FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 7, 2019
CONTACT: Jared Shlensky
[email protected]
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Trailing 6-0 after five innings, Gary scored three runs in the next two innings but failed to complete the comeback against Sioux Falls and fell to the Canaries, 6-3, in the opening game of the series on a warm Friday night at Sioux Falls Stadium. The RailCats are now 2-5 in the series opener following Friday’s loss and have dropped three of their last four games.
Sioux Falls (11-9) put up five runs in the fourth to take a 5-0 lead. Back-to-back RBI infield singles from Jordan Ebert and Andrew Ely gave the Canaries their first two runs of the night before Brett Vertigan cleared the bases with a three-run double down into the left corner. Sioux Falls had the first five batters of the frame reach base safely despite only hitting two balls out of the infield.
The Canaries added their final run in the fifth to go up by six. Back-to-back singles from Clint Coulter and Alay Lago for the second consecutive inning gave Sioux Falls runners on the corners with no outs. Trae Santos, who was activated from the Disabled List before the game, then bounced into a double play, allowing Coulter to score from third.
Gary (10-9) got on the board with two runs in the sixth. Tom Walraven extended his season-high hitting streak to 12 games with a bunt single up the third base line before Evan Marzilli drew a walk. Marcus Mooney then singled to load the bases before Randy Santiesteban brought home Walraven from third with a sacrifice fly to center. Colin Willis followed Santiesteban with a single to center, allowing Marzilli to score from second after Mooney stayed in a rundown long enough between second and third long before getting tagged out.
Andy De Jesus drove in the final run of the evening with a solo home run to left-center. The home run was his team-high third of the year and his second from the right side of the plate.
Lars Liguori (2-2) was charged with the loss. The southpaw allowed six runs (five in the fourth inning) on nine hits and two walks while striking out three. Jumpei Akanuma tossed a season-high three scoreless innings of relief and hasn’t allowed a run in five straight innings for Gary.
Alex Boshers (3-1) recorded his second straight win and second consecutive quality start after allowing two runs on six hits and two walks over six innings. The right-hander struck out three and retired nine consecutive batters in a row at one point. Luis Pollorena (2) secured the win with the three-inning save. The southpaw allowed one run on two hits and two walks while striking out three batters.
Gary and Sioux Falls resume their three-game weekend series on Saturday at 6:05 p.m. in South Dakota. RailCats’ right-hander Robbie Coursel (2-1, 2.78) makes his third start against Canaries’ right-hander Taylor Hill (2-1, 2.78) in the middle game of the series.
Gary returns home to U.S. Steel Yard on Tuesday for the start of a six-game homestand. Tuesday’s game vs. the Winnipeg Goldeyes is at 7:10 p.m. and is Report Card Night. Kids receive a free ticket to Tuesday’s contest with “A” grades. Tuesday’s game is also another Community HealthNet Centers Tuesday and Taco Tuesday. Visit any Northwest Indiana CHN for complimentary tickets to Tuesday’s game and enjoy our beef tacos and margaritas for $2.00 and $5.00, respectively.
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–