RailCats Come Back Late, Win Third Straight Over T-Bones
Published on July 16, 2009 under Northern League (NL)
Gary SouthShore Railcats News Release
GARY, Ind. - Cristian Guerrero's two-out run-scoring single capped a two-run eighth inning as the Gary SouthShore RailCats came from behind to down the Kansas City T-Bones 6-5 Thursday night at U. S. Steel Yard, the âCats third win in a row over the reigning league champions.
In a back-and-forth ballgame, the RailCats fell behind 5-4 on a two-run Jacob Blackwood home run in the sixth and were held scoreless the next two innings by the Kansas City bullpen. But in the eighth, Eric McNamee drew a leadoff walk from Daniel Sattler (1-3) and went to second on Jay Pecci bunt. Steve Haake came up next and capped a three-hit day with his league-leading 46th RBI, grounding a single through the right side to score McNamee from second with the game-tying run. Haake would steal second before Guerrero - on a 3-for-41 slide - smacked a base hit into left to score Haake with the winning tally.
The last at bat win was the RailCats fifth in the month of July and 10th this season, and the win overall was the RailCats sixth in seven games since the All-Star Break. Dating back to the first half of the season, the âCats have won 13 of their last 16 games overall and have won five consecutive series.
In the early going, starters Tom Thornton and Luis Villarreal were burning through the lineups, with Thornton allowing only one hit through and first three innings and Villarreal retiring the first eight men he faced. After Rob Marconi walked with two outs in the RailCats third, however, the game was delayed by a driving rainstorm, and after the delay neither starter looked as sharp.
The T-Bones scored first with a run in the top of the fourth before Haake slammed a double to right-center in the bottom of the inning to tie the score. Kansas City counterpunched with two runs in the top of the fifth on a Greg Jacobs double but again the RailCats had an answer, plating three runs in the bottom of the inning on consecutive two-out singles by Mike Massaro and McNamee.
Thornton allowed five runs on seven hits in six innings but managed to stay unbeaten in his last seven starts. Villarreal could throw only 79 pitches in five innings Thursday, allowing four earned runs on five hits in five innings. Grant Johnson (3-6) made his second relief appearance of the year and was again very sharp, facing only seven men in two innings and striking out three. Andy Shipman tossed a 1-2-3 ninth for his eighth save of the year and third against his former team.
Haake finished 3-for-4 with two RBI to lead an efficient RailCats attack. The âCats had only eight hits and left just five men stranded, and only McNamee - who went 2-for-3 and scored twice - joined Haake with multiple hits. Three RailCats stole bases in the game: Haake, Rob Marconi and Mike Rohde.
The RailCats (30-24) continue a seven-game homestand Friday night at 7 p.m. with the first of three against the Schaumburg Flyers (26-26). It's a Fireworks Friday night at U. S. Steel Yard, with a great post-game fireworks show at the ballpark sponsored by First Midwest Bank and the Post-Tribune. For ticket information, visit www.railcatsbaseball.com or call 219.882.2255.
Right-hander Garret Holleran (0-1, 2.00 ERA) will make his second start of the season for the RailCats against former Chicago Cubs left-hander Carmen Pignatiello (4-5, 5.72 ERA). All the action will be broadcast live on 89.1 FM, The Lakeshore, and www.railcatsbaseball.com.
Notes: The game was delayed 1:10 in the bottom of the third inning by rain ... Jordan Czarniecki failed to reach base snapping his on-base streak at 21 games ... Pecci also failed to reach - although his eighth inning sacrifice was instrumental in the comeback - snapping a 22-game on-base streak at U. S. Steel Yard ... the RailCats won for the fifth time this year when trailing after seven innings ... before the game, the RailCats played left-handed reliever Clint Goocher on irrevocable waivers for the purpose of granting his unconditional release. Goocher, just over a year removed from Tommy John elbow surgery, went 1-0 with an 8.44 ERA in four relief appearances with the RailCats.
Northern League Stories from July 16, 2009
- RailCats Come Back Late, Win Third Straight Over T-Bones - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Gary Takes Series with Eighth-Inning Rally - Kansas City Monarchs
- Flyers Settle for Series-Split - Schaumburg Flyers
- Northern League Transactions - NL
- Northern League Newsletter - NL
- Correll Powers the Jackhammers! Joliet With Five in the Fifth for an 8-2 Win! - Joliet JackHammers
- Goldeyes Place Odom on Disabled List - Winnipeg Goldeyes
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.
