Box Score

Game Highlights

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 3, 2018
Contact: Jared Shlensky
[email protected]

GARY, Ind. — 10 unanswered runs from Wichita in the final six innings and Chase Simpson’s cycle was too much for Gary to handle as the RailCats fell to the Wingnuts, 11-1, with 3,590 in attendance on Star Wars Night at U.S. Steel Yard. The ‘Cats never led and allowed a hit in every to the Wingnuts except for one.

Wichita (44-28) took their first lead of the series with a run in the first. Logan Watkins tripled off the right-center field wall on a hop on the second pitch of the game before Zach Nehrir brought him in to score with a sacrifice fly to right-center.

Gary (41-29) quickly countered with a run in the second to tie the game. Colin Willis recorded the RailCats first hit of the night and extended his career-high on-base to streak to 22 games with an infield single. Back-to-back groundouts from Ronnie Mitchell and Andy Paz moved Willis up to third before Reggie Wilson pulled an RBI single through the right side of the infield, scoring Willis from third.

The Wingnuts took the lead for good on Angel Reyes’ two-run home run off the net beyond the left-center field wall in the fourth. Tony Thomas singled to center to start the inning before Reyes blasted his 13th homer of the year and third with Wichita.

Wichita added four more runs in the fifth to take a 7-1 lead. Nehrir singled to right with one out before Abel Nieves drew a walk, giving the Wingnuts runners on first and second. Thomas followed with an RBI single down the left field line, plating Nehrir from second.  Two batters later, Simpson blasted a two-out, three-run home run off the RailCats video board in left-center for the final runs of the frame.

The Wingnuts went up by seven with an unearned run in the sixth. Nick Rotola reached on a two-base throwing error by Andy De Jesus at short to begin the inning before moving up to third on Leo Vargas’ groundout to second. Watkins followed with a soft RBI single over the head of the Cole Fabio at second base, allowing Rotola to score the final run of the night.

Wichita took their biggest lead of the series at ten with three more runs in the ninth. Thomas made it 9-1 with the second homer of the evening off the video board in left-center. Reyes then singled to right before Simpson completed the cycle with an RBI triple into the right field corner. Simpson is the first player in the American Association to hit for the cycle this season and the first Wingnut to do so since 2016. Logan Trowbridge delivered the final run off the game with an RBI groundout to the left side of the infield, scoring Simpson from third.

Alex Gunn (7-4) was charged with his first loss of the second half after allowing a career-high eight runs (seven earned) on 12 hits, a walk and three strikeouts over seven innings. Jordan Cooper (8-5) recorded his fourth win in his last five starts after yielding one run on seven hits, two walks and five strikeouts in six innings.

Gary concludes their three-game series vs. Wichita on Sunday at 2:10 p.m. RailCats RHP Keaton Steele (3-2, 2.37) makes his fourth start in the series finale against Wingnuts RHP Charlie Gillies (6-3, 3.47).

Sunday’s contest is Bark in the Park, presented by Arbor View Animal Hospital, Bike an Inning, presented by Partners for Clean Air, and another Sunday Funday and Times Family Sunday. Sunday’s game also features a pre-game catch on the field, presented by Dr. Geissler’s Hearing Center, a free Color Me Magnet, and Kids and Dogs Run the Bases. Bring your dog to the park for our second of two Bark in the Park games at the Steel Yard and stop by the Partners for Clean Air table to sign up for a chance to win a free bicycle every inning. The first 250 kids through the gates receive a free Color Me Magnet of Rusty the RailCat and bring your ball and glove to the game as fans will get to play catch on the outfield grass before first pitch. Sunday Funday includes $5 cocktails and show your NWI.com social media or hard copy coupon at the box office and you receive tickets for two adults and four kids for just $10. Remember to stick around after the game as and kids and dogs get to run the bases after the final out.

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.