AA Gary SouthShore Railcats

RailCats Avoid Sweep with 3-0 Shutout in Rain-Shortened Contest

June 24, 2018 - American Association (AA)
Gary SouthShore Railcats News Release


Sioux City, Iowa - The Gary SouthShore RailCats avoided being swept for the second time in a week to the Sioux City Explorers with a 3-0 shutout on Sunday night in a rain-shortened contest from Mercy Field at Lewis & Clark Park. Sunday's game was the final regular season game between the two teams and featured two separate rain delays, ultimately the latter of the two resulting in the game being called with two outs and Jose Sermo on first in the bottom of the seventh.

Daniel Minor (5-2) recorded the win in his first career complete game shutout. The right-hander yielded three hits, two walks and struck out eight over 6.2 scoreless frames. The second-year RailCat retired 14 in a row at one point and set down 18 of the first 20 he faced in his league-high ninth start.

Gary (18-15) took their first lead in six games against Sioux City (26-10) with an unearned run in the first. Back-to-back two-out singles from Andy Paz and Colin Willis gave the 'Cats runners on the corners before D.K. Carey hit a one-hopper to Sermo at third base, however, his throw to first base skipped past Explorers first baseman Dexture McCall, allowing Paz to score from third.

The 'Cats doubled their lead with another run in the second. Garrett Copeland led off the inning with a double to center before Christoph Bono reached on an infield single. However, the inning came to a temporary hiatus after a 20-minute rain delay stopped play from continuing. After the rain stopped, Cole Fabio bounced into a double play, however, Copeland scored from third, giving Gary a 2-0 lead.

Gary scored the final run of the series with two outs in the fifth. Cole Fabio doubled off the base of the left field wall to lead off the inning before advancing to third on a throwing error on a pickoff attempt from X's starter James Dykstra. Three batters later, Paz delivered a two-out RBI single, bringing in Fabio.

James Dykstra (5-2) was tagged with the loss despite throwing the third complete game of his seven-year career. The right-hander allowed three runs (one earned) on seven hits, no walks and matched a career-high with 10 strikeouts.

Gary continues their five-game road trip on Monday night at 7:05 p.m. against the Chicago Dogs at Impact Field. LHP Alex Gunn (4-2, 3.00) gets the ball for Gary in the inaugural regular-season game from Rosemont, Ill., while Chicago has yet to announce their starter for the series opener.

Gary returns home to U.S. Steel Yard on Wednesday, June 27th, for two games against the Chicago Dogs. Wednesday's game is at 7:10 p.m. and is another "Office Wednesday", Pretzel Night, NorthShore Health Centers Wednesday and Wine Wednesday. Fans can sign up for the "Office Olympics" Jersey Auction during the game and can also purchase $2.50 Bavarian Pretzels and $4 Barefoot Wine and Barefoot Refresh Spritzers.

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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American Association Stories from June 24, 2018


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