The Gary SouthShore RailCats used a late seventh-inning rally to defeat the Kansas City T-Bones by a score of 5-2. With the win, the RailCats retake the season series lead against Kansas City four games to three.
Gary (7-7) took their first lead of the series with a pair of sacrifice flies from Frank Martinez and Jaime Del Valle in the fourth. Andy De Jesus pulled a single through the right side to start the frame before stealing second. An infield single from Colin Willis advanced De Jesus to third before Martinez brought home De Jesus for the first run of the evening with a sacrifice fly to left. Two batters later, Del Valle scored Willis with a sacrifice fly to center, doubling the RailCats lead to 2-0.
Kansas City (6-7) tied the game in the seventh with a Christian Correa two-run double, scoring both Joe Jackson and Daniel Rockett with one out in the inning. Jackson reached base on a one out single, then Rockett walked. They both advanced to second and third via a wild pitch before scoring on Correa’s two-bagger to even the game at 2.
The RailCats roared right back when Ryan Fitzgerald tripled into the right field corner with no outs plating Anthony Cheky, who reached on a walk, to make the score 3-2 in favor of Gary. Chase Harris then drew a walk, followed by Kris Goodman singling, scoring Fitzgerald and advancing Harris to second to retake a two-run lead. After a Willis walk loaded the bases with one out in the seventh, Martinez recorded his second sacrifice fly of the evening to left field, scoring Harris, and giving Gary a 5-2 lead.
Alex Gunn finished the game with a no-decision for the RailCats. He finished the game with 6.1 innings pitched, with two earned runs, three hits, two walks, and three strikeouts. Drasen Johnson picked up the win for the RailCats in 1.2 innings pitched. He was able to keep the score tied at two with Corea at second base and one out in the top half of the seventh. Jorge DeLeon (2) was able to throw a scoreless ninth for his second save on the season.
Kansas City’s starter, Chris Perry, recorded a no-decision as well. His line included two earned runs on four hits, three walks, while striking out five. Myles Smith (0-2) surrendered the loss for the Kansas City T-Bones. He gave up three runs in a third of an inning, while surrendering two hits, and walking three.
Gary took their first lead of the series with a pair of sacrifice flies from Frank Martinez and Jaime Del Valle in the fourth. Andy De Jesus pulled a single through the right side to start the frame before stealing second. An infield single from Colin Willis advanced De Jesus to third before Martinez brought home De Jesus for the first run of the evening with a sacrifice fly to left. Two batters later, Del Valle scored Willis with a sacrifice fly to center, doubling the RailCats lead to 2-0.
Gary heads west to Iowa on Friday to take on the Sioux City Explorers in a three-game series. Tyler Harris (0-1, 3.60) makes his third start of the year for the RailCats in the series opener tomorrow while Sioux City sends southpaw Hobbs Johnson (2-0, 0.75) to the hill. First pitch from Lewis & Clark Park on Friday is at 7:05 p.m.
The RailCats return home on Monday, June 5 for a seven-game homestand against the Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks and the Sioux City Explorers. Monday’s game vs. Fargo-Moorhead starts at 7:10 p.m. and is a MetroPCS Monday. Visit your nearest NW Indiana MetroPCS for a reserved seat ticket voucher on every MetroPCS Monday.
Jared Shlensky and Austin Anderson bring you all 100 RailCats games this season on WEFM (95.9 FM) and online at railcatsbaseball.com. Fans can purchase tickets for RailCats home games by calling (219) 882-BALL or online at railcatsbaseball.com. The RailCats box office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.