FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 28, 2018
Contact: Jared Shlensky
[email protected]

GARY, Ind. — The Gary SouthShore RailCats signed right-handed pitcher Edward Cruz and placed left-handed pitcher Lars Liguori on the 7-Day Disabled List retroactive to July 23rd with left bicep tendinitis. 

Cruz last played professional baseball with the Southern Illinois Miners of the Frontier League in 2016, finishing without a record and a 3.38 ERA in one start. In 2.2 innings, Cruz yielded one run on two hits, walked three and struck out none in a no-decision.

The right-hander began his professional baseball career in 2013 after getting selected by the Miami Marlins in the 34th round of the 2013 MLB Draft out Western Oklahoma State College. In 14 relief appearances with the Gulf Coast League Marlins (Rookie Ball), Cruz went 1-3 with a 7.59 ERA. In 21.1 innings, the Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, native allowed 18 earned runs on 28 hits and 18 walks and struck out 21 over 21.1 innings pitched.

Liguori was 1-6 with a 3.70 ERA in 13 games (nine starts) in his second season with Gary before being placed on the DL after previously pitching for the RailCats in 2016. Last season, Liguori was named a Frontier League All-Star with the RailCats sister club, the Schaumburg Boomers. The southpaw went 9-4 with a 3.44 ERA over 18 games (17 starts) in his second season with the Boomers and set career highs in wins, starts, strikeouts (82), innings pitched (99.1) and complete games (three).

In 2016 with Gary, Liguori went 1-1 with a 2.60 ERA in 19 relief appearances. Before pitching with the RailCats in 2016, Liguori went 2-1 with a 6.48 ERA in four starts with the Roswell Invaders of the Pecos League and finished 0-3 with a 6.19 ERA in three starts in his first season with Schaumburg.

The southpaw began his professional baseball career in 2014 with the Brownsville Charros of the United Baseball League, going 0-2 with two complete games, a save and a 2.98 ERA in eight games (five starts) before signing with the Sioux City Explorers later in the season. In eight starts with Sioux City in his first season in the American Association, Liguori went 2-4 with a 6.36 ERA in nine games (eight starts). The following season, Liguori signed with Roswell, posting a 4-1 record with two complete games, two saves and a 3.99 ERA over seven games (five starts).

Gary continues their six-day, seven-game road trip in Texas against the Cleburne Railroaders on Sunday at 6:05 p.m. RailCats’ RHP Gabe Perez (3-1, 3.89) makes his sixth consecutive start against Railroaders RHP Josh Hodges (2-3, 4.79).

Gary returns home to U.S. Steel Yard on Friday, August 3rd for a six-game homestand. Friday’s game vs. the Wichita Wingnuts is Scout Night, Faith and Family Night and a 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.