GARY SOUTHSHORE RAILCATS MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 4, 2023
Contact: Zach Letson
Phone: 219-882-2255
Email: [email protected]

Sheaks Shines, but RailCats Drop Nail-Biter to Explorers

Gary, IN – Despite receiving their longest start of the season, the Gary SouthShore RailCats (31-41) fell 3-2 to the Sioux City Explorers (38-35) Friday night at The Steel Yard.

John Sheaks got the ball for the ‘Cats and shined.  The right-hander tossed eight stellar innings, allowing just three runs.  Sheaks retired the last seven batters he faced.

The Explorers scored their lone three runs on run-scoring outs in the fourth and fifth.

Just like the day before, the ‘Cats offense came to life in the sixth.  Trailing 3-0, Gio Díaz began the rally with a single into center field.  Jackson Valera then ripped a double into the right field corner to get the RailCats on the board.  The next batter, Jesus Marriaga, promptly lined a single into left center, scoring Valera to bring Gary SouthShore within one, 3-2.

The score remained the same headed the ninth as Julio Vivas entered from the bullpen, the lone pitcher to relieve Sheaks.  He proceeded to fire a 1-2-3 frame to maintain the one-run deficit.

However, the Explorers countered with a three-up, three-down inning of their own in the bottom of the ninth, locking down the series-opening win.

The RailCats aim to even the series with the Explorers at 4:00 p.m. tomorrow.  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.

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