FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: (July 14, 2017)
Contact: Jared Shlensky
[email protected]
Article Written by Austin Anderson, Broadcast & Media Relations Assistant 

Box Score

GARY, Ind. — Down 3-0 after three innings, Gary rallied with six runs in the middle three innings to take down the Salina Stockade, 8-6, on Jimmy Buffet night at U.S. Steel Yard. Frank Martinez reached base a game-high four times and drove in three runs to lead the way offensively in the win for Gary.        

Salina (6-47) jumped in front with three runs on four singles in the third. Jonathan Moroney led off the inning with a single to right before Aaron Stubblefield advanced him to second with a groundout to the right side. Aaron Olivas gave the Stockade runners on the corners with a flare to right-center before Troy brought in the game’s first run with an RBI single up the middle. Kewby Meyer increased Salina’s lead to two with the final hit of the inning, scoring Olivas. Jesse Baker followed Meyer with an RBI groundout to second, bringing home Paris for the final run of the inning.

Gary (30-24) got on the board with an unearned run in the fourth. Martinez drew his second of two walks to begin the frame before Randy Santiesteban singled back through the middle for the first RailCats hit of the night. James Alfonso then advanced both baserunners with a sacrifice bunt up the third base line, however, Stockade pitcher Jordan Cummings airmailed the throw into the stands, allowing Martinez to score on the play.

The RailCats trimmed the Stockade lead to 3-2 with a two-out run in the fifth. Reggie Wilson pulled a double down the right field line to start the frame before Martinez brought him around to score from third with an RBI single to center.

The RailCats offense came alive in the sixth inning. John Holland started the rally with a one-out walk. He advanced to second when Chase Harris was hit by a pitch. They both advanced on a double steal. Cam Newell walked to load the bases, before Wilson hit a two-run double, scoring Holland and Willis to give the RailCats a 4-3 lead. Wilson’s double was his second of the game. Colin Willis followed with a strikeout, before Martinez hit a two-run single, plating Newell and Wilson to make the score 6-3.

Salina bounced back quickly in the top of the seventh when Olivas grounded into a fielder’s choice to score Jordan Caillouet. Caillouet reached on a leadoff single, advanced to second on Moroney’s single, and got to third on Stubblefield’s groundout.

In the bottom of the seventh, Gary’s offensive outburst continued. Ryan Fitzgerald hit a one-out triple. He scored on Holland’s RBI single. The RailCats later in the inning added another run when Harris scored on Newell’s RBI single to make the score 8-4.

In the top of the ninth Woodard led off with a single. He advanced to third on Caillouet’s double. A pair of RBI groundouts from Moroney and Stubblefield made the score 8-6. Olivas followed with a flyout to left to end the ballgame.

Charle Rosario (7-4) gave up four earned runs in seven innings to earn the victory. He allowed eight hits, walked none, and struck out four. Former RailCat Jake Eaton (0-2) gave up four runs, three earned, in an inning of work in the defeat.

Gary continues its three-game series against Salina on Saturday at 6:10 p.m. RailCats southpaw Alex Gunn counters against the Stockade’s Josh Hodges (1-1, 7.31) in the middle game of the series.

Saturday is Star Wars Night from the Steel Yard. Don't miss your chance to meet Darth Vader. You're sure to learn something new about the force or how to use your lightsaber! Make sure you're here early as the team will also be on the concourse for pre-game autographs when gates open!

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.