Box Score

Game Highlights

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 14, 2018
Contact: Jared Shlensky
[email protected]

WINNIPEG, Manitoba, Canada — The Gary SouthShore RailCats recorded their first series win in the month of July and their first three-game winning streak since June 8th behind 14 hits and four scoreless innings from the bullpen for the second straight contest in a 9-5 win over the reigning American Association Champion Winnipeg Goldeyes on Saturday night at Shaw Park. Every Gary starter reached base at least once on the night, eight of whom recorded at least once hit hit, and had a baserunner reach in every inning in the middle game of the series.

Gary (27-25) jumped out to a 3-0 lead courtesy of two hits and two Winnipeg errors in the first. Alex Crosby led off the game with an opposite-field single before Andy De Jesus reached on a fielding error by Goldeyes shortstop Matt McCann. Randy Santiesteban, who made his first start in six days, followed with a two-run double down the left field line, plating both Crosby and De Jesus. Colin Willis followed with a walk before D.K. Carey reached on a fielder’s choice, giving the ‘Cats runners on the corners. Wilfredo Gimenez then brought home Santiesteban with a sacrifice fly to center for the final run of the inning.

The Cats’ added another unearned run in the top of the second to go up 4-0. Cole Fabio pulled a double down the left field line with one out before Crosby hit a routine grounder to Tucker Nathans at second, however, Nathans’ throw sailed wide of first base, landing in the Gary dugout, allowing Fabio to score from second.

Winnipeg (23-32) trimmed the Gary lead to 4-2 with a pair of two-out runs in the bottom of the second. Tyler Baker got the fish on the board with an opposite-field RBI single before Jordan Ebert brought Baker around to score all the way from first with an RBI triple down into the right field corner.

The Goldeyes evened the game at 4-4 with two more runs in the third. McCann drew a leadoff walk before Reggie Abercrombie delivered an RBI double to left-center, trimming the Gary lead to one. Two batters later, Josh McAdams tied the game with an RBI infield single.

Gary regained the lead with two more runs in the top fifth. Back-to-back walks from Santiesteban and Willis gave the ‘Cats runners on first and second. Carey then reached on a sacrifice bunt, loading the bases. Gimenez put the RailCats back in front with an RBI groundout before Tillman Pugh made it 7-5 with an RBI single to left.

The Goldeyes scored their final run of the night on Josh Mazzola’s sacrifice fly in the bottom of the fifth. The RBI for Mazzola was the 446th of his American Association career, moving him into second place on the all-time career RBI list behind only teammate Abercombie. 

The RailCats added another run in the seventh on a two-out RBI single from Willis. Willis joined Carey as the second player this week and this season to reach in all five of their plate appearances after finishing the night 2-for-2 with a season-high-tying three walks, a triple, an RBI and a run.

Gary went up 9-5 with two more runs in the top of the ninth on back-to-back RBI doubles from Pugh and Fabio. Minor (9-2) recorded his league ninth win and sixth consecutive victory despite allowing a season-high five runs on nine hits, two walks and two strikeouts over five innings.

Jeff McKenzie (1) faced the minimum in two scoreless innings of relief to record his first hold of the season while Myles Smith (3) retried all six batters he faced, two via strikeouts, for his third save. Goldeyes’ Kevin McGovern (3-6) was charged with the loss after allowing six runs (two earned) on six hits, four walks and a pair of strikeouts in five innings.

Gary concludes their three-game series against Winnipeg on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. RailCats LHP Lars Liguori (1-5, 3.98) opposes Goldeyes RHP Alex Boshers (2-5, 5.65) in the final regular-season game between the two teams from Canada.

Gary returns home to U.S. Steel Yard on Friday, July 20th vs. the St. Paul Saints. Friday’s game is Kevin “Bacon” Night and includes bacon-themed concession specials, as well as another Fifth Third Bank Fireworks Friday.

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.