MOUNTAIN TOO HIGH TO CLIMB AS ‘ROADERS FALL BEHIND EARLY
CLEBURNE, TEXAS (July 29, 2022) – It was the explosive fifth inning that carried the RailCats in their 10-7 victory over the Railroaders on Friday night from The Depot at Cleburne Station.
The Railroaders struck first, a usual sign that they will come away with a win. Eddie Hernandez hit a deep fly ball to center field that scored Hill Alexander on a sacrifice fly.
Cleburne starter Michael Wong started off the game in electric fashion, retiring the first six batters he faced. He got into some trouble in the top of the third when Gary put three across and on top 3-1.
They padded onto that total in the fourth when another run came across.
It was then the fifth inning that ultimately did the ‘Roaders in as five came across in the frame, ending Wong’s night.
As usual, however, the Railroaders weren’t going to go out that easily. Two straight singles by Edwin Arroyo and Chuck Taylor put two aboard for Zach Nehrir who doubled to score both runners. Chase Simpson then singled home Nehrir and all of a sudden, the Railroaders were back in the game. Kacy Clemens got a single of his own to put runners on first and second which then brought Hector Sanchez to the plate, where he lined a single into left field to score both Clemens and Simpson to make the score 9-6.
Cleburne had a big opportunity to strike in the next frame, as they loaded the bases for Clemens who came to the plate with two away. He was unable to take advantage, however, as he grounded out to first to strand the bases loaded.
It wasn’t until the top of the seventh that either team put another run on the scoreboard. Landon Holifield made his return out of the bullpen in the inning after a couple of months on the Inactive List due to an arm injury. He allowed one run in his return, a run that gave the RailCats some much-needed insurance at 10-6.
Going into the bottom of the ninth, Yeison Medina came on to pitch for Gary SouthShore in an attempt to shut the door on the Railroaders. He retired Clemens to lead off the inning before facing Alexander, who blasted a home run over the scoreboard in left field to edge Cleburne a bit closer at 10-7. It would not be enough, however, as Medina was able to get the next two batters to end the ballgame and get the RailCats their second win of the six-game series.
The loss was given to Wong, who went 4.2 innings and allowed nine runs (eight earned), on eight hits with one walk and three strikeouts.
RailCats’ starter John Sheaks got the win putting his record at 3-5. He allowed six runs on 11 hits but did not walk anybody and punched out four batters.
The Railroaders continue the series tomorrow with game five against the Gary SouthShore RailCats at 7:06 p.m., with pregame coverage beginning at 6:45 p.m. on AABaseball.tv and on the Railroader Radio Network.