Crosby, Minor Lead 'Cats to 5-1 Win over Dogs in Series Opener
July 2, 2018 - American Association (AA)
Gary SouthShore Railcats News Release
Rosemont, Ill. - Seven innings of one-run ball from Daniel Minor, a second-inning two-run home run from Alex Crosby and two scoreless innings from the bullpen led the Gary SouthShore RailCats to a 5-1 win over the Chicago Dogs in the series opener at Impact Field on Monday night. Minor (7-2) retired 11 in a row at one point and set down 15 of the final 16 batters he faced in his American Association-high seventh win (fourth consecutive) after yielding six hits, no walks and five strikeouts. Minor has also recorded five straight quality starts and is 4-0 with a 0.63 ERA and 22 strikeouts in his last four starts.
Chicago (14-28) took the opening lead of the series in the first on an RBI single from Trey Vavra, snapping Minor's season-high 19.1 consecutive scoreless innings streak. Jonathan Moroney doubled to the center field wall on the first pitch of the bottom of the first before Vavra brought him around to score with an RBI single to left-center.
Gary (23-19) quickly took their first lead of the series on a two-run homer down the right field line from Crosby. The home run was Crosby's second in as many days, his fourth of the season and the RailCats fifth in their last three games.
The RailCats went up by four with the final three runs of the game in the eighth. Andy Paz increased the Gary lead to three with a two-run single to center before Wilfredo Gimenez made it 5-1 with a two-out RBI single to center.
Jack Fowler tossed a scoreless bottom of the eighth and has now retired 35 of the last 46 batters he's faced in relief while Myles Smith struck out a pair in a scoreless bottom of the ninth. Former Cleveland Indian pitcher Scott Barnes (0-1) was tagged with his first American Association for Chicago after allowing two runs on six hits, four walks and five strikeouts over seven innings in his third start against the 'Cats.
The RailCats conclude their five-game road trip on Tuesday night at 6:05 p.m. against the Chicago Dogs. LHP Alex Gunn (4-3, 4.27) makes his league-high-tying 11th start for Gary while Chicago counters with LHP Evan Smith (0-0, 4.03).
Gary returns home to U.S. Steel Yard on Wednesday, July 4th, for a scheduled doubleheader against the Chicago Dogs at 5 p.m. Wednesday's game is the fifth "Office Wednesday" of the year, another NorthShore Health Centers Wednesday, and the second annual 4th of Juluau Pig Roast, presented by Berey Bros, and Barefoot Hawaiian Luau with Fire Dancers. Wednesday's game is Independence Day and will feature a classic egg toss between games and an Independence Day Fireworks Super Show after game two of the doubleheader. Fans can also sign up for the "Office Olympics" Jersey Auction during either game on Wednesday vs. Chicago.
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.
• Discuss this story on the American Association message board...
American Association Stories from July 2, 2018
- Birds Drop Series Opener to Kansas City in Tight Game - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Four-Run Fourth Downs AirHogs in Cleburne - Texas AirHogs
- T-Bones Cage the Canaries; KC Wins 3-2 in Nine Innings - Kansas City Monarchs
- Crosby, Minor Lead 'Cats to 5-1 Win over Dogs in Series Opener - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Railroaders Cruise to Series-Opening Win - Cleburne Railroaders
- Offensive Woes Continue as Saints Blanked by RedHawks 4-0 - St. Paul Saints
- Goldeyes Make Roster Moves - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Hi My Name Is...Saints Overhaul Roster with Signing of Three Pitchers and An Infielder - St. Paul Saints
- T-Bones Return Home to "Kaboom Town" to Celebrate the 4th - Kansas City Monarchs
- RedHawks' Solomon Named AA Pitcher of the Week - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
- Streaking Dogs Look to Keep Rolling against Gary - Chicago Dogs
- Walkoff Homer by Ijames Carries AirHogs to Win vs. Canaries - Texas AirHogs
- American Association Game Recaps - AA
- Kansas City Withers in Texas Heat, Falls in Series to Cleburne - Kansas City Monarchs
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Gary SouthShore Railcats Stories
- RailCats End 2023 on a High Note, Defeat Milkmen
- Cardiac 'Cats Catch Milkmen Late in Back-And-Forth Thriller
- RailCats Powerless to Stop Red-Hot Milkmen Offense
- Middle-Inning Deficit Proves Too Much to Overcome in Series Opener
- Dogs Score Big Early, Take Down RailCats in Finale