AA Gary SouthShore Railcats

Guerrero, RailCats Walk Off with 12-11 Win in Slugfest

Published on July 11, 2011 under American Association (AA)
Gary SouthShore Railcats News Release


GARY, Ind. - The Gary SouthShore RailCats salvaged a 12-11 victory at U. S. Steel Yard Monday evening, completing their fourth consecutive walk-off win against the Sioux City Explorers on a bases-loaded single by Cristian Guerrero in the ninth.

It wouldn't be another RailCats victory over the X's at U. S. Steel Yard without another walk-off. The RailCats jumped out to a 10-2 lead thanks to 11 hits in the first four innings only to see the Sioux City Explorers take an 11-10 lead after a nine run seventh. The home faithful were treated to another thrilling victory thanks to the Guerrero smash up the middle in the ninth which was good for his third game-winning hit of the 2011 campaign and second against the X's. In the Explorers last visit to Northwest Indiana from June 6-9, the RailCats completed a four-game sweep with three consecutive last at-bat wins, making this the fourth walk-off in as many games.

After collecting at least 10 hits in each of the last five games and six of the last seven, four RailCats with double-digit hits paved the way for Guerrero's late game heroics. Second baseman Brad Boyer upped his average to an incredible .390 after another four-hit performance which included a double and two runs scored. Toddric Johnson supplied the power with six RBI on three hits including a grand slam and a two-RBI double. First baseman Mike Rohde added three hits and three RBI of his own to the offensive output and Mike Massaro contributed a pair of singles and an RBI for the home team. Additionally, eight of the nine RailCats in the starting lineup collected at least one hit in the win.

The ‘Cats grabbed four runs in the first, making it 14 runs in the first inning over last four games for Northwest Indiana's premier professional sports franchise. With two outs and runners on second and third, Johnson collected the first two of his six RBI on the night with a single. After a Kyle Haines single, Rohde doubled to centerfield to drive in both Johnson and Haines giving the RailCats a 4-0 advantage. However, the lead was cut in half by the visitors the very next inning on a sacrifice fly by Brett Flowers and on a safety squeeze by Derek Schermerhorn.

The RailCats offense poured it on in the fourth, exploding for six more runs off Explorers starter Ty Marotz. Chris Carrara singled and scored on an Adam Klein triple while Klein gingerly came home a batter later when Massaro singled up the middle. Klein left the game after suffering a hamstring strain legging out the triple. After a Boyer single and a walk to Guerrero loaded the bases, Johnson stepped into the box and jacked the first pitch he saw onto the roof of the Diamond Club in right field stretching the lead to 10-2. The homer was the eighth for the RailCats in their last five games and third for Johnson in his last four. In 3.2 innings, the ‘Cats pounded Marotz for 11 hits and 10 earned runs and looked poised for an easy victory in their return to U. S. Steel Yard.

The Explorers had other ideas in mind on the other hand as Sioux City put nine runs on the board in the seventh on eight singles and a pair of back-to-back homers by Dustin Jones and Wally Backman, Jr. RailCats starter Jack Frawley, who allowed two runs over his first six innings of work, left with the lead but did not record an out in the inning. The X's sent 13 men to the plate and did their damage on 10 hits taking an 11-10 advantage while the stunned U. S. Steel Yard faithful watched in disbelief.

Greg Tagert's squad shook off the seventh inning and rallied to tie the game in the eighth taking advantage of a Sioux City miscue. Haines ended up on second after the error by leftfielder TJ Bohn and scored two pitches later on a sharp single by Rohde which set the stage for another Guerrero walk-off.

Pinch-hitter Craig Maddox doubled to deep left to lead off the frame and was replaced by pinch-runner Nolan Nicholson. The X's walked Massaro intentionally to set up the double play but that meant Sioux City was forced to pitch to the red-hot Boyer, who was named American Association Batter of the Week earlier in the day. Boyer reached on an infield single and Guerrero's single on the very next pitch sent RailCats fans home happy.

The same two teams meet tomorrow at 7:10 p.m. at U. S. Steel Yard as Nicholson (3-6, 6.32) is scheduled to face the X's RHP Jason Jarvis (0-1, 15.63). The RailCats invite you to join us as we celebrate Rusty's Birthday on Tenth Anniversary Tuesday. Rusty's old friend Steve Haake, a member of the RailCats Tenth Anniversary Team will be on hand as well to sign autographs before the game so be sure to arrive early! For more information on everything RailCats Baseball or to purchase tickets to an upcoming game, visit www.railcatsbaseball.com or call the ‘Cats at 219.882.2255 now!

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American Association Stories from July 11, 2011


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