FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: (July 22, 2017)
Contact: Jared Shlensky
[email protected]
Article written by Austin Anderson, Broadcast & Media Relations Assistant

GARY, Ind. — The Gary SouthShore RailCats were unable to win their third consecutive extra-inning affair as the Sioux City Explorers outlasted the RailCats, 6-4 ,in 12 innings on Blue Line Night at U.S. Steel Yard. Sioux City’s Levon Washington’s two-run home run in the top half of the 12th proved to be the difference in the middle game of the series.                                                                                          

After getting shutout to 10-0 on Friday night in a rain shortened contest, Gary (34-27) got their first runs of the series with a pair in the first. Cameron Newell recorded the first hit of the game with a double to left-center before Tyler Sullivan moved Newell up to third with a groundout to the right side. Reggie Wilson gave the RailCats their first run of the series with an RBI single to right field. Frank Martinez moved Wilson to second with a groundout to third before Randy Santiesteban increased Gary’s lead to 2-0 with a two-out RBI double down the third base line.

Sioux City (29-29) tied the game with two, two-out runs in the fourth. Joe Bennie gave the Explorers their first hit with a single through the left side of the infield. Two batters later, Tyler Ogle drew a walk before Levon Washington reached on an infield single to load the bases. Michael Lang evened the game at 2-2 with a two-run single to right-center, plating both Bennie and Ogle.                                                                                   

The RailCats regained the lead in the bottom of the fifth when Tyler Sullivan hit a two-out RBI single to score Andy DeJesus. DeJesus reached base via a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Chase Harris.                                                                      

In the top of the sixth, Sioux City responded. Bennie led off the inning with a single to center and scored on an RBI double from Jayce Ray to tie the game at three. Ray advanced to third on an error from Harris, before scoring on Washington’s sacrifice fly to give Sioux City their first lead of the day at 4-3.

In the bottom of the sixth, Gary tied the game with a two-out rally. Santiesteban singled and advanced on a wild pitch before Wilfredo Gimenez drove in Santiesteban with an RBI single.                                                           

The score stayed the same until the top of the 12th when Lavon Washington hit a two-run home run over the right field wall to give the Explorers a 6-4 lead. Ray began the inning with a double and was along for the ride on Washington’s long ball.

Carlos Pinales (0-1) suffered the loss after giving up two runs on two hits in the top of the 12th. Sioux City’s Brad Orosey (3-3) did not allow a run in two innings of relief to earn the victory.

Gary concludes their six-game homestand on Sunday afternoon at 2:10 p.m. against Sioux City. Southpaw Alex Gunn (5-4, 4.23) opposes Explorers left-hander Kramer Sneed (2-2, 6.88) in the rubber game of the series.                                               

Sunday’s game is Christmas in July, the World’s Largest White Elephant Gift Exchange, Partners for Clean Air Day, Kids Run the Bass and Pre-game Catch on the Field. The RailCats welcome Santa to The Steelyard for Christmas in July and the RailCats look to break the world record with the World’s Largest White Elephant Gift Exchange. Bring a wrapped gift and you can exchange it for another wrapped gift at the gate. Partners for Clean Air will be on site giving away a bike per inning. Visit their table on the concourse for your chance to win a free bike and obtain great info. on air quality in NW Indiana. Make sure you bring a ball and glove for your chance to play catch on the field before the game. And don’t forget to stick around after the game as kids get to run the bases!                                                                                                                                                   

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.