Box Score

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 30, 2019
CONTACT: Jared Shlensky
[email protected]

GARY, IND. — A four-run top of the seventh from Kansas City was too much for Gary to overcome in the series finale on a rainy Sunday afternoon at U.S. Steel Yard as the RailCats fell to the reigning champion Kansas City T-Bones, 4-2. Despite Sunday’s loss, the ‘Cats won the first two games of the series and won five of the six matchups on the season against the reigning champions.

The RailCats brought the game-winning run to the plate in the bottom of the ninth but Danny De La Calle grounded into a double play to end the game. Gary scored in the first inning for the fifth straight game to grab a 1-0 lead. Zach Welz recorded the first hit of the game with a one-out infield single before Will Savage advanced him up to third with a single to right-center. Colin Willis followed Savage with an RBI single through the right side of the infield, bringing home Welz from third.

Kansas City (21-20) took their first lead of the series with four two-out runs in the seventh. Shawn O’Malley reached on an infield single to begin the inning before Roy Morales walked. Taylor Sparks then bounced into a double play, moving both baserunners into scoring position. Ramsey Romano got the T-Bones on the board and tied the game with an RBI infield single, scoring O’Malley from third. Danny Mars then walked before Dylan Tice put KC in front with an RBI single through the right side of the infield, bringing around Morales. Daniel Nava followed Tice and increased the KC lead to 4-1 with a two-run single to center, plating both Mars and Tice.

Gary (18-22) got their final run in the bottom of the seventh. Alex Crosby reached on an infield single to begin the frame before Savage and Willis drew back-to-back walks. Randy Santiesteban then drew the third consecutive walk, bringing home Crosby from third for the game’s final run.

Seth Hougesen signed his first professional baseball contract with Gary before the game and tossed four shutout innings in his pro debut. The southpaw yielded just two hits and a walk while striking out one in a no-decision.

Michigan City, Ind., native Robbie Coursel re-signed with the ‘Cats before the game and allowed one run on three hits and a walk while striking out two over 2.2 innings of relief. Jack Alkire (0-1) was charged with his first professional loss in his home debut. The rookie right-hander went 2.1 innings out of the ‘pen, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits and a walk while striking out a pair.

Veteran right-hander Tommy Collier (4-3) recorded his third straight win after allowing just one run over six innings. Robert Lee, Nick and Mark Magliaro each recorded holds for the T-Bones out of the bullpen former RailCat Carlos Diaz (3) secured the win with the save in the bottom of the ninth.

Gary is idle on Monday before beginning their second of two 10-game road trips on Tuesday in the Lone Star State against the Texas AirHogs at 7:05 p.m. RailCats left-hander Trevor Lubking (4-3, 3.90) makes his team-high 11th start in the series opener while the AirHogs have yet to announce their starter.

Gary returns home to U.S. Steel Yard for the start of their season-long 10-game homestand on Friday, July 12th at 7:10 p.m. vs. the Cleburne Railroaders. Friday’s game is Kevin “Bacon” Night, and includes bacon themed concession specials throughout the stadium. Friday’s game is also Nurses Appreciation Night and another Fifth Third Bank Postgame Fireworks Friday.

--RAILCATS--