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AA Gary SouthShore Railcats

McKenzie's Stellar Eight Innings Leads Gary to 2-1 Win

June 8, 2018 - American Association (AA)
Gary SouthShore Railcats News Release


Fargo, N.D. - A career-high-tying eight innings from Jeff McKenzie, a pair of two-out runs and a scoreless bottom of the ninth from Myles Smith led the Gary SouthShore RailCats to a 2-1 victory over the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks on a windy Friday evening at Newman Outdoor Field. The win was Gary's third straight and the RailCats' 11th in their last 13 contests.

McKenzie (2-0) yielded just three hits, a walk and struck out three in the win. The southpaw retired 17 of the first 19 batters he saw, retired eight in a row at one point and set down the final seven he faced in his fifth start.

Myles Smith (2) struck out the final three batters after allowing a leadoff infield single in the bottom of the ninth in the save. Smith extended his consecutive scoreless innings streak to five after now allowing a run in his fourth consecutive appearance.

Gary (13-7) took the opening lead for the second straight night with a two-out run in the third. Alex Crosby extended his season-high on-base streak to 17 games with a two-out triple down the right field line before Andy De Jesus recorded his first hit of the series with a soft RBI single up the middle, bringing in Crosby.

The RailCats doubled their lead to 2-0 with another two-out run in the top of the sixth. Colin Willis reached on a one-out infield single for his second hit of the night before advancing to second on a wild pitch. D.K. Carey then grounded out to the left side of the infield, moving Willis up to third before Wilfredo Gimenez pulled an RBI single down the left field line, plating Willis.

Fargo-Moorhead (9-11) cut the Gary lead in half on Maikol Gonzalez's two-out solo home run to left in the bottom of the sixth. The homer was Gonzalez's first of the year and the RedHawks' 22nd of the season.

Sebastian Kessay (1-1) was charged with the loss in his second straight start against the 'Cats. The southpaw yielded two runs on five hits and three walks while striking out eight over 5.2 innings.

The RailCats resume their season-long seven-game road trip on Saturday evening in Fargo, N.D., against the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks at 6:00 p.m. LHP Jeff McKenzie (1-0, 6.60) counters against Fargo-Moorhead LHP Sebastian Kessay (1-0, 2.35) in game two of the four-game series.

The RailCats return home to U.S. Steel Yard from their season-long seven-game road trip on Friday, June 15th vs. the Sioux City Explorers. Friday's series opener vs. Sioux City is Merrillville, Crown Point, DeMotte and Rensselear Community Night and a Fireworks Friday, presented by Fifth Third Bank. Friday's game is also Sandlot Night and the first of two Scout Night Campouts. Scout Night ticket packages range from $9 to $19 and feature Q & A with the players after the game, the movie Sandlot on the Jumbotron, postgame fireworks, a campout on the field and s'mores and breakfast the next morning.

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.

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