Late Game Heroics Push RedHawks Past RailCats 4-3
June 15, 2013 - American Association (AA)
Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks News Release
FARGO, N.D. - Keith Brachold hit the go-ahead home run in the eighth and Brian Ernst pitched six innings in his professional debut, as the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks came back to defeat the Gary SouthShore RailCats, 4-3, Saturday at Newman Outdoor Field.
The RedHawks (15-14) had only two hits and trailed 2-0 heading into the sixth. Mitch Einertson and Nic Jackson led the inning off with singles. With one out, Jackson scored from second after a fielding error by RailCats' Steve Little allowed Keith Brachold to reach base. C.J. Retherford came up next and hit a line-drive single off the leg off Gary reliever Ian Durham, which scored Tim Alberts on the play.
A dramatic seventh inning changed the outlook of Saturday's matchup in front of 4,087 fans.
Tyler Smith hit a lead-off triple off RedHawks reliever Nate Kilcrease to begin the seventh with the teams tied 2-2. Jackson made a diving catch in center field off the next batter for the RailCats, Zac Mitchell. Smith in turn was called out on the same play for leaving third early on a sacrifice fly attempt - getting the RedHawks two outs in the inning and out of a RailCats potential scoring chance. Buddy Sosnoskie gave Fargo-Moorhead their first lead of the game in the bottom of the seventh with a solo home run, putting the RedHawks on top 3-2.
The RailCats (13-13) responded in the eighth tying the game at 3-3. Cristian Guerrero doubled to right-center driving in Adam Klein after he had walked and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt.
Brachold went 2-for-4 on the day and hit the eventual game-winning run with his fourth home run of the season in the eighth off Gary reliever Marco Gonzalez - who dropped his record to 0-3 on the season.
RedHawks starter Brian Ernst made his first start for Fargo-Moorhead and gave up four hits and two unearned runs in six innings, while walking and striking out two batters. Harris improved his record to 2-2 on the year giving up one hit, one walk and striking out a batter in one inning pitched. Chase Johnson picked up his ninth consecutive save pitching a scoreless ninth.
"I had a lot of nerves early on once I got out there," RedHawks starter Brian Ernst said. "I settled down after a couple innings. Once I got through the third inning I thought I had better command."
Gary SouthShore's Guerrero led the RailCats at the plate with two hits. Starter Ari Ronick pitched 5 1/3 innings allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits.
The RedHawks and RailCats conclude their three-game series at 1 p.m., Sunday at Newman Outdoor Field. Tickets are available at fmredhawks.com or by calling (701) 235-6161.
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