FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: (July 31, 2017)
Contact: Jared Shlensky
[email protected]

Box Score

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas – A combined three-hitter from Jorge De Leon, Jesse Pratt, Carlos Diaz and Drasen Johnson led the Gary SouthShore RailCats to a 4-1 win over the Texas AirHogs in the middle game of the series. Monday’s win gave was Gary’s 10th series victory in their last 12 and improved the RailCats record against the South Division to 14-4.

After scoring seven of their 10 runs with two outs on Sunday night, Gary (39-29) took the opening lead with three, two-out runs in the third. Cameron Newell made it 1-0 with an RBI single down the left field line before Randy Santiesteban took Austin Kubitza deep to left for a two-run home run on the first pitch he saw. 

The RailCats added to their lead with another run in the fifth. Colin Willis led off the inning with a five-pitch walk before Newell moved him to third with a single through the right side. Santiesteban then grounded into double play, allowing Willis to score from third.

Texas (25-42) snapped Gary’s combined no-hitter on Jake Taylor’s leadoff single in the seventh. Ryne Willard drew a walk with two outs before Taylor swiped third without a throw. Trevor Sealey ended the shutout with a two-out, opposite filed RBI single to right field, cutting the RailCats lead to 4-1.

 Pratt (2-2) earned his first win as a RailCat and his second of the year with 2.2 scoreless innings of relief. The right-handed sidewinder walked two batters, hit a batter and struck out two.

Johnson (8) secured the win with the six-out save. Johnson retired six of the seven hitters he faced and recorded two punchouts.

Kubitza (1-3) was charged with loss after despite not allowing an earned run. Kubitza allowed three unearned runs on three hits and three walks while striking out three.
 
De Leon tossed three shutout frames in his first start since April 24, 2015 for the RailCats. De Leon didn’t yield a hit, walked one, struck out one and retired nine of the 10 hitters he faced.

Gary concludes their three-game road series against Texas on Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m. Two-time All-Star Charle Rosario (8-4, 3.19) opposes AirHogs right-hander Jared Mortensen (3-1, 3.75) in the final game of the year between the two teams on Tuesday night.
 
Gary returns home to U.S. Steel Yard on Thursday, August 3rd for the start of a seven-game homestand. Thursday’s series opener vs. the reigning champion Winnipeg Goldeyes is at 7:10 p.m. and is Strike Out Stroke Night, courtesy of Methodist Hospitals. Thursday’s game also features a Food Truck Rally and is another Gerber and Thirsty Thursday. Northwest Indiana’s best food trucks will be setup on the concourse during the game and remember to visit your local Northwest Indiana Gerber Collision & Glass for complimentary reserved seat tickets. And don’t forget about our special Miller Lite Thirsty Thursday with discount domestic drafts all around the ballpark!

Jared Shlensky and Austin Anderson bring you all 100 RailCats games this season on WEFM (95.9FM) and online at railcatsbaseball.com. Fans can purchase tickets for RailCats home games by calling (219) 882-BALL or online at railcatsbaseball.com. The RailCats box office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.