For Immediate Release

August 2, 2021

Mercado’s Four RBI Rockets RailCats Past Canaries

GARY, Ind. – The Gary SouthShore RailCats (28-41) rolled over the Sioux Falls Canaries (25-43) cultivated by second baseman José Mercado’s two hits and four RBI to cap a 12-6 victory in the series opener in the Steel Yard in Gary, Indiana.

The RailCats shot out to a 5-0 lead in the bottom of the second sparked by shortstop Tom Walraven’s solo home run to open the inning. Walraven finished the day hitting 1-for-4 with that home run, also knocking in a run and scoring two of his own.

However, Sioux Falls answered in a big way in the top half of the third tying the game 5-5, in which RailCats starter Cole Cook injured himself. In an attempt to field a bunt off the mound, Cook slipped and fell trying to make the throw to third base, causing an errant throw and the first of five runs to cross the plate.

After the five run third by the Birds, it was all Gary SouthShore from that point onward.

The RailCats scored two runs in both the third and fifth innings, highlighted by two of José Mercado’s four RBI. Mercado was plunked with bases loaded in the third to bring in one run, and ripped a single up the middle in the fifth to knock in another. Mercado would finish 2-for-3 with his four RBI and an additional walk.

In the eighth inning, the RailCats’ three runs dotted the exclamation point on tonight’s victory, sparked by outfielder MJ Rookard’s double to right field. Rookard’s double drove in the first run of the inning, giving some much needed insurance runs.

Starting pitcher Cole Cook threw two innings before exiting due to injury, in which he allowed three earned runs and struck out a batter.

First reliever Yoel De Leon earned the victory for his four innings of work. De Leon also let up just one earned run while striking out five and walking three.

Sioux Falls starter Charlie Hasty threw 2.1 innings and let up seven earned runs, earning himself the loss for tonight’s contest.

After a victory in the opener, the Gary SouthShore RailCats and Sioux Falls Canaries will do it all over again, with the second game of four scheduled for Tuesday, August 3 at 7:10 p.m. at the Steel Yard in Gary, Indiana.

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