RailCats Surge to Fiftieth Win in Slugfest
Published on August 16, 2011 under American Association (AA)
Gary SouthShore Railcats News Release
GARY, Ind. - The Gary SouthShore RailCats and Shreveport-Bossier Captains combined to slug 4 homers and 29 hits at normally pitcher-friendly U. S. Steel Yard as the RailCats, powered by a five-hit performance from Brad Boyer, claimed a 10-7 victory Tuesday.
Boyer's five hits, all singles, tied a franchise record for hits in a single game, but the RailCats second baseman got plenty of help from the rest of the âCats offense. Five RailCats hitters tallied two base knocks in the contest and seven of the nine had at least a one in the hit column Tuesday. Catcher Craig Maddox scored twice and drove in two with his opposite field blast in the second and Toddric Johnson added three RBI to the cause. The two âCats at the top of the order, Adam Klein and Mike Massaro, each scored twice after reaching twice and Cristian Guerrero added an RBI on two base hits of his own.
University of Illinois alum Scott Shaw was the beneficiary of the RailCats offensive surge, as the righty earned his tenth victory of the season despite surrendering six runs on ten hits, including three home runs, over six innings of work. Will Krout was solid over his two innings of relief as the side-armed righty allowed one run on two hits while striking out one and walking one. Travis Minix picked up his eighth save of the season after pitching a scoreless ninth for the second consecutive night.
Shreveport-Bossier used two-RBI singles in the top of the second to jump out to a 2-0 lead only to see the RailCats answer on Maddox's line drive home run to left center after a Mike Rohde single to tie the game. The score didn't remain tied for long as the RailCats threw up another two runs in the third. Boyer drove home Klein with his second single of the night and Johnson also singled a two batters later to drive in Boyer and put the âCats up 4-2.
A pair of home runs in the fourth by Shreveport gave the visitor's another brief lead. The score became 4-3 when Palmer Karr Jr. connected on a 0-1 pitch for his 12th homer of the year, and the Captains went in front 5-4 on a two-run shot by Andres Rodriguez. Yet again, the RailCats were up to the task plating three runs of their own in the home half of the frame. Maddox scored on a Chris Carrara RBI-groundout, Massaro crossed the plate on a Guerrero single and Boyer came home on a wild pitch to give the RailCats the lead again at 7-5.
A solo homer in the fifth by the Captains Mike Provencher cut the home team's advantage 7-6 before the RailCats exploded for another three-run inning in the bottom of the sixth. A Boyer line drive single to left knocked in Klein, and Massaro and Boyer gave the RailCats a pair of insurance runs when they both scored on a Johnson double off the leftfield wall to make it a 10-6 ballgame. The Captains cut the lead to 10-7 in the eighth but would come no closer as the RailCats grabbed a 3-2 advantage in the six-game series which began on Friday.
With the victory over Shreveport, the RailCats (50-38) extended their lead in the Central Division of the American Association to 2.5 games as the Wichita Wingnuts fell to the Kansas City T-Bones 3-2. The RailCats and Captains cap off the six-game series Wednesday with a repeat of Friday's matchup as the RailCats LHP Alain Quijano (4-2, 4.22) will square off yet again against the Captains RHP Robert Bono (0-2, 12.54).
NOTES: Prior to the game, the RailCats made a flurry of moves to prepare for the stretch run to the playoffs...The âCats acquired RHP Andy Shipman and LHP Trent Lare from the Kansas City T-Bones in exchange for RHP Brian Grening, RHP Chris Little and cash considerations. The RailCats also signed free agent relief pitcher Baron Short and placed LHP Carlos Rivas on the inactive list.
Kobayashi brings his unique set of eating skills to U. S. Steel Yard Wednesday evening to take on at least four lucky RailCats fans in a hamburger-eating contest! You won't want to be left hearing about this from a friend after the fact so call the âCats at 219.882.2255 or check out www.railcatsbaseball.com now to make sure you're able to witness all the burger eating fury at U. S. Steel Yard Wednesday!
American Association Stories from August 16, 2011
- RailCats Surge to Fiftieth Win in Slugfest - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- American Association Game Recaps - AA
- Lincoln Beats Pheasants in Series Opener - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Late Homer Sinks Wingnuts - Wichita Wingnuts
- RedHawks Soar over Explorers 14-5 - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
- Saints Lose Season High Fifth Straight, 4-3 to Goldeyes - St. Paul Saints
- Lincoln Lays Wood in Lopsided Win - Lincoln Saltdogs
- Three Homers Not Enough as Gary Tops Captains 10-7 - Shreveport-Bossier Captains
- Strong Arms Lead Fish to Win Over Saints - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Fasano Powers T-Bones Past Wichita with Eighth-Inning Blast - Kansas City Monarchs
- Fourth Time's the Charm for Mackey to Beat 'Hogs - Grand Prairie AirHogs
- Shipman Returns, RailCats Add Lare for Playoff Push - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Wingnuts Load up for Stretch Run - Wichita Wingnuts
- Project: "Strike Out Hunger" On-Deck with Second Leg of Campaign - Shreveport-Bossier Captains
- RailCats Falter in Longest Game of the Year - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Huge Comeback Goes for Naught at Fort Worth - Grand Prairie AirHogs
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