Cogan's Masterpiece Gives RailCats 3-0 Win Over Kansas City
Published on July 14, 2009 under Northern League (NL)
Gary SouthShore Railcats News Release
GARY, Ind. - Tony Cogan twirled the first complete game shutout of his professional career to lead the Gary SouthShore RailCats to a 3-0 win over the Kansas City T-Bones Tuesday night at U. S. Steel Yard in the second game of a four-game series.
Cogan (4-5) was dominant from the start Tuesday, allowing only one baserunner - Craig Hurba, who singled in the second - through the first five innings. The left-hander did not walk a single batter until the ninth, struck out a season-high eight, and allowed only two runners to reach second base all night. Cogan did not give up more than one hit in any inning, allowing only four in the game - two Hurba singles, a Neb Brown bunt single and Jacob Blackwood's infield hit.
The shutout was the first of Cogan's pro career which dates back to 1999, and the complete game was only his second. Cogan fired a complete game for the Sioux Falls Canaries of the American Association on June 29, 2006 against the St. Joseph's Blacksnakes in St. Joseph's, Missouri.
Cogan had been close to a shutout twice earlier this year, throwing eight scoreless innings June 27 against Joliet before surrendering two runs in the ninth, and carrying a shutout to the eighth June 6 against Joliet before allowing a run. The left-hander needed 117 pitches to finish his outing Tuesday and faced only 31 batters - four more than the minimum. In two starts since the All-Star Break, Cogan has allowed only seven hits and one run in 16.0 innings, striking out 14 and lowering his ERA 85 points to 4.20.
Ryan Knippschild (3-2) matched Cogan inning for inning in the early part of the game, carrying a shutout of his own into the seventh and allowing only three hits to that point. In the seventh, Jeff Beachum tagged the Kansas City lefty for a one-out single, followed by an Anthony Esquer base hit up the middle. With runners on first and second, Rob Marconi singled Beachum home and Esquer took third, a key baserunning play since Esquer was able to score one batter later when Mike Massaro chopped out back to Knippschild.
The RailCats got another insurance run in the eighth when Knippschild walked Steve Haake before being replaced by Justin James. Jordan Czarniecki greeted James with a line drive double to center, scoring Haake with the RailCats third run. Knippschild lasted 7.1 innings and allowed three earned runs on six hits in the loss.
The shutout for the RailCats was their second of the season, and followed Monday's Kansas City blanking of the RailCats, 12-0. The win was the âCats 11th in their last 14 games and 18th in 27 home games this summer.
The RailCats (28-24) and T-Bones (25-26) will have a quick turnaround before resuming their four-game series Wednesday morning at 11 a.m. on Youth & Senior Day at U. S. Steel Yard. Campers from throughout Northwest Indiana will be in the park and the first 1,000 fans will get a great RailCats Picture Pack. Tickets are available by calling 219.882.2255 or visiting the U. S. Steel Yard Box Office.
Chris Jones (2-1, 3.14 ERA) will make his ninth start of 2009 Wednesday against Kansas City right-hander Chris Rhoads (3-2, 4.86 ERA). The game will be broadcast live on 89.1 FM, The Lakeshore, and at www.railcatsbaseball.com.
Northern League Stories from July 14, 2009
- Merado Blasts Walk-Off - Schaumburg Flyers
- Cogan Throws Four-Hitter in Gary Victory - Kansas City Monarchs
- Cogan's Masterpiece Gives RailCats 3-0 Win Over Kansas City - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- RedHawks Rally for Win - Joliet JackHammers
- RedHawks Sign Tollefson and Edens - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
- Fielders Unveil Stadium Renderings and Announce Ticket Packages - Lake County Fielders
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