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RailCats late comeback not enough in postseason opener

September 6, 2017 - American Association (AA) - Gary SouthShore Railcats News Release


RailCats late comeback not enough in postseason opener

The RailCats look to even series on Thursday night at 7:10 from U.S. Steel Yard.

GARY, Ind. - Gary scored two runs in the final two innings on Wednesday in game one of the American Association Semifinals against Wichita, however, the RailCats fell short to the Wingnuts, 4-2, on a chilly evening. Gary didn't have a baserunner reach third through the first seven innings but managed to score a run against both of Wichita's relievers.

Gary's (0-1) Ayrton Costa retired nine of the first 10 hitters he faced before allowing a pair of runs in the top of the fourth. Martin Medina led off the inning with a single to center before TJ Mittelstaedt followed with a one-out single to right, giving Wichita (1-0) runners on first and second. Matt Chavez, who led the American Association with 84 RBIs in the regular season, gave the Wingnuts their first lead of the series with an RBI single to right. Richard Prigatano made it 2-0 with an RBI fielder's choice, scoring Mittelstaedt from third.

Jake Matthys relieved Costa in the top of the fourth and did not allow a run until giving up two in the top of the seventh. Brennan Salgado led off the inning with a single before advancing to second on Leo Vargas' third hit of the game. After Salgado advanced on Christian Stringer fielder's choice, Medina hit an RBI single to right field that allowed Vargas to score from second, and eventually Stringer from first on an error from Colin Willis, to extend the lead to 4-0.

In the bottom of the eighth, the RailCats scored their first run of the postseason. Wilfredo Giminez led off the inning with a single. He advanced to second, and later to third, on a pair of wild pitches. The RailCat catcher scored on an RBI groundout from Andy DeJesus to make the score 4-1.

In the bottom of the ninth, Gary was not done. Alex Crosby began the inning with an 11-pitch watch before Willis followed suit with a walk of his own. After Cameron Newell struck out looking, Frank Martinez singled down the left field line to advance Willis to third and allowed Crosby to score to cut the deficit to 4-2. Kris Goodman and Gimenez followed with strikeouts to end the threat and the game.

The

Costa (0-1) finished his outing with 4.2 innings pitched, allowing two earned runs, on five hits, while walking one and striking out three. Wingnuts starter Danny Gutierrez (1-0) was phenomenal in his postseason debut for Wichita as he allowed no runs on two hits, walking none, and striking out seven. Ryan Kussmaul (1) struck out the side despite allowing a run to pick up the save.

The Gary SouthShore RailCats continue their best of five American Association Semifinals Series against the Wichita Wingnuts on Thursday at 7:10 p.m. Southpaw Jeff McKenzie (4-4, 3.72) gets the ball for Gary in game two while the Wingnuts counter with right-hander Alex Boshers (11-4, 3.72).

Thursday's game is a Miller Lite Thirsty Thursday and features $2.00 peanuts and a Playoff Special Family 4-pack! Don't miss out on $2.00 domestic drafts as you soak in some sun and baseball and don't forget to stop by the concession stand to get $2.00 peanuts! Bring the whole family to the game with a special Playoff Family 4-Pack that includes four terrace seats, four hot dogs and four sodas for only $25.00! Tickets start at only $6.00 and parking is FREE!

Postseason tickets are available to purchase now online at railcatsbaseball.com. Box seat tickets cost $11, reserved seats cost $10 and terrace seats are just $6 for the first two games of the American Association Semifinals. Jared Shlensky and Austin Anderson bring you all 100 RailCats games this season on WEFM (95.9 FM) and online at railcatsbaseball.com. Fans can purchase tickets for RailCats home games by calling (219) 882-BALL or online at railcatsbaseball.com. The RailCats box office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.


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