07/28/2006 10:24 PM - GARY, Ind. – The T-Bones (29-33, 7-7) dropped the first of a three-game series with the Gary SouthShore RailCats (30-32, 6-8) by a 7-2 count in front of 4, 904 fans Friday night at the US Steelyard in Gary, Ind.

The T-Bones made their first move in the second inning. Darryl Lawhorn reached base on a four-pitch walk, and advanced to third when Doug Dreher notched his 13th double of the season into the right field corner. Lawhorn scored when Robbie Knapp grounded out to third, but the T-Bones had the early 1-0 lead.

The RailCats responded in the bottom of the second, making a statement by plating four runs off of T-Bones starter Larry Robles. Gary used two singles, a double, two walks, and a T-Bones error to take a 4-1 lead after the second inning.

Kansas City narrowed the gap in the third as Zach Norman, the newest T-Bone on the roster, made the most of his second at bat with his new club, sending a pitch from RailCats starter Willie Glen over the left field wall for his first Northern League Home Run. The shot brought the T-Bones to within two runs at 4-2.

The T-Bones threatened again in the fifth, loading the bases with two outs thanks to the pitching struggles Glen who walked two T-Bones and gave up a double to J.D. Foust. With the bases loaded, Eddie Pearson popped out to third to end the inning.

Gary struck again in the sixth, plating two runs on three singles and another T-Bone error and took a tighter grip on the game with another run coming on three hits in the seventh, which left the RailCats with a 7-2 lead after seven complete innings.

Kansas City saw another threat fall apart in the eighth inning. With two outs, Pearson singled to left field, then advanced to second on a walk by Craig Hurba. A single by Lawhorn advanced all runners, leaving the bases loaded for Dreher. With a full count, however, Dreher swung at a ball out of the zone, and ended the inning with the T-Bones still trailing 7-2.

For the fourth consecutive game, a T-Bones starting pitcher lasted less than five innings. Robles pitched just two complete innings and allowed four runs on three hits while waking four and pitched one strikeout in a losing effort.

The same two teams will meet again Saturday night. Hank Woodman will take the mound for the T-Bones. He will meet a Gary starter that has yet to be announced. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. at US Steelyard in Gary.