RailCats Take Series in Front of Sellout Crowd
Published on August 27, 2011 under American Association (AA)
Gary SouthShore Railcats News Release
GARY, Ind. - A sellout crowd of 6,016 witnessed the Gary SouthShore RailCats claim a 3-1 series victory over the Lincoln Saltdogs with a 12-1 win on Nerd Night at U. S. Steel Yard featuring world-renowned entertainer Myron Noodleman's first visit to Northwest Indiana.
The largest crowd of the year cheered on the 'Cats to a complete team victory as the RailCats improved to 53-43 on the year and 31-15 at U. S. Steel Yard. It's a three-way tie between the 'Cats, Wichita Wingnuts and St. Paul Saints with just four games to play in the American Association regular season. The RailCats remain even with the Wingnuts for the Central Division lead following Wichita's 6-4 win over the Amarillo Sox Friday but gained ground in the Wild Card race, as the RailCats are now tied with the Saints, who fell 2-0 at the hands of the Sioux City Explorers in St. Paul.
RHP Scott Shaw earned his team-best 11th win of the season after stifling the Saltdogs (49-45) offense Friday. Over his six innings pitched, the University of Illinois alum surrendered just one run on six hits and added four strikeouts while walking one. Lincoln could only muster the one run in the contest thanks to the bullpen combination of Will Krout, who allowed just two hits over his two scoreless innings of relief, and Andy Shipman, who struck out two and retired the side in order in the ninth.
It was the third consecutive explosive night for a RailCats offense, which tallied 12 runs on 15 hits at U. S. Steel Yard on Fireworks Friday, presented by First Midwest Bank and the Post-Tribune. Mike Rohde had three hits and added to his single-season club record with his 31st double in the sixth inning. With his fourth consecutive multi-hit game, Mike Massaro collected another three hits in the contest and picked up his franchise record 134th hit while scoring twice and driving in a pair as well. In addition, Cristian Guerrero and Rico Washington each picked up their 80th RBI of the season. Washington now has drawn seven walks in the last three games and extended his streak of games with at least one walk to eight.
The RailCats loaded the bases after three straight singles to start the game but managed to plate just one run when Adam Klein scored on a double play turned by the Saltdogs. That's all the 'Cats would get as Washington grounded out to second to end the threat with the RailCats up 1-0. Lincoln evened the score in the fourth on a Rafael Alvarez RBI-single.
While the RailCats let Lincoln starter Jino Gonzalez off the hook in the first, the home team erupted for four runs in the fifth. Gonzalez, who entered tonight's contest with a 6-0 record and 1.31 ERA, took his first loss of the season in a Saltdogs uniform after allowing five runs on eight hits in six innings of work. Left fielder Toddric Johnson singled and advanced to second on a Klein sacrifice bunt, with Klein reaching on an error to put runners on first and second with nobody out. Massaro singled to knock in Johnson, and Boyer blasted a triple to right center to send Klein and Massaro to the plate and give the 'Cats a 4-1 advantage. Boyer made it a 5-1 RailCats lead when the second baseman crossed the plate on a wild pitch.
The score remained 5-1 until the RailCats added a little late insurance scoring seven times in the eighth to go up 12-1. Washington led off with a walk and scored a batter later on a Kyle Haines double. After a Rohde infield single, catcher Mike Valadez brought home Haines on a fielder's choice. Klein singled to knock in Rohde and a Massaro double allowed Valadez to score. Chris Carrara, who replaced Boyer after an apparent injury in the top of the inning, singled to drive in Ryne Reynoso, who pinch ran for Klein. RBI-singles by Guerrero and Washington rounded out the scoring for the home team in the frame.
American Association Stories from August 27, 2011
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- Schumacher Tosses Two Hit Shutout As X's Beat Saints - Sioux City Explorers
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