FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 11, 2019
CONTACT: Jared Shlensky
[email protected]
ROSEMONT, ILL. — A 2-0 lead through four innings wasn’t enough for Gary as the RailCats failed to avoid the four-game series sweep after falling to the Chicago Dogs, 5-2, on Thursday night at Impact Field in the series finale and the final game of the 10-game road trip. Following Thursday’s defeat, Gary concludes their second of two 10-game road trips with a 3-7 record, have lost five straight contests and are a season-worst-tying eight games below .500.
Gary (21-29) jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first after having the first four batters of the game reach base safely. Alex Crosby led off the game with an infield single before MJ Rookard reached safely on a throwing error by Chicago starter Austin Wright. Will Savage then drew a five-pitch walk against his former teammate before Tom Walraven brought home both Crosby and Rookard with a two-run double off the left field wall on a hop.
Chicago (28-22) took the lead for good with four runs in the fifth. Gustavo Pierre tripled into the right field corner to begin the inning before Tony Rosselli got the Dogs on the board with an opposite-field RBI single. Rosselli then stole second before advancing to third on a throwing error by RailCats catcher Wilfredo Gimenez. Harrison Smith followed Rosselli with a walk before David Olmedo-Barrera doubled home Rosselli to tie the game. Edwin Arroyo then reached first on a dropped third strike wild pitch from Trevor Lubking to load the bases. Two batters later, Victor Roache brought in Smith from third with a sacrifice fly to left before Jordan Dean added the final run of the inning with an RBI double to the left field warning track.
The Dogs went up 5-2 with the game’s final run in the sixth. Pierre doubled to left with one out before Rosselli brought him around to score with an RBI single to center.
Former RailCat (3-5) Wright recorded the win in his first career start against Gary after allowing two runs (one earned) over six innings. The southpaw yielded five hits, walked one, hit a batter and struck out seven. Carlos Zambrano retried all six batters he faced, three via strikeouts, in a hold, while Kyle Halbohn (6) secured the win with his team-high sixth hold in a scoreless top of the ninth.
Lubking (5-4) was charged with the loss after allowing five runs on seven hits and a walk over six innings. Robbie Coursel re-signed with Gary for the second time before Thursday’s series finale and faced the minimum in a scoreless bottom of the seventh. Chris Pennell made his second appearance of the series and faced the minimum in a hitless bottom of the eighth.
The RailCats return home to U.S. Steel Yard for the start of their season long 10-game homestand on Friday at 7:10 p.m. vs. Cleburne. The Railroaders send right-hander Jesus Sanchez (5-2, 3.52) to the mound in the opening game of the series while the RailCats have yet to announce their starter.
Friday’s game is Kevin “Bacon” Night, and includes bacon themed concession specials. The series opener is also Nurses Appreciation Night and features postgame fireworks, presented by Fifth Third Bank.
Ticket packages for the 2019 Gary SouthShore RailCats season are available online at RailCatsBaseball.com or by calling the RailCats ticket line at (219) 882-BALL. The RailCats box office is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
–RAILCATS–