Martinez' Heroics Propel RailCats to 6-5 Victory
Published on August 11, 2016 under American Association (AA)
Gary SouthShore Railcats News Release
FARGO, ND- Frank Martinez hit a go-ahead home run to complete the biggest comeback of the Gary SouthShore RailCats (39-38) season and cap a 6-5 win over the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks (37-39) at Newman Outdoor Field.
The RailCats fell down 4-0 after the 3rd inning and 4-1 going into the top of the 7th but stayed in the game thanks to Martinez. The switch-hitting designated hitter was 5-5 with five RBI and two runs scored. The largest previous comeback for Gary SouthShore was down two runs through five innings.
Both teams threw their ace tonight and each of them struggled some. The RailCats' Charle Rosario lasted 6.2 innings and gave up five runs on six hits and four walks. The All-Star struck out six RedHawk batters. Taylor Stanton took the mound for Fargo and pitched 6.1 innings and allowed three runs on six hits. The right-hander walked five RailCats and struck out just four batters.
Rosario was wild early in the game, which contributed to a three-run 2nd inning for Fargo. Two walks brought Dustin Geiger to the plate who singled in the first run of the game. Later, one runner scored on a wild pitch and a Mike Gilmartin base hit knocked in another.
The RedHawks added another run in the 3rd, this time on a Josh Mazzola home run, to make it 4-0.
The RailCats scored their first run in the next frame. Martinez led off with a double and advanced to third on an EJ Devarie groundout. Then, the Dominican Republic-native came home to score on a double by Jose Gonzalez.
The pitchers settled in over the middle innings before both teams perked up in the 7th. Jarred Mederos started the inning with a single and Reggie Wilson followed with a walk. With two outs, Martinez came up big again with his second double of the game. Both Wilson and Mederos scored on the extra-base hit.
The RedHawks chased Rosario from the game in the bottom half by scoring one run on a Keury De La Cruz double. The score was 5-3 heading to the 8th.
Fargo sent closer Colton Reavis to the mound in the 9th inning to shut the game down. The right-hander got Mederos and Cameron Newell to fly out but walked Wilson to keep the Cats' hopes alive. Next, Anthony Cheky hit a single to keep the game going. Then, Martinez hit the first pitch he saw out of the park to give the RailCats their first lead of the game.
Moises Melendez and Santiago Rodriguez combined to throw the bottom of the 9th and close the game. Lars Liguori earned the win for the RailCats after throwing 1.1 innings of scoreless ball in relief of Rosario.
Martinez' home run gave him the most home runs of any RailCat this season (nine), breaking his tie with the traded Tillman Pugh. He also joined Pugh as the only RailCat to record a five-RBI game this year. His offensive explosion came after going 0-12 in his last three games. The slugger leads the team in RBI and runs scored.
The RailCats look to win their third game in a row tomorrow night against the RedHawks. First pitch is at 7:02 PM and coverage begins at 6:40 PM on 95.9 WEFM and railcatsbaseball.com.
American Association Stories from August 11, 2016
- AirHogs Use Huge 7th to Down Joplin, 9-2 - Texas AirHogs
- Mamas and the Papas, New Dad Nate Hanson Has Big Game in 15-1 Saints Victory - St. Paul Saints
- Comeback Falls Short against Wichita - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Martinez' Heroics Propel RailCats to 6-5 Victory - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Blasters Doomed by Errors and Big Inning - Joplin Blasters
- Saints March Their Way to 15-1 Thumping of Canaries - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Chavez, Vargas Lead Wingnuts Past Goldeyes - Wichita Wingnuts
- Goldeyes Add Experienced Reliever - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- RailCats Trade Pugh - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Two-Out Hits Sink Blasters in Finale Loss - Joplin Blasters
- AirHogs Drop Series Finale vs. Laredo, 4-1 - Texas AirHogs
- T-Bones Come Back, Walk off to Complete Sweep - Lincoln Saltdogs
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