FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 25, 2019
CONTACT: Jared Shlensky
[email protected]
FRANKLIN, WIS. — Kurt Heyer’s complete game performance was too much for Gary to handle on Tuesday night in the second game in the history of Routine Field as the Milkmen topped the RailCats, 8-2. Tuesday’s loss drops the RailCats record to 2-6 during their season-long 10-game road trip and evens the inaugural series between the two clubs.
Milwaukee (16-21) exceeded their run total from last night in the first inning alone with three runs. Cesar Valera recorded the first hit of the game with a single to left before former RailCat Garrett Copeland pulled a double down the left field line, giving the Milkmen runners on second and third. Manuel Moscan followed Copeland with a sacrifice fly to the center field warning track, bringing home Valera from third and moving Copeland up to third. Jose Rosario then made it 2-0 with an RBI double to right-center before Glenn McClain drew a walk. Adam Walker delivered the final run of the inning with an RBI single to left, scoring Rosario from third.
Gary (14-21) got on the board in the third via a solo home run from Andy De Jesus on the first pitch of the inning. The home run was De Jesus’s team-leading fourth of the year and the first ever from the opposing team at Routine Field.
The RailCats scored their final run in the top of the seventh, cutting the Milkmen lead to 3-2. Danny De La Calle reached on an infield single with one out before stealing his first of two bases on the night. Ray Jones then grounded out to second, advancing De La Calle up to third. De Jesus then hit a sharp grounder to Rosario at third base, however, Rosario couldn’t make the play and De La Calle was able to score on the fielding error.
Milwaukee regained their three-run lead on Copeland’s two-run home run to left in the bottom of the seventh. Sam Dexter drew a five-pitch walk to begin the inning before Copeland hit his second homer of the year.
The Milkmen added the game’s final three runs in the eighth to up by six. McClain and Walker recorded back-to-back singles to start the frame. De La Calle then back-picked McClain off second base for the first out of the inning before Nolan Earley drew a walk. Dan Ward and Dexter followed with consecutive back-to-back RBI hits before Copeland delivered the final run of the night with a sacrifice fly to center.
Lars Liguori (3-4) recorded the RailCats first complete game of the year but was charged with the loss. The southpaw allowed eight runs on a season-high 13 hits, walked three, hit two batters and struck out five hitters over eight innings. Heyer (3-4) yielded just two runs (one earned) on five hits, walked one and struck out seven in a season-high nine innings in the win.
Gary continues their season-long 10-game road trip against Milwaukee in the inaugural series at Routine Field on Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m. The RailCats have yet to announce their starter while the Milkmen send veteran right-hander Angel Ventura (2-4, 2.70) to the mound in game three of the series.
Gary returns home to U.S. Steel Yard on Friday, June 28th for a three-game homestand vs. the reigning American Association Champion Kansas City T-Bones. Friday’s game is AmeriCAN Beer Fest, presented by Berey Bros., Indiana 105 Country Night, and another Fifth Third Bank Fireworks Friday.
Ticket packages for the 2019 Gary SouthShore RailCats season are available online at railcatsbaseball.com and can also be purchased by calling the RailCats ticket line at (219) 882-BALL. The RailCats box office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
–RAILCATS–