GARY SOUTHSHORE RAILCATS MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 12, 2023
Contact: Zach Letson
Phone: 219-882-2255
Email: [email protected]

Cuello’s Gem Backs RailCats Victory

Gary, IN – The Gary SouthShore RailCats (34-45) received another brilliant start from Edward Cuello and sprinkled in 11 hits in a 3-1 win to even their series against the Kane County Cougars (39-41) on Saturday at The Steel Yard.

The right-hander was nearly unhittable against the Cougars for the second time this season.  On the heels of a seven-inning, complete game, one-run effort at Northwestern Medicine Field nearly a month ago, the right-hander one-upped himself, firing eight innings of one-run ball.

Cuello allowed just three hits and picked up seven strikeouts in a winning effort, matching his previous American Association high.  He fanned seven batters exactly one year ago to the day, powering the ‘Cats to a 24-7 win over the Milwaukee Milkmen on August 12, 2022.

The starter’s offense provided the run support right away.  Michael Woodworth, Gio Díaz, and Jackson Valera notched consecutive base hits to kick off the bottom of the first.  Valera’s knock, an infield single, plated Woodworth to give the RailCats an immediate 1-0 lead.

Kane County leveled the score on an RBI groundout in the top of the fourth, but it only took one Gary SouthShore batter to respond in their next trip to the plate.  Marcos Gonzalez began the bottom of the fourth inning by crushing a home run over the left field wall, re-supplying the ‘Cats their advantage at 2-1.

Gary SouthShore kept the momentum going in the bottom of the fifth.  With two outs in the inning, Díaz sparked a rally by singling, the second of his four hits.

Valera quickly followed up with a single of his own, advancing Díaz into scoring position.  Batting right behind him in the order, the first baseman had an excellent game himself, finishing 3-for-4.

That placed Jesus Marriaga in prime position to drive in a run, and the All-Star did just that.  The center fielder connected on the third straight Gary SouthShore single, plating Díaz for his team-best 58th RBI of the 2023 season, propelling the RailCats ahead 3-1.

From that point forward, Gary SouthShore’s arms stepped up to finish the job.  After Cuello completed his eight-inning outing, All-Star closer DJ Wilkinson slammed the door, picking up his 11th save to secure the victory.

The RailCats return to The Steel Yard at 2:00 p.m. tomorrow for their series-deciding game against the Cougars.  All the action will be streamed on aabaseball.tv and broadcast over the radio on 95.9 WEFM and the Gary SouthShore RailCats Broadcast Network via the Mixlr app.