'Cats Finish 6-Day, 7-Game Texas Road Trip 6-1 with 2-1 Loss to AirHogs
August 1, 2018 - American Association (AA)
Gary SouthShore Railcats News Release
GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - The Gary SoutShore RailCats offense managed just two hits and were unable to finish their six-day, seven-game road trip a perfect 7-0 after falling to the Texas AirHogs, 2-1, on Wednesday night at AirHogs Stadium in the final game of the year between the two teams. Wednesday's loss snapped Gary's season-high-tying eight game winning streak, however, the 'Cats did split the two-game series after shutting out Texas, 4-0, on Tuesday.
Jeff McKenzie (4-7) suffered the tough-luck loss in his second complete game performance of the year. The southpaw went eight innings, allowing two runs on 12 hits, walked none and struck out three.
Texas (19-40) scored their first run of the night and took their first lead of the series on Luo Jinjun's sacrifice fly to center in the second. The AirHogs opened the frame with back-to-back singles from Stewart Ijames and Du Xiaolei, giving Texas runners on first and second. Chen Junpeng then advanced Ijames to third on a fielder's choice before Jinjun brought home Ijames from third.
Gary (40-28) tied the game with their only run after drawing four walks in the fourth. Ronnie Mitchell drew the first walk of the inning with a five-pitch one-out walk before Tillman Pugh followed with a four-pitch walk. Two batters later, Reggie Wilson drew a five-pitch walk before Garrett Copeland drew a bases-loaded walk, scoring Mitchell.
The AirHogs regained the lead for the good on Ijames' RBI double down into the right field corner in the eighth. Corelle Prime led off the inning with a single to center before Ijames recorded the final hit of the night with his second of two hits.
Taylor Wright (3-2) recorded the win after striking out a pair in a perfect top of the eighth while former MLB pitcher Carlos Contreras (9) secured the win with a perfect bottom of the ninth in the save. Miguel Rosario recorded a no-decision after yielding one run on one hit, six walks and three strikeouts in six innings.
Gary returns home to U.S. Steel Yard on Friday, August 3rd for a six-game homestand. Friday's game vs. the Wichita Wingnuts is Scout Night, Faith and Family Night and a Fifth Third Bank Fireworks Friday. Neither team has announced their starters in the series opener.
Jared Shlensky and Brennan Mense bring you all 100 RailCats game this season on WEFM (95.9 FM) and online at railcatsbaseball.com. Ticket packages for the 2018 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.
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