RailCats Falter in Season Opener, Lose to Saints 8-3
Published on May 20, 2016 under American Association (AA)
Gary SouthShore Railcats News Release
St. PAUL, MN- Timely hitting and a towering two-run homer were too much to overcome for the Gary SouthShore RailCats as they fell in the season opener to the St. Paul Saints 8-3. The Saints (1-0) compiled nine hits, concentrating a bulk of them in the middle innings during a six-run outburst over the fourth and fifth innings, spoiling the first game of 2016 for the RailCats (0-1).
Charle Rosario started for the Cats and rolled through the first three innings before running into trouble in the fourth and fifth innings. Mark Hamburger, the St. Paul starter, had a quality start to begin his season as the ace for the Saints. He went seven innings giving up one run on three hits while striking out five.
The scoring began in the fourth as Nate Hanson led off the inning with a single. The Saints continued with a walk and fielder's choice before a single loaded the bases. Alonzo Harris then singled to right field to score the game's first two runs. Next, a pair of bunts scratched two more runs across before Rosario escaped the inning with a strikeout.
The RailCats answered with a run of their own in the top of the fifth. Tillman Pugh led off with a single and moved to third on Jaime Del Valle's single, his second hit of the game. Hamburger then struck out the next two batters before Cameron Newell's RBI single pushed Pugh across for the RailCats first run of the season.
Rosario ran into trouble again in the fifth when Hanson singled with one out in the inning. The next batter, Mike Gilmartin, turned on a pitch up in the zone and blasted a ball over the fence to make the score 6-1.
The Saints put two more runs on the board against reliever Alex Gunn in the 7th. Newell and Matt Hibbert scored in the 8th off a Jose Sermo single and Pugh sacrifice fly drawing the score to 8-3.
Rookie right-hander Manny Arciniega provided a bright spot for the Cats in 8th by shutting down the Saints in order on a ground out and two strikeouts in his professional debut.
The RailCats and Saints are back at it on Friday, May 20th at 7:05 for game two of the four game series. You can catch the action starting with the Mansard's Pre-Game Show at 6:40 on 95.9 WEFM and online at railcatsbaseball.com.
American Association Stories from May 20, 2016
- American Association Results - AA
- Goldeyes Gritty in Extra Innings - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Canaries Power Their Way To 10-4 Win Over Sioux City In Home Opener - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Frantic RailCats' Rally Falls Short in 6-5 Loss to Saints - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Extra Inning Affair in Joplin Goes to Winnipeg - Joplin Blasters
- Game Ends on Play at Plate as Saints Hang on for 6-5 Win - St. Paul Saints
- Late Rally Spoils Capra's Strong Start - Wichita Wingnuts
- X's Belt Three Home Runs But Fall Short in Sioux Falls - Sioux City Explorers
- 'Dogs Come Back in Ninth to Start 2-0 - Lincoln Saltdogs
- Wingnuts Game Notes: May 20 vs. Lincoln - Wichita Wingnuts
- RailCats Falter in Season Opener, Lose to Saints 8-3 - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- American Association Game Recaps - AA
- Explorers Fall to Sioux Falls in Season Opener - Sioux City Explorers
- Kain's Four Hits Not Enough in Opener - Wichita Wingnuts
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.
