Metzger and Hernandez Lead RailCats over Fargo
Published on August 23, 2015 under American Association (AA)
Gary SouthShore Railcats News Release
Fargo, ND -I n a season full of changes it took two players not with the Gary South Shore RailCats on the last day of July to make the difference in 12-7 win over the Fargo-Morehead RedHawks Saturday night. The RailCats got four doubles from Brennan Metzger tying an American Association single game record and a four RBI night from Alex Hernandez as the RailCats also stayed alive in the wild card playoff spot hunt.
The RailCats took a lead 1-0 in the first on a leadoff triple from Jon Jones off of starter Brandon Mann for Fargo. Jones came home on a fielder's choice RBI from Metzger to make it 1-0. After Fargo tied it off of Renee Solis in the bottom of the first the RailCats would take the lead in the second when the RedHawks failed to execute a tailor made double play ball. That lead was short lived as Fargo came back in the bottom of the second. With one out Solis walked Charlie Valerio and Ryan Pineda to bring up Zach Penprase. The veteran short stop would hit a double of the wall in left to make it 3-2 Fargo.
The RailCats then followed that three runs in the top of the third. Metzger added a double to follow a Jones single and then Jose Sermo and Alex Hernandez each knocked in a run and it was 5-3 South Shore. Solis retired the next six he faced until he ran into trouble in the fifth. Solis walked the number nine man in the order Pineda then Penprase would follow with a single. Drew Muren hit a fly to right that RailCats right fielder Sermo could not find and the ball landed behind him for a double scoring Pineda to make it 5-4.
The RedHawks moved Penprase to third on a fielder's choice and with one out Joe Bonfe got Penprase home with another fielder's choice. With the score tied at five a wild pitch moved Penprase home and it was 6-5 Fargo. Solis would get a ND working five for Gary giving up. Matt Solter worked a 1-2-3 sixth and after what happened next was in line for win
In the seventh Metzger and Hernandez teamed up again. Metzger reached on a double while Adam Taylor was hit by a pitch to put runners at first and second off of Mann. Jaime Del Valle scarified the runners up a step bringing up Hernandez. The Florida native, who joined the club August 1st then doubled to bring home three and wipe the baes clean and make it 8-6 RailCats.
Fargo would get a run back in the seventh on a double by Drew Muren off of Andy Roberts. With one out he went to third on a ground ball to first and came home on a passed ball charged to catcher Michael Vaughn.
RailCats would load the bases in the ninth when Jose Sermo walked to start the inning off of Jonathan Chudy. Hernandez then singled to put runners at first and second. Spencer Mahoney then put down a sac bunt that Chudy threw down the right field line for an error scoring Sermo to make it 9-7. Michael Vaughn hit a sac fly to right to bring home another run to make it 10-7. Then Jon Jones and Brennan Metzger both doubled in a run each give the South Shore a 12-7 cushion.
Any Loomis worked a 1-2-3 ninth to close out the game for the RailCats. Matt Solter (1-2) picked up his first career win for the RailCats. Brandon Mann (5-9) suffered the loss despite setting the single season strike out record for Fargo adding nine strike outs to his season total of 133. The RailCats now trail Laredo by four games in the Wild Card race of the American Association. The teams will wrap up the three game series at 1:00pm Sunday at Newman Outdoor Stadium in Fargo.
American Association Stories from August 23, 2015
- Martis Terrific Again But 'Dogs Fall in 12 - Lincoln Saltdogs
- American Association Game Recaps - Amarillo ThunderHeads
- X's Win 3-2 In Twelve Innings Vs. Lincoln To Get Season Sweep - Sioux City Explorers
- A Windy Sunday Goes against the RailCats 12-3 - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Saints Drop First Series at CHS Field Lose 10-3 to Canaries - St. Paul Saints
- Wild Game Falls in Favor of Laredo on Sunday Afternoon - Wichita Wingnuts
- American Association Game Recaps - AA
- Blasters Comeback Earns Series Split in Kansas City - Joplin Blasters
- Fish Can't Hold Lead, Drop Another Day Game - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Blackwell and the Birds Snap 7-Game Skid with 6-0 Win in St. Paul - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Metzger and Hernandez Lead RailCats over Fargo - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Historical Night for Brandon Mann,'Hawks Fall 12-7 to Gary - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
- Mittelstaedt's Pair of Home Runs Lead to Comeback Win - Wichita Wingnuts
- Rain Keeps Saints Bats Cold in 6-0 Shutout Loss to Canaries - St. Paul Saints
- Blasters Slam T-Bones to Snap Losing Streak - Joplin Blasters
- T-Bones' Offense Stymied in Loss - Kansas City Monarchs
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
