Maddox's Grand Slam Leads 'Cats to 9-4 Win

August 1, 2012 - American Association (AA)
Gary SouthShore Railcats News Release

SIOUX CITY, Iowa - RailCats catcher Craig Maddox hit a go-ahead grand slam in the fifth inning in the 'Cats 9-4 victory over the Explorers on Wednesday night. Maddox was 2-for-5 with a team season-high five RBI.

With the RailCats trailing 3-2, David Cooper led off the fifth with a walk and moved to third on a single by Adam Klein. The RailCats then loaded the bases with two out for Maddox, who hit a grand slam over the left field wall to put the 'Cats on top 7-3. It was the RailCats first grand slam of the season and the second homer of the year for Maddox. He now has 25 RBI on the season.

The RailCats jumped on top in the first as Explorers starter Nick Schumacher issued back-to-back walks to Klein and Mike Massaro to start the game. Klein scored on a ground out by Ryan Babineau and Maddox drove home Massaro with an RBI double to give the 'Cats a 2-0 lead.

Peter Barrows hit a two-out solo home run off of RailCats starter Jon Gulbransen in the first. In the second inning, third baseman Brian Kolb's fielding error with two out allowed a run to score and Wally Backman Jr. followed with a run-scoring single to put the X's ahead 3-2.

After the RailCats five-run fifth, the Explorers pulled a run back in the bottom of the inning on a fielder's choice grounder by Kris Sanchez.

The RailCats added insurance in the ninth inning. Chris Carrara led off with a double and Klein brought him home with a single. Massaro singled and Mike Coles was intentionally walked to load the bases with one out. Klein would then score on a passed ball to increase the lead to 9-4.

Gulbransen (2-1) allowed four runs, two earned, on seven hits in five innings. He walked one and struck out four. Nolan Nicholson, Marshall Schuler and Marco Gonzalez combined to throw four scoreless innings out of the bullpen.

Schumacher (5-5) was touched up for seven runs on four hits in five innings, walking a season-high six. He is 0-3 with a 10.20 ERA against the RailCats this season.

The series rubber match will be on Thursday night at 7:05. Morgan Coombs (4-6, 5.10) will be the starting pitcher for the RailCats.

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American Association Stories from August 1, 2012

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• Quebec Storms Past Pheasants - Sioux Falls Canaries
• Saints Win Streak Ends in Emphatic Fashion with 14-2 Loss to RedHawks - St. Paul Saints
• Maddox's Grand Slam Leads 'Cats to 9-4 Win - Gary SouthShore Railcats
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