(Gary, IN) A quick turnaround for the RailCats and the Sioux City Explorers on a Wednesday day game from the Steel Yard. The Sioux City club won the first game of the series 3-1 thanks to Peniel Otano going seven scoreless. On Wednesday, the RailCats attempted to awaken the bats and even out the series.
Nathan Mertens started on the hill for the Explorers in the bottom of the first, it was a rough start for the rookie. He gave up an opening hit to Korry Howell, who moved his way into third, stealing a base. Marc Flores hit a long hopper to Zac Vooletich, and his throw was not in time as Howell slid in before the tag to make it 1-0. Nick Podkul doubled into left center to put himself and Flores in scoring position. An Elvis Peralta RBI groundout to second and an automatic double from Joe Suozzi led to two more runs to make it 3-0.
Deyni Olivero, the Carbliss pitcher of the week, started the top of the second by allowing a solo home run to Alberto Osuna to right field. The Xs in the top of the third would not get a hit out of the infield, and a couple of errors allowed two more runs to score and make it 3-3.
In the bottom of the third, Kevin Watson Jr blasted a home run for his tenth of the season to give Gary the lead back. Olivero would bow out after the sixth inning, and Zach Plesac spun two scoreless innings.
In the bottom of the eighth, the RailCats loaded the bases with nobody out and Suozzi added his second RBI on a sacrifice fly to center to score Watson and make it 5-3. Closer Jacob Coats fought in the ninth and with the bases loaded, two outs and a full count pitch, Vooletich hit a soft grounder to second and Podkul made the play and the RailCats were victorious 5-3.
The RailCats improve their record to 37-51 and the Explorers now stand at 42-46. The final game of the series will back to the normal time of 6:45 with Frank Plesac pitching against Hunter Poe. Tickets are still available at Tixr.Com/RailCats or call 219-882-2255.
Friday is Dino Night presented by Franklin Pest Solutions, Saturday will have a giveaway presented by Wintrust and on September 1st their team set giveaway will be presented by Underground Casebreaks.