Box Score

Game Highlights

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 25, 2018
Contact: Jared Shlensky
[email protected]

Rosemont, Ill. — The first three-hit game of the year for Randy Santiesteban and a five-run top of the fourth wasn’t enough for Gary as the RailCats fell to the Chicago Dogs, 7-6, in front of 2,340 fans on Monday night in the inaugural regular-season game between the two teams at Impact Field. Gary put the tying run on second base with two outs in the top of the ninth, however, Wilfredo Gimenez grounded out deep in the hole at shortstop to end the game.

Chicago (10-24) took the opening lead in the first regular-season game from Rosemont, Ill., with a four-run bottom of the second. Joe Benson led off the frame with a single to left before Tony Rosselli launched a one-out double to the warning track in center field, giving the Dogs runners on second and third. Ryan Wagner followed with a two-run double into the left field corner, plating both Benson and Rosselli. Matt Telesco then advanced Wagner to third with a foulout down the right field line before scoring on a wild pitch from Alex Gunn. Former RailCat Michael Falsetti delivered the final run of the inning with a two-out solo homer on to the left field concourse for his first long ball of the year.

Gary (18-16) got on the board with a two-out run in the top of the third. Reggie Wilson reached base for the first time on the evening with a two-out walk before Andy De Jesus moved him to third with a single through the right side of the infield. Randy Santiesteban followed with an RBI single to left, scoring Wilson from third.

The ‘Cats took their first lead at Impact Field with a five-run top of the fourth. Andy Paz started the inning with a double to the center field wall before Alex Crosby brought him home with an RBI single to center. John Price Jr. advanced Crosby to third with a single to center for his first hit of the night before Cole Fabio brought them both home to tie the game with a two-run double down the third base line. Wilson gave Gary their first ever regular-season lead from Rosemont, Ill., with an RBI triple to center before Santiesteban made it 6-4 with his second RBI single of the game.

The Dogs quickly tied the game at 6-6 with two runs in the bottom of the fourth. Rosselli made it 6-5 with a solo home run down the right field line on his second of three extra-base hits of the evening. Two batters later, Telesco singled to right before Falsetti drew a walk. Jonathan Moroney followed with an RBI single to left, bringing around Telesco from second on the last of his three hits.

Chicago regained the lead for good with a two-out run in the bottom of the seventh. With Vavra on second and two outs in the frame, Benson came through with an RBI single to center, bringing Vavra around to score from second.

Myles Smith (0-1) was charged with his first loss after allowing one run on two hits and a walk in the bottom of the seventh while Jared Carkuff (1-0) recorded his first win after allowing no runs on two hits in 1.2 innings of relief. Tommy Thorpe (1) secured the win with the four-out save for the Dogs.

Gary concludes their five-game road trip on Tuesday morning at 11:35 a.m. against the Chicago Dogs at Impact Field. LHP Lars Liguori (1-4, 4.11) makes his first career start against Chicago while the Dogs counter with RHP John Goossen-Brown (2-3, 4.93) in game two of the four-game series.    

Gary returns home to U.S. Steel Yard on Wednesday for two games against the Chicago Dogs. Wednesday’s game is at 7:10 p.m. and is another “Office Wednesday”, Pretzel Night, NorthShore Health Centers Wednesday and Wine Wednesday. Fans can sign up for the “Office Olympics” Jersey Auction during the game and can also purchase $2.50 Bavarian Pretzels and $4 Barefoot Wine and Barefoot Refresh Spritzers.

Jared Shlensky and Brennan Mense bring you all 100 RailCats game this season on WEFM (95.9 FM) and online at railcatsbaseball.com. Ticket packages for the 2018 Gary SouthShore RailCats season are available online at railcatsbaseball.com and can also be purchased by calling the RailCats ticket line at (219) 882-BALL. The RailCats box office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.