(Gary, IN) The final game played between the RailCats and the Sioux City Explorers was played on a gorgeous Thursday evening with two young right-handers pitching. The series was split through two and it would be Frank Plesac facing Hunter Poe to decide who walked away with an important win during the heart of the playoff race.
The Explorers got their first run in the first inning with Braulio Vasquez homering into the bullpen in right field for his 15th home run of the season. Hunter Poe and Frank Plesac would trade zeros until the bottom of the fifth inning.
In that inning the RailCats had two runners in scoring position and Justin O’Conner flew out to right field to score Elvis Peralta, but a bad throw from D’Shawn Knowles got past the catcher and Colin Summerhill would give the ‘Cats the lead on a close play at home.
The Explorers would tie the game in the top of the sixth when Knowles singled into center and after a pitching change, Jackson Van De Brake hit a two-run shot to left. The top of the seventh would see Austin Davis steal his 72nd base to set a new league record for most in a single season, he would be driven in on a sac fly to right and Henry George made it 6-2 on a wild pitch.
The RailCats would fight back into the game with two runs, Marc Flores had an RBI single and Peralta a double off the left field wall to score Flores. The rally would not be enough as Kelvin Caceres would finish the game with a quick bottom of the ninth to give the X’s the series win. Final was 6-4.
The RailCats fall to 37-52 and with a Cleburne win they are now 5.5 games back with 11 games to go. They will begin a new series with the Sioux Falls Canaries Friday with the first pitch scheduled for 6:45, the matchup will feature Dominic Cancellieri facing RHP Chase Gearing. Friday is Dino Night presented by Franklin Pest Solutions, Saturday is Rusty’s Birthday with a giveaway presented by Wintrust and Sunday is Breast Cancer Awareness day with the RailCats wearing jerseys that will be auctioned off and all proceeds goes to Breast Cancer research.
Tickets are available on TIXR.com/RailCats or call the park at 219-882-2255.