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AA Gary SouthShore Railcats

RailCats Take Series Behind Offensive Outpouring

July 27, 2011 - American Association (AA)
Gary SouthShore Railcats News Release


GARY, Ind. - The Gary SouthShore RailCats pounded out 16 hits en route to a 8-6 come-from-behind victory Wednesday evening at U. S. Steel Yard to claim the three-game series from the Sioux Falls Pheasants.

The RailCats (43-27) scored runs in every inning except two and got hits from eight of the nine batters in the lineup to claim the 23rd win at U. S. Steel Yard during the 'Cats Tenth Anniversary Season. It was a very eventful night featuring exciting plays from both teams in a back-and-forth affair. The Pheasants (32-38) took the lead early and the RailCats answered to go out in front, only to see the Pheasants tie the game late before the 'Cats eventually took control for good. With the win, the 'Cats remain in first place in the Central Division of the American Association with a four-game lead over the Wichita Wingnuts.

Cristian Guerrero's single in the second inning gave the Dominican slugger 15 consecutive games with at least one hit and tied teammate Brad Boyer for the club's longest hitting streak of the season. The base knock was the first of three on the night for Guerrero who also scored three times and raised his average to a lofty .338 on the season. Catcher Craig Maddox joined the RailCats right fielder with three hits on the night and contributed a triple and three RBI of his own. Four other RailCats had multi-hit games and a run scored including Mike Massaro, Toddric Johnson, Kyle Haines and Mike Rohde. Rohde also went deep belting his fifth homer of the season in the seventh inning to provide a late insurance run for the RailCats.

The scoreboard read 3-0 before the home fans could settle into their seats at U. S. Steel Yard. Reggie Abercrombie connected on a two-run homer to left in the first and shortstop Joe Anthonsen crossed the plate on a sacrifice fly in the second. However, the RailCats proved to be up to the challenge answering with a pair of runs in the home half of the second. After singles by Guerrero and Johnson, both came home to score on a Maddox single to cut the score to 3-2.

The score remained 3-2 for all of two batters as Abercrombie smacked his second homer of the game to lead off the third and give the Pheasants a 4-2 advantage. Yet again, the RailCats were up to the task as Guerrero doubled with two outs and Johnson singled to right to make it a 4-3 ballgame. The 'Cats got a leadoff triple from Maddox in the fourth and an RBI-single from Adam Klein to even the game at four runs apiece.

The RailCats first lead of the night came in the fifth when a single by Rohde drove in Guerrero, and Johnson came around to score when the throw from the Pheasants centerfielder sailed all the way to the backstop. The lead was short-lived though as Sioux Falls scored twice in the sixth. Gus Milner scored on a sacrifice fly and Anthonsen evened the score with an RBI groundout.

Before the Rohde homer in the seventh provided the final margin of victory, the RailCats took the lead for good in the bottom of the sixth. Massaro reached on an error by Anthenson at short and scored on a Guerrero single.

The 'Cats bullpen combined to shut down the Pheasants over the final 3.2 innings of the contest to preserve the win. RailCats reliever Brian Grening (5-1, 3.59) earned the win for the 'Cats after allowing just a hit and a walk over 1.1 scoreless. Closer Travis Minix slammed the door in the ninth to record his fifth save of the season. The RailCats newest acquisition, LHP Thomas Nelson, threw one pitch and recorded an out while fellow lefty Jeremy Hauer threw a scoreless and hitless inning to help the cause.

University of Illinois alum Scott Shaw got the start for the RailCats and did not factor in the decision yielding six runs (five earned) on seven hits over 5.1 innings. The Gurnee, Ill. native also struck out three and walked four in his first outing since the seventh of June where the righty did not last at least six innings.

The RailCats travel to Sioux Falls Friday, July 29 for three games in Sioux City before making another trek up to Winnipeg to face the Goldeyes, who remain tied with the 'Cats for the second best record in the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball. RHP Ryne Reynoso of the RailCats is scheduled to face LHP Richard Salazar (5-4, 4.70) for Sioux City Friday at 7:05. Listen to the voice of the RailCats, Tim Calderwood, call every inning of action on 89.1 FM The Lakeshore or by visiting www.thelakeshorefm.com.

TRANSACTION NEWS: Prior to today's game the RailCats signed LHP Thomas Nelson and placed RHP Jack Frawley on the disabled list retroactive to Monday, July 25. Before joining the 'Cats, Nelson appeared in four games in 2011 with the Roswell Invaders of the Pecos League of Professional Baseball Clubs, a six-team professional league in southeast New Mexico. In 2.2 innings, the southpaw allowed just one run on two hits while striking out two and walking six.

The RailCats return to beautiful U. S. Steel Yard for a jam-packed brief there-game set against the Kansas City T-Bones starting Friday, August 5 at 7:10 p.m. Join the RailCats for Fireworks Friday presented by First Midwest Bank and the Post-Tribune on Greek Night at U. S. Steel Yard. All Greek organizations including but not limited to fraternities and sororities receive a special group discount so call the 'Cats today at 219.882.2255 to book your group outing today, and for more information on everything RailCats Baseball, be sure to visit www.railcatsbaseball.com!

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