A career-high six scoreless innings from Seth Hougesen and a two-out, two-run double from Marcus Mooney led the RailCats to a 2-1 series-opening win over the Milwaukee Milkmen on a cool Thursday night at U.S. Steel Yard. Following Thursday’s victory, the ‘Cats are 9-2 head-to-head against Milwaukee.
Gary (34-49) took the opening lead of the series with their only runs in the fourth. Back-to-back one-out singles from Danny De La Calle and Andy De Jesus gave the ‘Cats runners on first and second. Two hitters later, Mooney delivered a two-run double off the left field wall, plating both De La Calle and De Jesus.
Milwaukee (32-50) got their only run in the seventh. Jose Rosario walked with one out before moving up to third on a single to left-center off the bat of Glen McClain. Sam Dexter followed McClain with an RBI double to right-center, giving Milwaukee their only run. The Milkmen put the tying run on third base in eighth and ninth, however, Sandy Lugo prevented Milwaukee from scoring the game-tying run with 1.2 scoreless innings of relief to close out the game.
Hougesen (3-2) yielded five singles, walked none, matched a career high with five strikeouts and never allowed a baserunner to reach past second base in his second start against the Milkmen. Darin May (2) recorded a hold after allowing a run on two hits and a walk over 1.2 innings out of the bullpen while Lugo (7) secured the win with the the save.
Former Cleveland Indian T.J. House (7-8) was charged with loss in his first career start against the RailCats. The southpaw went 5.2 innings, allowing two runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out two.
Gary continues its six-game homestand on Friday night at 7:10 p.m. vs. Milwaukee. RailCats’ right-hander Nile Ball (1-0, 5.70) against Milkmen right-hander Jordan Kraus (5-4, 3.89) in the middle game of the series.
Friday’s game is another Fifth Bank Fireworks Friday and is also Strike out Stroke, presented by Methodist Hospitals, and Star Wars Night, featuring the 501st Legion Northern Darkness Garrison.
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.