Clutch Two out Hitting Gives RailCats 5-3 Win
Published on June 22, 2016 under American Association (AA)
Gary SouthShore Railcats News Release
GRAND PRAIRIE, TX- Frank Martinez and Jeremy Hamilton fired extra base hits into the Texas night to grab the late lead for the Gary SouthShore RailCats over the Texas AirHogs. The pair of veterans delivered with two outs in the top of the 9thinning to prevent a third straight extra-inning game and solidify a 5-3 RailCats win.
The RailCats (17-15) extend their winning streak to four games, the longest of the season, and clinched a series win over the AirHogs (13-19). The win improves Gary SouthShore to 6-2 in their road trip going into the ninth and final contest.
Alex Gunn started for the RailCats but did not factor in the decision. He pitched five innings and allowed three runs (two earned). The southpaw struck out four and walked two.
Manager Greg Tagert used four bullpen arms to pitch the final innings. Lars Liguori made his RailCat debut and John Kovalik threw an inning. Santiago Rodriguez came on to get the win and Taylor Black earned the save, his fifth of the year.
Griffin Russell started for the AirHogs and pitched six innings. He allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits. The lefty fanned nine batters and walked three. The AirHogs struck out 12 RailCats on the evening. David Russo earned the loss after allowing the final two runs in the 9th inning.
Brennan Metzger got the first hit of the game with two outs in the 1st inning. After a Martinez walk, the speedy Metzger scored the first run of the game on an error by the AirHogs' catcher.
Texas plated two runs in the 2nd and one in the 3rd to claim a 3-1 advantage. The RailCats clawed their way to a tie by pushing a run across in both the 4th and 6th innings.
The RailCats found themselves in familiar territory in the 9th inning with the game tied. The boys from the SouthShore had played two straight extra innings games and six in the first 31 games of the season. It looked like they might make it three in a row when Martinez fell down 0-2 with two outs in the top of the inning.
The 12-year veteran sent the 0-2 pitch into the outfield for a double that scored Matt Petrone for the go-ahead run. Then Hamilton hit a line drive to right-center field and scored Martinez. Hamilton hustled around the bases for a triple.
Rodriguez and Black combined to throw the bottom half and save the win for the RailCats.
The RailCats scored all five of their runs with two outs. Matt Petrone scored the go-ahead run for the third consecutive game. Petrone, Tillman Pugh, and EJ Devarie each had multi-hit games for the Cats. Gary SouthShore didn't commit an error on the evening.
Charle Rosario takes the mound tomorrow looking for the sweep of the AirHogs. The RailCats have not lost with the Dominican on the mound since the season-opener. First pitch is at 7:05 and coverage begins at 6:45 on 95.9 WEFM and railcatsbaseball.com.
American Association Stories from June 22, 2016
- American Association Game Recaps - AA
- Game Unravels in 7th for 'Hawks, 9-3 - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
- Martin, Reynolds Help AirHogs to Game 3 Win - Texas AirHogs
- 'Dogs Break out in 8th, Even Series - Lincoln Saltdogs
- Saltdogs Rally Past Goldeyes in Eighth - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Straka Beats Former Team, Saints Finish off Explorers 6-4, Win Five of Six on Roadtrip - St. Paul Saints
- Sioux City Ends Series With Saints With Loss - Sioux City Explorers
- Blaster Closer Abreu Heading to Mexican League - Joplin Blasters
- Glasser's First Pro Homer Propels Blasters to Win - Joplin Blasters
- American Association Game Recap - AA
- Wingnuts Game Notes: June 22 at Laredo - Wichita Wingnuts
- RailCats Steal Game 2 Late, 5-3 - Texas AirHogs
- Clutch Two out Hitting Gives RailCats 5-3 Win - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Guillen Extends Hitting Streak to 12 Games in 4-2 Loss - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Goldeyes Start Road Trip Strong in Lincoln - Winnipeg Goldeyes
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