KANSAS CITY, KAN. — Trailing 6-2 entering the sixth inning, the RailCats scored five runs in the sixth inning followed by four more runs in the ninth to take down the slumping Kansas City T-Bones, 11-6, in the series finale on Sunday afternoon at T-Bones stadium. Sunday’s victory gave Gary their first sweep of the season, their fourth straight victory and a 4-2 record during their six-game road trip.
Kansas City (7-8) took their first lead of the series with a run in the first. Ryan Brett doubled down the left field line to begin the inning before Carlos Franco brought him home with a two-out RBI single to center.
Gary (9-6) quickly countered with two runs in the top of the second to go up by a run. Colin Willis increased his season-high-tying hitting streak to eight games with a leadoff single to right. Raymond Jones and Danny De La Calle were then hit by consecutive pitches, loading the bases for Evan Marzilli. Marzilli grounded into a double play, however, Andy De Jesus delivered a two-out, two-run single to right to put the ‘Cats on top.
The T-Bones regained the lead with two runs in the bottom of the second. Daniel Nava drew a leadoff walk to begin the frame before Roy Morales hit a two-run home run over the left field fall and on to the street.
Kansas City added two more runs in the third to go up 5-2. Franco reached on a one-out fielding error by Randy Santiesteban at first before Casey Gillaspie just kept a two-run home run inside the right field foul pole.
The T-Bones added their final run in the fifth to go up by four. Shawn O’Malley singled to center before Franco singled to right-center, advancing O’Malley to third. Gillaspie followed Franco with a sacrifice fly to right, brinigng home O’Malley from third and giving Gillaspie the last of his three RBIs.
The RailCats took the lead for good after scoring five runs in the sixth. Marcus Mooney extended his on-base streak to eight games with a leadoff walk before Santiesteban reached on an infield single, giving Gary runners on first and second. Willis then made it 6-3 with an RBI double to right-center, plating Mooney from second. Jones made it 6-5 with an opposite-field two-run double for his first American Association hit, scoring both Santiesteban and Willis. Marzilli and De Jesus then drew consecutive walks to load the bases. With Tom Walraven at the plate and the bases loaded, T-Bones reliever Nick Lee lost his footing on the mound and balked as he was about to throw a pitch, allowing Jones to score the game-tying run from third. Lee then sailed a wild pitch to back stop, allowing Marzilli to slide home safely for the final run of the inning.
Gary took an 11-6 lead with the final four runs of the game in the ninth. Walraven reached on a bunt single up the third base line to start the inning before Sean Guida advanced him up to second base with a sacrifice bunt. Mooney then doubled the RailCats lead with an RBI triple into the right field corner. Santiesteban then reached on his second of two infield singles before Gillaspie dropped a fly ball in right field off the bat of Willis, allowing Mooney to score from third. With runners on second and third, De La Calle pulled a two-out, two-run single through the left side of the infield for the final runs of the afternoon.
David Griffin (1-0) recorded his first professional win in his second pro appearance after allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits while striking out one over three innings out of the bullpen. Ryan Thurston (2), Felix Carvallo (1) and Sandy Lugo (3) each recorded holds with a scoreless inning of relief apiece. Thurston struck out two of three batters he faced in his second hold in as many days while Lugo extended his season-high consecutive scoreless innings streak to nine with a scoreless bottom of the eighth in his team-leading third hold.
Lee (0-1) was tagged with the loss out of the bullpen for KC. The left-hander allowed one run on three hits, a balk and a wild pitch over 0.2 innings in his second appearance of the series.
Gary returns home to U.S. Steel Yard on Monday, June 3rd for the first of four games vs. the Chicago Dogs. Southpaw Lars Liguori (2-1, 7.27) makes his team-high fifth start in the opening game of the series against Dogs left-hander D.J. Snelten (2-0, 4.96). Monday’s probable pitchers is also the second time the two oppose one another as both started against each other in the season opener on May 17.
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–