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Gary SouthShore Railcats

Mederos Rbi Caps Four-Run Comeback Win for RailCats

August 24, 2016 - American Association (AA)
Gary SouthShore Railcats News Release


LINCOLN, NE- The Gary SouthShore RailCats (46-43) scored six runs in the final five innings to come back and defeat the Lincoln Saltdogs (47-41) 6-5 on Wednesday.

The win pulled the RailCats to 1.5 games back of the division-leading Saltdogs with 11 games remaining in the season. The RailCats have won seven of their last eight games and have a chance to win the series over the Saltdogs tomorrow.

The first pitch was thrown at 11:05 AM and it didn't take long for momentum to swing Lincoln's way. RailCats starting pitcher Taylor Black walked the first batter he faced and gave up a two-run home run to the third batter. Cleanup man Curt Smith made it 3-0 with a solo shot, much to the delight of 5,726 screaming fans on Lincoln Public Schools day at Haymarket Park.

Black navigated the next two frames before the Saltdogs added to their lead in the fourth. Austin Darby and Tyler Urps both walked with one out. Robby Kuzdale followed with a singled but Darby was caught at third. Urps and Kuzdale ended up advancing on a passed ball and then again on a wild pitch by Black. Urps scored on the wild pitch to make it 4-0.

The RailCats left seven runners on base in the first four innings before finally converting runners to runs in the fifth. Frank Martinez drew a two-out walk and Alex Crosby hit a home run in the next at bat for the RailCats' first runs of the game. It was Crosby's second homer in the past three games.

Gary SouthShore continued to chip into the Saltdogs' lead in the sixth inning. Jeff McKenzie came on to relieve starter Matt Shepherd and struggled from the start. EJ Devarie began the frame with a base hit and advanced on an Andy DeJesus sacrifice bunt. Collin Willis knocked him in with a two-out double to make it 4-3.

The Saltdogs got to relief pitcher Aryton Costa in the bottom of the sixth. Cesar Valera walked and scored on a Darby double. Costa retired the next three batters to limit Lincoln to one run.

The next excitement came in the top of the eighth. Jaimed Del Valle led off with a double and moved to third on a Devarie single. Devarie was caught stealing before Andy Dejesus walked. DeJesus stole second base and Colin Willis walked to load the bases with two outs. Reggie Wilson beat out a slow-rolling grounder for a RBI infield single. Then, Chase Harris tied the game with a bunt single towards third base that scored DeJesus.

Lincoln got two runners aboard in the bottom of the eighth off of Lars Liguori so Greg Tagert called on another bullpen arm. Santiago Rodriguez came in and struck out the next two batters to keep the score tied at five runs.

The Saltdogs turned to their closer, Evan Reed, in the top of the ninth. Crosby hit the first pitch he saw into the outfield for a base hit to start the frame. Del Valle hit into a fielder's choice that retired Crosby and was then pinch ran for by Rob Alonso. Following a Devarie strikeout, DeJesus walked to keep the threat alive. Next, Jarred Mederos delivered with a line drive single that scored Alonso and gave the RailCats the lead at 6-5.

Jorge de Leon, who was charged with the loss last night, came on to pitch the bottom of the ninth. He gave up a single to the first batter he faced but came back with a strikeout of Brandon Jacobs. Then, the right-hander closed the game by inducing a double play to end it.

The four-run comeback was the largest of the RailCats season. Wilson, Marinez, Crosby and Devarie all had multiple hits on the day. The RailCats overcame 13 runners left on base. They did not commit an error.

The RailCats go for their third straight series win tomorrow in Lincoln. First pitch is at 6:35 PM and coverage begins at 6:10 PM on 95.9 WEFM and railcatsbaseball.com.

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