RailCats Lose on Walk-Off, End Winning Streak
August 23, 2016 - American Association (AA)
Gary SouthShore Railcats News Release
The Gary SouthShore RailCats (45-43) carried a six-game winning streak into Lincoln to face the Saltdogs (47-40) but couldn't hold on to a 1-0 lead and fell 2-1.
RailCats closer Jorge de Leon was charged with the loss after giving up a RBI base hit with two outs in the ninth inning to allow the Saltdogs to earn a walk-off win.
The RailCats spoiled a phenomenal outing by starting pitcher Travis McGee. The right-hander was perfect through the first eight batters before allowing a walk with two down in the second inning. Overall, McGee pitched 6.1 innings and gave up one run on three hits. He walked three batters and struck out three.
Lindsey Caughel was equally brilliant for the Saltdogs. The starter earned the win in a complete game effort. The right-hander surrendered one run on just four hits. He walked one batter and struck out ten RailCats.
The RailCats grabbed the first lead of the game in the fourth inning. Reggie Wilson led off the frame with his second double of the game. He moved to third on a Tony Cheky sacrifice bunt to bring up RBI-leader Frank Martinez. The star switch hitter came through with a ground ball to the right side that put the RailCats ahead 1-0.
Gary SouthShore squandered a two-on, two-out situation in the top of the seventh inning before the Saltdogs came up to bat. Curt Smith drew a walk to start the bottom half of the inning and Luis Alen followed with a single. McGee was pulled and left-hander Moises Melendez came on in relief. The Venezuelan got Austin Gallagher to ground out but gave up a single to Cesar Valera that tied the game up.
The RailCats went in order in the eighth and ninth to let Lincoln have a chance for the walk-off in the bottom of the ninth. De Leon came on and retired the first two batters he faced before walking Luis Alen. Then, Austin Gallagher singled and Alen tried to advance to third base. Third baseman EJ Devarie tried to toss the ball to de Leon but the pitcher couldn't squeeze it to apply the tag and retire the runner. With runners on the corners and two down, Valera stepped up with a chance to be the hero. The second baseman delivered with a line drive single that gave the Saltdogs the 2-1 victory.
The loss was crucial, as the Saltdogs and the Sioux City X's extended their division lead to 2.5 games over the RailCats with 12 games left.
Wilson was the only RailCat with multiple hits and Jose Gonzalez and Alex Crosby were the only teammates who joined him with hits. The ninth inning error on the tag was the RailCats first error since their last loss, which was game one on August 16th. The contest was played in front of 2,793 at Haymarket Park.
The RailCats and Saltdogs square off in the second game of the series tomorrow at 11:00 AM. Coverage begins at 10:35 AM on railcatsbaseball.com. The broadcast will not be carried on 95.9 WEFM.
American Association Stories from August 23, 2016
- Blasters Drop Doubleheader Opener; Nightcap Suspended - Joplin Blasters
- Big Eighth Inning Lifts Canaries over Rival - Sioux Falls Canaries
- RailCats Lose on Walk-Off, End Winning Streak - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Afternoon Woes Continue, Saints Lose 11-1 to Wingnuts - St. Paul Saints
- Wingnuts Game Recap: Boshers, Wingnuts Cruise Past Saints - Wichita Wingnuts
- Canaries Trade David Bergin to St. Paul - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Saints Pull off Major Trade, Snag Power Hitter David Bergin from Sioux Falls - St. Paul Saints
- RedHawks Beat Goldeyes in Extras - Winnipeg Goldeyes
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