RailCats Shutout RedHawks to Advance to American Association Championship
September 7, 2013 - American Association (AA) - Gary SouthShore Railcats News Release
Gary, IN - For the fourth straight game, the RailCats got a terrific starting pitching performance. In game four, it was Morgan Coombs who shutout Fargo-Moorhead over seven innings to take the series over the Redhawks 3-1.
With their 3-0 victory in game four, the RailCats will play the Wichita Wingnuts for the American Association Championship beginning on Tuesday night at U. S. Steel Yard.
The RailCats took an early lead in the home half of the first and never looked back in game four. Adam Klein singled to start the inning off Redhawks starter Jake Laber, then Mike Massaro tripled to left center to take a 1-0 after two batters.
After Cristian Guerrero grounded out to third, Reid Fronk worked ahead in the count against Laber and the Redhawks issued an intentional walk to put runners at the corners. With two outs in the inning, Brian Kolb hit a groundball to second baseman CJ Retherford who committed an error to let Massaro score for a 2-0 lead.
Jake Laber was removed with runners on first and second in the fifth inning. Joe Harris entered and before he threw a pitch caught Adam Klein stealing third for the second out of the inning. Reid Fronk then singled home Cristian Guerrero to take a 3-0 lead for the "ÂCats.
Laber took the loss and went four and â..." innings. He allowed three runs, two earned, on five hits and one walk.
The story of the game was Morgan Coombs who was only threatened by Fargo's offense one time, in the top of the fifth. With two outs, Todd Jennings and Zach Penprase each singled to put runners on the corners. Coombs beared down and got Ronnie Bourquin to fly out to left.
Overall, Coombs allowed seven baserunners in his playoff debut and was removed after allowing a leadoff single to Penprase in the eighth. Estevan Uriegas entered and struck out Bourquin and got Nick Jackson to ground into a double play to end the inning.
Coombs struck out eight and threw 111 pitches to pick up the victory.
Ian Durham struck out the side in the ninth to give the RailCats their first appearance in the American Association Championship series since joining the league prior to 2011.
The RailCats begin their championship series with Wichita on Tuesday night at U. S. Steel Yard with a 7:10 first pitch. U. S. Steel Yard will host the first two games of the series, Wichita will host the final three games Friday, Saturday (if necessary) and Sunday (if necessary).
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American Association Stories from September 7, 2013
- RailCats Shutout RedHawks to Advance to American Association Championship - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- American Association Game Recap - AA
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