RailCats Take Down Goldeyes 6-2, Claim Share of First Place
August 13, 2009 - Northern League (NL)
Gary SouthShore Railcats News Release
GARY, Ind. - Derell McCall allowed just five hits over eight stellar innings and Cristian Guerrero went 3-for-3 as the Gary SouthShore RailCats won the opener of a crucial four-game series 6-2 over the Winnipeg Goldeyes in front of 3,169 fans Thursday night at U. S. Steel Yard.
McCall (5-0) won for the fifth time in as many RailCats starts by shutting down one of the league's top offenses, limiting Winnipeg to four singles and a Josh Asanovich solo home run, and retiring the side in order in four of the first seven innings. McCall's start was his longest as a RailCat but took the right-hander only 95 pitches to complete, as he was efficient over 8.0 full frames by allowing just two walks and striking out two.
With the victory, the RailCats not only extended their franchise-record home winning streak to 12 games, they also jumped into a tie with the Goldeyes atop the Northern League standings. The RailCats and Goldeyes have ranked first and second in the league - in some order - every day since July 4 but the 'Cats claimed a share of the top spot Thursday for the first time since July 22. The win, coupled with a Schaumburg loss, also shrunk the RailCats "magic number" to clinch a fifth straight post-season berth to three.
The RailCats had multiple scoring chances early in the game but it was Winnipeg scoring first when Juan Diaz dropped a bloop single just beyond the reach of second baseman Eric McNamee in right to score Adam Frost from third with two out in the third.
After failing to convert a leadoff triple from Jordan Czarniecki in the bottom of the third inning, the 'Cats took the lead against starter Andrew Cruse with a two-run fourth. Jay Pecci opened the inning with a walk, went to second on a wild pitch and scored when Guerrero singled into right. One pitch later, Mike Rohde launched a triple over the head of centerfielder Cory Patton to score Guerrero and put the 'Cats ahead 2-1.
Asanovich's home run leading off the sixth inning tied the score and Cruse left after 5.2 innings, having allowed two runs despite seven RailCats hits and four walks. Through the first six innings, RailCats hitters were just 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position.
In the seventh, the RailCats played a little small ball to scrape the go-ahead run together. Mike Massaro doubled to lead off the inning - his league-leading 24th double of the year - and went third on McNamee's ground out. With one down, Pecci dumped a fly ball into medium-depth left that Massaro hustled home to beat with the eventual winning run.
The RailCats added some insurance in the eighth inning, starting by getting three straight runners aboard against Zach Baldwin. Guerrero walked to start it, went to second on a Rohde single and scored when Brett Wallace lined a base hit to right. Rohde would score on a Rob Marconi sacrifice fly and Wallace came in when Massaro dropped down a perfect drag bunt with two outs to reach first safely.
Guerrero continued a torrid recent stretch with his fourth multi-hit game in a row and extended his season-best hit streak to six games. Guerrero went 3-for-3 with a walk, RBI and two runs scored and now has a whopping 15 RBI over his last eight games. Massaro, McNamee and Rohde each added two hits as the 'Cats comfortably out-hit the Goldeyes 12-5 and collected four of the game's five extra-base hits.
Asanovich had the only two-hit day for Winnipeg, going 2-for-3. Andy Shipman came on in the ninth for the RailCats and retired the side in order to close out the win.
The RailCats (48-32) and Goldeyes (47-31) continue their big four-game series Friday night at 7 p.m. at the Steel Yard. It's a Fireworks Friday night presented by First Midwest Bank and The Post-Tribune. Tickets are available by calling 219.882.2255 or visiting www.railcatsbaseball.com.
The 'Cats will send right-hander Chris Jones (6-2, 3.60 ERA) to the bump Friday against former major league left-hander Bill Pulsipher (2-0, 0.75 ERA). The game, as always, will be broadcast live on 89.1 FM, The Lakeshore, and on the web at www.railcatsbaseball.com.
Notes: The win also guaranteed the RailCats a fifth straight season with a .500 or better record ... the RailCats are the first team in the Northern League to 48 wins ... the RailCats have not lost at U. S. Steel Yard in more than a month, dating back to July 13 against Kansas City ... the RailCats have won three of four games against Winnipeg at the Steel Yard, but the two teams played 13 times in Winnipeg where the Goldeyes won nine ... Rohde extended his on-base streak to 16 games with his two hits ... the outing was McCall's longest since September 2, 2007 with Jupiter (A) in the Florida Marlins organization.
Northern League Stories from August 13, 2009
- Fargo takes series with 10-4 win - Schaumburg Flyers
- RailCats Take Down Goldeyes 6-2, Claim Share of First Place - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Tickets Now on Sale for Second Annual RailCats Fan Fest - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- JackHammers to Give away $22,500 - Joliet JackHammers
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