712.277.WINS (9467)

GARY SHUTS OUT THE EXPLORERS OFFENSE

Gary, IN - The RailCats held their home opener on a chilly night from US Steel Yard and coincidentally kept the Explorers bats cold as well in a 7-0 Gary victory. 

The RailCats jumped out to a quick lead in the first inning as seven straight men would reach base for Gary. Marcus Mooney began the rally with a one out single, followed by a double that chased him home by Randy Santiesteban. A walk followed before a run scoring double from Edgar Corcino making it 2-0. Wilfredo Gimenez jumped in on the action with an RBI single and another run would score on John Price Jr. reaching on a fielders choice making it 4-0 Gary in the first.

It was a rough debut for Explorers starting pitcher Taylor Jordan (0-1). The ace of the 2018 staff that lead the league in many pitching categories had a rude welcome to the 2019 season. He lasted four innings, allowing seven runs, six earned, on four hits, while striking out three and walking two. 

Jordan would cause his own problems in the second as with one out Marcus Mooney grounded one back to the mound but Jordan bobbled the grounder and his throw to first was too late to get Mooney who was safe. He would go first to third on a base hit by Santiesteban and would score on a sacrifice fly by Colin Willis making it 5-0 Gary. 

After a 1-2-3 third it seemed as though Jordan was settling down but he would hit Will Savage with a pitch to lead off the fourth which was followed by a triple from Andy DeJesus who then scored on another sacrifice fly to make it 7-0 Gary. 

On the other side Lars Liguori (1-1) who came into the game with a career ERA of 6.75 against the X’s in two starts made life tough for the Explorers offense. He went five shut out innings, allowing four hits while striking out four and walking two. 

The Explorers bullpen was a highlight for Sioux City. Anthony Bender, Carlos Sierra and Nathan Gercken combined to toss four innings of shut out baseball with six punch outs. And at one point retired twelve straight RailCat hitters.

The Explorers who have now lost four in a row since winning their opening night contest over Lincoln will look to get their second win of the season on Wednesday night as the X’s send opening night starter Jason Garcia up against Charlie DeLeon for Gary.