News

The Gary SouthShore RailCats moved into first place in the Central Division of the American Association with their fifth walk-off in the last eight at home following a 3-2 win over the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks Tuesday night after an Adam Klein RBI single in the tenth.

Despite mustering only four hits through nine innings against the Fargo pitching staff, the RailCats smacked three in the last frame to secure the win amassing win number 13 at U. S. Steel Yard in 2011. Mike Rohde got the rally started with a line drive single to left and catcher Mike Valadez followed suit to right. Chris Carrara was hit by a pitch to load the bases for Klein. The left fielder continued his hot hitting with a sharp liner up the middle off Casey Hoorelbeke to drive in Rohde and cue the celebration. After another three hits in tonight’s contest, Klein is 17-29 (.586) in his last five games.

The RailCats (21-17) improved to 7-2 in extra inning affairs and earned their tenth victory in the last eleven played at U. S. Steel Yard. By virtue of a Wichita Wingnuts loss to Fort Worth, the RailCats took their first-ever division lead in the American Association. Chris Chavez earned the victory for the ‘Cats after pitching a perfect tenth and improved to 3-0 on the year.

Cristian Guerrero got the RailCats on the board first driving in both Klein and Mike Massaro in the third with a single to center giving the ‘Cats an early 2-0 lead only to see Jesse Hoorelbeke cut the lead in half on a sacrifice fly in the fourth and tie the score with solo homer to left-center in the sixth. Fargo starter Oliver Odle held the red-hot RailCats offense to just three hits and two runs over his seven innings of work and the RedHawks bullpen was equally as impressive until the ‘Cats heroics in the ninth.

The ‘Cats pitching staff continued to thrive at the friendly-confines of U. S. Steel Yard. Starter Nolan Nicholson (2-4) had another strong outing in front of the home fans earning the no-decision after scattering seven hits over six innings and allowing just two runs while striking out five. Once again, the RailCats bullpen was up to the task. Another four scoreless innings for the combination of James Baker, Zeb Engle, Travis Minix and Chavez who gave up just two hits and struck out three.

The same two teams meet again Wednesday at U. S. Steel Yard with the RailCats LHP Alain Quijano (0-0, 3.60) taking on the RedHawks Zach Ward (3-3, 4.76) for a 7:10 first pitch.