MILWAUKEE, Wis.- Despite RailCats’ starter Trevor Lubking’s second complete game of the season in the Gary SouthShore RailCats’ pitching performance of the year, the visiting RailCats fell in Milwaukee in the best pitcher’s duel of the American Association’s 2021 season.
Milwaukee Milkmen (33-20) starter Myles Smith threw a complete game, two-hit shutout to beat the Gary SouthShore RailCats (23-30) 1-0 in game one of a three-game slate on Friday at Franklin Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Lubking and Smith each allowed just two hits apiece as Smith tossed nine scoreless and Lubking went eight innings with no earned runs. Smith had 10 strikeouts while Lubking fanned six in his fourth straight quality start.
The sole run of the game scored in the third inning after Lubking issued a leadoff walk to Tony Roselli. The DH would steal second base and advance to third on a throwing error by RailCats shortstop Jose Mercado.
On a ground ball fielder’s choice by the second baseman, the Milkmen would score the only run of the game for either team.
Down 1-0 in the fifth, Zach Welz laced a one-out triple down the right-field line to break up Smith’s no-hitter, but the ‘Cats couldn’t keep the bats rolling as they stranded runners at the corners in their closest push for a run of the game.
Lubking threw a no-hitter into the sixth that was broken up by a Brett Vertigan single, the first of two hits recorded by the Milkmen.
Game two between the Gary SouthShore RailCats and the Milwaukee Milkmen is scheduled for tomorrow, July 16 at 6 p.m. at Franklin Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.