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Tim Alberts hit a triple and scored in each the seventh and ninth innings as the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks (32-22) padded its lead late on their way to a 4-1 victory over the Gary SouthShore RailCats (32-21) at U.S. Steel Yard on Saturday night. 

Alberts lead off the 7th with a stand up triple off the left field wall. Ronnie Bourquin followed with an RBI single up the middle past a drawn-in infield to give Fargo a 3-1 lead at the time. 

The same combination of Alberts and Bourquin scored an important insurance run in the top of the ninth. 

The RedHawks bullpen continued their terrific series with three and a third scoreless innings. Joe Harris retired the RailCats in order in the seventh and eighth innings. 

In the bottom of the ninth, the RailCats loaded the bases with two out against reliever Danny Gutierrez. However, Mike Massaro was unable to come through as he grounded out to the first baseman to end the game. 

The loss spoiled a quality performance by Alain Quijano who threw eight and two third innings, allowing four runs on 10 hits and just one walk. The American Association leader in wins suffered his third loss of the season. 

Zach Penprase lead off the first with a single then moved to second on a wild pitch. Nic Jackson moved Penprase to third on a fly ball to center and then came home on a C.J. Retherford’s RBI double to deep left field. 

In the bottom of the third, the RailCats tied it with a double from Mike Massaro. Adam Klein walked with one out against RedHawks starter Brian Ernst and scored from first on Massaro’s drive into right-center. 

In Fargo’s next at-bat, the top of the fourth, RailCats manager Greg Tagert was ejected from the game for arguing whether Keith Brachold’s double down the first-base line was a fair or foul ball. Alain Quijano worked out of the two-on, one-out jam by retiring Tim Alberts and Ronnie Bourquin. 

In the sixth inning, Nic Jackson continued his hot series with a one-out double. Jackson moved to third on a wild pitch then scored on CJ Retherford’s fly ball to right to take a 2-1 lead for Fargo. 

In the first three games of the series, Jackson, is 7-for-11 with four runs scored, two walks and a hit by pitch. 

RedHawks starter Brian Ernst lasted five and two third innings. He allowed three hits, four walks and one run. Ernst picked up his third victory of the season. 

Mike Massaro recorded his team-high 23rd multi-hit game of the season with a two hit night.