The Gary SouthShore RailCats (29-43) fell to the Lincoln Saltdogs (38-33) by a score of 8-3 thanks to a trio of multi-run Saltdog innings in the series opener at the Steel Yard in Gary, Indiana.
Lincoln hopped out to an early 2-0 lead in the second inning, highlighted by back-to-back base hits by Zak Taylor and Garret Buhner. Earlier in the inning, Yanio Perez reached base on an error which proved to be costly, as Perez scored on Buhner’s left field base hit.
The Saltdogs added to their lead in the fourth via a pair of extra base hits, including a mammoth no-doubter by Ryan Long to right field. The dinger, Long’s fifteenth of the year, put Lincoln up 5-0.
Later in the inning, the RailCats started to claw back and attempt a comeback, as outfielder M.J. Rookard stole second base and later scored on shortstop Tom Walraven’s double to center field. Walraven’s double marked the only hit and RBI of the day, finishing 1-for-4.
Gary SouthShore added runs on back-to-back innings, both in the sixth and seventh. In the sixth, outfielder Raymond Jones blasted an RBI triple to right field scoring outfielder Billy Cooke. In the seventh, infielder Ryan Cash raced home on a passed ball that got behind the catcher. Along with his triple, Jones finished 2-for-4. Cash also picked up a base hit during the day, ending 1-for-4.
The ‘Cats comeback was cut short by Saltdogs career home run leader Curt Smith with a three-run eighth inning. Smith’s double rocketed off the bat and scored two of the three runs in the contest.
Gary SouthShore scored no more from that point on, and the game ended 8-3.
Josh Vincent took the loss for six innings of work, surrendering ten hits and four earned runs.
On the Saltdogs’ side, first reliever Jake Hohensee received the win for 2.2 innings of one-run baseball. Josh Norwood’s three frames hurled was good for the save in tonight’s contest.
After Lincoln took the series opener, the Gary SouthShore RailCats and Lincoln Saltdogs will do it again for the second game tomorrow, Saturday, August 7 at 4:10 p.m. at the Steel Yard in Gary, Indiana.