RailCats Hold on to Take Game and Series from Texas
July 31, 2016 - American Association (AA)
Gary SouthShore Railcats News Release
CANY0N, TX- The Gary SouthShore RailCats (37-32) used a five-run 2nd inning and quality relief pitching to outlast the Texas AirHogs (25-44) 9-8 in the series finale.
The victory capped what was a bizarre road series for the RailCats. The first game was postponed due to Potter County Memorial Stadium being deemed unplayable because of recent storms. The entire series was eventually played on the campus of West Texas A&M and featured a double-header on Saturday.
The RailCats fought through the location and game-time changes to take three of four from the AirHogs and finish their seven-game road trip at 5-2. American Association teams will now take a three-day break for the league's All-Star Game.
Travis McGee earned the win for the RailCats after throwing 2.2 innings of relief and allowing just one run on five hits. The Californian struck out four batters and did not issue a walk.
Braulio Torres-Perez started for the RailCats and gave up five runs over 2.1 innings. The rookie was not helped by the Cats' defense in his first professional start. The RailCats committed two errors in the first three innings that led to three unearned runs. After McGee, four other RailCat relievers were used and combined to allow just two runs over four innings.
The RailCats jumped on the board early with a run in the 1st inning and five in the 2nd. EJ Devarie crossed home on a wild pitch to open the scoring. Cameron Newell hit a two-RBI double and Frank Martinez blasted his second home run in two days to provide the bulk of the 2nd inning scoring.
Martinez and Jose Gonzalez knocked in runs in the 4th inning and Alex Crosby came through in the 6th to cap the scoring for the Cats. The bullpen took control of the game after that to hold on for the win. Jorge de Leon recorded the save by giving up one run but closing the door before the tying score came across.
Newell and Martinez had three-hit days while Chase Harris and Crosby had two hits apiece. Newell and Martinez had multi-RBI days as well. The RailCats pitching staff did not surrender a home run for the first time in this series. Gary SouthShore improved to 14-4 in day games.
The strong road trip put the RailCats in playoff contention heading into the All-Star Break. They stand 2.5 games back of the Lincoln Saltdogs in the Central Division and just two games back of the Winnipeg Goldeyes for the Wild Card.
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American Association Stories from July 31, 2016
- Wingnuts Head into Break with Series Win - Wichita Wingnuts
- RailCats Hold on to Take Game and Series from Texas - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Five Home Runs Down Blasters in Final Game Before Break - Joplin Blasters
- RailCats Outslug AirHogs for Game 4 Victory - Texas AirHogs
- Canaries Can't Complete Comeback - Sioux Falls Canaries
- 'Dogs Record Best July Ends in Loss - Lincoln Saltdogs
- Straka Stellar as Saints Head into All-Star Break with 8-3 Win - St. Paul Saints
- X's Get 6-5 Victory Over Canaries On Christmas In July - Sioux City Explorers
- Carl, Eadington Combine for Two-Hit Shutout - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Cabrera Added to All-Star Roster - Winnipeg Goldeyes
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