Price Jr.’s 2-out, 2-run 8th inning single leads Gary to 2-1 victory & fourth straight win

Price Jr.’s 2-out, 2-run 8th inning single leads Gary to 2-1 victory & fourth straight win

GARY, IND. — The Gary SouthShore RailCats opened their nine-game, 10-day homestand with a 2-1 come-from- behind win over the Winnipeg Goldeyes on Tuesday night at U.S. Steel Yard with 3,639 in attendance. Tuesday’s win was Gary’s second straight comeback win and their season-high-tying fourth consecutive victory.

Trailing 1-0 entering the bottom of the eighth, Andy De Jesus pulled a single through the left side of the infield to begin the inning. Daniel Gardner, who signed his first American Association with Gary (28-40) before the game, then dropped a sacrifice bunt right back to Goldeyes starter Kevin McGovern, however, McGovern’s throw took Alex Perez off the bag at first, allowing both De Jesus and Gardner to reach safely. Goldeyes Manager Rick Forney then replaced McGovern with Cameron McVey on the mound to face Marcus Mooney. Mooney followed with the second straight sacrifice bunt, moving both De Jesus and Gardner into scoring position. Forney then grabbed left-handed reliever Justin Kamplain. Kamplain struck out Alex Crosby for the second out of the inning before walking Randy Santiesteban. Ahead of John Price Jr. 0-2 in the count, Price Jr. rolled a breaking ball through the left side of the infield, plating both De Jesus and Gardner for the game-winning runs.

Ryan Thurston (2) recorded his second save in as many nights with a scoreless top of the ninth. The southpaw yielded one hit and struck out Perez looking to end the game.

Andrew Cartier (1-0), who also signed his first American Association contract before the game, struck out one of the two batters he faced in 0.1 innings pitched in the victory. Trevor Lubking recorded his team-leading 10th quality start in a no-decision. The southpaw yielded just an unearned run on four hits and two walks while striking out eight over 7.2 innings.

McGovern (9-5) was tagged with the loss after allowing two unearned runs in 7+ innings. The left-hander allowed three hits and three walks while striking out seven.

Winnipeg (38-28) took the opening lead of the series with an unearned run in the first. Tyler Hill, the reigning American Association Player of the Week, singled to center to begin the game before stealing second. Carlos Garcia followed Hill with a fly out to center, just deep enough to move Hill up to third. Two batters later, Kyle Martin drew a two-out walk, giving the Goldeyes runners on the corners. With Dominic Ficociello batting, Trevor Lubking lobbed a pickoff throw to Crosby at first, however, Lubking’s throw one-hopped past Crosby in the dirt, allowing Hill to score from third.

Gary and Winnipeg continue their three-game series on Wednesday afternoon at 12:10 p.m. RailCats’ right-hander (4-4, 3.05) opposes Goldeyes’ right-hander Joel Seddon (2-3, 6.35) in the middle game of the series.

Wednesday’s game is Youth & Senior Day, presented by AARP Indiana, and another Creekside “Pop-Up Bar Wednesday”, celebrating Legends of the Hidden Temple, and NorthShore Health Centers Wednesday. Visit any Northwest Indiana NorthShore Health Center for complimentary tickets to a RailCats game.

Ticket packages for the 2019 Gary SouthShore RailCats season are available online at railcatsbaseball.com and can also be purchased by calling the RailCats ticket line at (219) 882-BALL. The RailCats box office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.