FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: (September 2, 2017)
Contact: Jared Shlensky
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Box Score

GARY, Ind. — Six shutout innings from the Gary bullpen and three sacrifice flies from the offense led the RailCats to a 4-1 win over the Lincoln Saltdogs in a game that was delayed in the middle of the seventh due to rain for one hour and 27 minutes. Saturday’s win keeps Gary one game behind Fargo-Moorhead for first in the Wild Card after the RedHawks defeated the reigning champion Winnipeg Goldeyes, 4-1, earlier in the day.

Sam Myers (2-0) retired the first seven hitters he faced in the win out of the bullpen. The right-hander allowed two hits and a walk in 2.2 scoreless innings. Drasen Johnson (4) worked a perfect top of the eighth in his fourth hold of the year while Jorge De Leon (10) secured the win with the save in the top of the ninth.

Gary (55-43) took their first lead of the series on Cameron Newell’s sacrifice fly in the top of the first. Alex Crosby pulled a double into the right-center field gap for the first of the game before Joey Havrilak singled to right, giving Gary runners on the corners. Newell followed with a sacrifice fly down the left field line, bringing home Crosby from third.

Lincoln (58-39) evened the game with a run in the second. Christian Ibarra led off the inning with a single before Nathaniel Maggio brought him around to score with an RBI double off the top of the left-center wall.

The RailCats regained the lead with another run in the third. Crosby started the inning with a single to right before Havrilak moved him to second with a groundout to the right side of the infield. Crosby then advanced to third on a Derek Gordon wild pitch before scoring on the second sacrifice fly of the night from Newell.

Gary increased their lead to 3-1 on Frank Martinez’s team-high 65th RBI in the sixth. Newell extended his season-high on-base streak to 19 games with a one-out walk before Colin Willis singled to left-center, giving the RailCats runners on the corners. Martinez followed Willis with an RBI fielder’s choice, scoring Newell.

The RailCats added their final run in the eighth to go up 4-1. With runners on first and third and one out, Crosby brought in De Jesus from third on a sacrifice fly for the final run of the night.

Gordon (9-4) was charged with the loss in his return from the seven-day disabled list for Lincoln. The right-hander allowed two runs on two hits, a walk and three strikeouts over four innings of relief.

Gary continues their four-game homestand on Sunday night at 6:10 p.m. vs. Lincoln. Southpaw Jeff McKenzie (4-4, 4.02) opposes his former team for the second time this season while the Saltdogs counter with left-hander Bennett Parry (3-2, 2.02).

Sunday’s game is Fan Appreciation Night and features both Fireworks and a pre-game catch of the field. Bring a ball and your glove for a chance to play catch on the field before the game and remember to stick around after the game for the Fan Appreciation Fireworks Weekend Show!

Jared Shlensky and Austin Anderson bring you all 100 RailCats games this season on WEFM (95.9 FM) 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.