WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, CANADA — A five-run second inning and a pair of two-run homers from Andy De Jesus and Randy Santiesteban led the Gary SouthShore RailCats to a 10-3 win over the Winnipeg Goldeyes in the series finale on Thursday at Shaw Park. The ‘Cats scored nine unanswered runs and improved to 4-0 in the final game of a series with Thursday’s victory.
Gary (6-6) took their first lead of the series with a two-out run in the top of the first. Marcus Mooney singled with one out for the first hit of the game before advancing to third on an errant pickoff throw from Goldeyes starter Harrison Cooney. Two batters later, Colin Willis floated an RBI single to right, scoring Mooney from third.
Winnipeg (9-4) scored all three of their runs in the bottom of the first to take a 3-1 lead. Kevin Lachance and Josh Romanski led off the inning with back-to-back singles before Reggie Abercrombie tied the game with an RBI single to center. Willy Garcia then loaded the bases with a single to left before Adrian Marin made it 2-1 with an RBI groundout. Alex Perez delivered the Goldeyes final run with an RBI single to left, however, Zach Welz prevented Winnipeg from scoring a fourth run after throwing out Garcia at the plate from left field to end the inning.
The RailCats went in front for good with five runs in the top of the second after bringing 10 to the plate. Danny De La Calle was hit to begin the inning before Evan Marzilli drew his first of two walks. After De Jesus flew out to left, Welz walked before Sean Guida drew a bases-loaded free pass, cutting the Goldeyes lead to 3-2. A wild pitch from Cooney allowed Marzilli to score from third to tie the game at 3-3. Two hitters later, Santiesteban cleared the bases with a three-run double to the left-center alley.
Gary increased their lead to five on a two-out, two-run home run from De Jesus. Tom Walraven led off the inning with a single to center before De Jesus pulled his second home run of the season down the right field line.
The ‘Cats added their final two runs on a two-run home run off the left field foul pole from Santiesteban. Mooney reached base for the third time after getting hit before Santiesteban cranked his first home run of the year and racked up the last two of his game-high five RBIs.
Lars Liguori (2-1) recorded his first career win against Winnipeg in the series finale. The southpaw allowed three runs (all in the first inning) on seven hits and a walk while striking out four. Liguori retired 10 of the final 11 hitters he faced and 15 of the last 17 he saw.
Kaleb Fontenot tossed two scoreless innings of relief while Justin Sinibaldi finished the game with a scoreless bottom of the ninth for Gary. Cooney (1-1) was charged with the loss after allowing six runs (five earned) on four hits, four walks and a hit batsman in 1.1 innings for Winnipeg.
Gary continues their six-game road trip on Thursday at 7:05 p.m. in Kansas against the reigning American Association champion Kansas City T-Bones. Christian DeLeon (1-2, 8.74) makes his first career start against the T-Bones for the RailCats and opposes T-Bones southpaw Eric Stout (1-1, 3.00) in the first meeting of the year between the two clubs.
Gary and Winnipeg conclude their three-game series on Thursday morning at 11:05 a.m. Lars Liguori (1-1, 8.74) his team leading fourth start for the RailCats and opposes Goldeyes right-hander Harrison Cooney (1-0, 2.79) in the series finale.
Gary returns home to U.S. Steel Yard on Monday, June 3rd for the first of four games vs. the Chicago Dogs. Monday’s game is the first Metro Monday and Meaty Monday of the season. Visit any Northwest Indiana Metro by T-Mobile location for complimentary tickets and enjoy our delicious hamburgers for just $2. Monday’s series opener is also Munster and Dyer Community Night, presented by Fifth Third Bank.
Gary returns home to U.S. Steel Yard on Monday, June 3rd for the first of four games vs. the Chicago Dogs. Monday’s game is the first Metro Monday and Meaty Monday of the season. Visit any Northwest Indiana Metro by T-Mobile location for complimentary tickets and enjoy our delicious hamburgers for just $2. Monday’s series opener is also Munster and Dyer Community Night, presented by Fifth Third Bank.
–RAILCATS–