plate trying to score an insurance run on Derek Goetzl's bloop single.

While the Rocks had to work to manufacture their run in the top of the inning, they were gracious in the bottom. Starting pitcher Bryant Loy's great effort was wasted, though he wasn't without culpability, hitting Joe Peachey with a full-count fastball with one out. After Loy fanned Brad Redfern, Peachey stole second and went to third on a wild throw from the catcher. It looked as if Loy, who gave up just four hits in eight innings, striking out six, had put it away when Billy Camper hit a high fly ball to left center. Ryan Lievens worked his way under it, but had the ball pop out of his glove to allow the tying run to score.

``There were a lot of other things earlier that happened that could have decided the game,'' Campbell said. ``It was just that that was for the last out and it gets magnified.''

Two innings later, reserve Dennison delivered his first game-winning hit, off reliever Brad Spence (3-2).