RailCats Climb Back into First with 13-5 Win Over Saltdogs
Published on August 26, 2011 under American Association (AA)
Gary SouthShore Railcats News Release
GARY, Ind. - After spotting the Lincoln Saltdogs four runs in the third, the Gary SouthShore RailCats stormed back with eleven unanswered runs to claim a 13-5 victory and move back into a tie for first place in the American Association's Central Division.
With Wichita's 3-2 loss to Amarillo in ten innings in Kansas, the RailCats moved into a tie for first place in the Central Division with just five games remaining in the American Association regular season.
The eerie august sky set the scene for Thursday's contest, as the Saltdogs seemingly got every break in the early going. Lincoln somehow found a few tiny holes in the RailCats defense and capitalized on an error to plate four unearned runs against âCats starter Trent Lare, highlighted by a Curt Smith three-run homer. The 6'3" lefty rallied to deliver a much needed quality start for Greg Tagert's bunch, going deep in the ballgame to earn the win, his first since joining the RailCats in the trade that brought reliever Andy Shipman back to Northwest Indiana. On the night, Lare was charged with one earned run after scattering 11 hits, striking out four and walking two over 6.2 strong innings of work.
The RailCats answered the Lincoln rally with a four-run onslaught of their own in the third. Left fielder Toddric Johnson, who finished 3-3 with three runs scored and two walks, set the stage for the RailCats with a leadoff home run down the right field line. With one out, Mike Massaro and Brad Boyer each singled to put runners at second and third for Cristian Guerrero. The Dominican slugger cut the Saltdogs lead to 4-2 after an RBI-groundout to second with Boyer advancing to second on the play. Third baseman Rico Washington drew a walk, his fifth in two days, and Kyle Haines followed with a sharp single to drive in Boyer and make it a 4-3 ballgame. The RailCats knotted the game at four runs apiece when Mike Rohde singled to drive in Washington.
The momentum from the bottom of the third carried over to the very next inning when the RailCats took a 7-4 lead on a three-run bomb off the bat of Massaro to deep right center. The fleet-footed outfielder continued his recent tear with yet another phenomenal offensive performance and raised his batting average to .333 on the season. Massaro reached base an astounding six times going 4-4 with a pair of walks with three RBI and two runs scored. The three-run blast in the fourth was also the first of the season for the RailCats newly crowned record holder for hits in a season.
The home team was not content with seven unanswered runs and exploded for a four-run outburst in the sixth to grab an 11-4 advantage. Johnson scored the first run on a fielder's choice off the bat of Boyer and Washington's two-RBI single knocked in both Chris Carrara and Boyer to gave the âCats a 10-4 lead. Guerrero crossed the plate for the final tally in the frame on Rohde's RBI-single.
After Lincoln scratched together their first earned run against Lare in the seventh, Nolan Nicholson pitched a scoreless 1.1 innings allowing just one hit, while Travis Minix pitched a scoreless ninth to shut the door on Lincoln. The RailCats will go for the series win Friday sending RHP Scott Shaw (10-4, 5.26) to the mound to take on LHP Jino Gonzalez (5-0, 1.32) of the Saltdogs.
Despite messages to the contrary, the RailCats do have a limited number of tickets remaining for Friday's contest featuring Myron Noodleman and as always Fireworks Friday, presented by First Midwest Bank and the Post-Tribune. The last remaining seats are sure to go fast so call the âCats at 219.882.2255 to make sure you reserve you seat for all the fun and excitement this weekend. Please note that both Friday and Saturday's games will be an internet only broadcast so www.railcatsbaseball.com is your best bet if you are unable to attend either game!
American Association Stories from August 26, 2011
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- Wingnuts Gain Split, Three Teams Even with Four Left - Wichita Wingnuts
- Jennings, Kaminsky Duel in Home Finale, AirHogs Win 4-0 For Series Sweep - Shreveport-Bossier Captains
- Saints Drop Great Pitchers Duel 2-0 - St. Paul Saints
- Winnipeg's Forney Named American Associaton Manager Of The Year - AA
- Forney Crowned Manager of the Year - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- St. Paul Takes Game Three 5-2 - Sioux City Explorers
- Douglas leads hit barrage in doubleheader sweep - Grand Prairie AirHogs
- AirHogs Sweep Captains in Doubleheader 12-0, 4-3 - Shreveport-Bossier Captains
- Pheasants can't hold late lead, lose to Kansas City - Sioux Falls Canaries
- RailCats Climb Back into First with 13-5 Win Over Saltdogs - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- American Association Results - AA
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