It was a rubber match at the Steel Yard between the Gary SouthShore RailCats and the Sioux City Explorers, and it did not disappoint. Starting pitchers, Chris Erwin and Antonio Velez, could not contain the 27 combined hits and 21 combined runs that came together in this three and a half movie marathon to decide who would win the series
The RailCats struck first, tallying 2 runs in the bottom of the first and second innings, however their bats went cold from innings three and four, and the Explorers took their chance. They kept pace, scoring one run in the second, third, and fourth innings, but they broke things open in the sixth, thanks to a huge two homer from Scott Ota, his third of the series. All this offense led to Lamarr Rogers calling to his bullpen six different times
Miguel Sierra tried to slim the deficit by cracking a huge, 428 foot solo shot in the sixth inning that blasted the scoreboard in left field. The Explorers would pile on in the seventh and eighth innings, however, and they would hold their lead despite a late push from the ‘Cats in the eighth and ninth innings. The Explorers would win the game 12-9, and they would take the series at a score of two games to the ‘Cats’ one.
The ‘Cats are back in action tonight at 6:30 against the division foe, Kane County Cougars. The four game road trip will be followed up by a double-header at home against the Sioux Falls Canaries on Memorial Day.