RailCats Stun Goldeyes
June 23, 2015 - American Association (AA)
Winnipeg Goldeyes News Release
Despite two home runs by Josh Mazzola and 15 hits overall, the Winnipeg Goldeyes couldn't keep a grip on a 6-2 lead.
The Gary SouthShore RailCats scored four runs in the sixth inning - all of them after there were two out and a man on second - and then added two more in the seventh and one in the ninth as the visiting RailCats beat the Goldeyes 9-7.
Thanks to another heartbreaking defeat, the Fish lost their second straight game, fell to 12-17 on the season and lost the first game of this three-game series with Gary.
"That was a tough one," said a disappointed Goldeyes manager Rick Forney. "The guys really came out swinging the bats well, but once again we didn't get the starting pitching we needed. We're taxing our bullpen and they've been very good for us this year, but if you keep throwing them out there as often as we've had to, they will eventually fail.
"We gave up six runs with two outs tonight. That's just not good enough. We need one of our starters, someone other than Nick (Hernandez) to give us six or seven strong innings. We have to get this thing turned around. We're starting to run out of time."
The Goldeyes got off to a great start with three runs in the bottom of the second. Mazzola led off with a single, then Nic Jackson singled, Luis Alen bunted the runners to second and third and then Brad Boyer drove home Mazzola with a sacrifice fly. Ramon Ortega beat out an infield hit to put runners on the corners and then Brady Wilson drove home Jackson with a single. Adam Heisler doubled home Ortega before Casey Haerther grounded out to end the inning.
After Gary put up two in the top of the third, the Goldeyes answered with three more in the bottom half of the inning as Jon Weber led off with a single and scored on Mazzola's first home run of the night, a two-run smash to right-centre field. Jackson then doubled went to third on a single by Luis Alen and scored on a single by Brad Boyer.
But even with the Goldeyes ahead 6-2, the RailCats were never out of it. They manufactured four in the sixth after two were out and then went ahead to stay with two more in the seventh.
Mazzola hit a solo shot in the bottom of the seventh, but with a run in the ninth, Gary put it away.
Mazzola's final line was three-for-four with a walk, two homers, a stolen base, three runs scored and three driven in.
Gary finished with nine runs on 15 hits while the Goldeyes had seven runs on 15 hits.
Gary reliever Chuck Fontana (2-1, 1.53 ERA) got the win, while Goldeyes reliever Mark Pope (0-1, 3.86 ERA) was tagged with the hard-luck loss. Andy Loomis (0.68 ERA) earned his eighth save of the season for the RailCats.
On Tuesday night, it's the second game of this three-game series between the Goldeyes and RailCats. Game time is 7:05 p.m. It's also Ace Walker Night as the Goldeyes celebrate the career of pitcher Ace Walker and retire his No. 31 jersey.
Tickets all Goldeyes games in 2015 are available through Ticketmaster by clicking on Goldeyes.com, calling 1-855-GOLDEYE or visiting any Ticketmaster location, including the Shaw Park box office.
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American Association Stories from June 23, 2015
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