WINNIPEG, MB – The Winnipeg Goldeyes (13-24) matched a season-high in runs and scored five times in the ninth, however, it wasn’t enough as the Gary SouthShore RailCats (16-23) escaped with a 12-11 win on Friday at Shaw Park. The Goldeyes have dropped five straight games. The home losing streak has reached seven which they did in August of last year.

Box Score

The Goldeyes tried for a miracle comeback in the ninth inning but fell short when right fielder Tra Holmes struck out to end the game. It was Holmes who started the inning with a single which led to a two-run homer by left fielder Najee Gaskins (2). The Goldeyes had four hits in the ninth, two walks, plus a three-base Gary SouthShore error and a wild pitch. The Goldeyes twice kept the game going on a full-count with two outs on a two-run single by third baseman Dayson Croes, and a single by shortstop Keith Torres.  The hit by Torres was headed down the left field line but Gary SouthShore third baseman Tyler Reis saved the day by getting a glove on the ball and keeping it within the infield. That more than likely would have tied the game.

For the second straight night, Winnipeg jumped on the board with a first inning homer. Catcher Hidekel Gonzalez (6) belted a two-run clout to left field which made it 2-0 Goldeyes. It was his first homer since May 27th. Aside from Gaskins, and Gonzalez, the other Winnipeg homer was a solo hit by center fielder Javeyan Williams (2).

Gary SouthShore, who snapped a three-game losing streak had a season-high 17 hits. Every RailCat in the lineup had at least a hit. The RailCats had three three-run innings (third, fourth, and eighth). In the third, Gary SouthShore sent eight to the plate with the big hit–a two-run two-out single by first baseman Jose Contreras. The big hit in the fourth was a two-out two-run double by center fielder by Jesus Marriaga. Contreras (1, 2) would add his first two homers in a Gary SouthShore uniform going deep in the seventh and eighth innings. In the eighth, Contreras’ went back-to-back with right fielder LG Castillo (2) who had a two-run homer. Contreras and Marriaga each had four RBI’s.

Eleven-of-the-12 RailCats runs came with two out. Through the first four games of this homestand, the Goldeyes have allowed 17 two-out runs.

The winning pitcher was Chris Erwin (3-4). The RailCats lefty allowed three runs (all earned) in six innings. He issued four hits, and struck out four. DJ Wilkinson (5) went 2/3 of an inning and earned the save despite giving up two hits.

RJ Martinez (3-2) was the losing pitcher. The Winnipeg left-hander surrendered ten hits in four innings. He allowed seven runs (all earned), walked three and struck out four.

GOLDEYES SCALES

For his third straight outing Winnipeg reliever Chas Cywin allowed a seventh inning homer

Croes’ league leading batting average is at .377 and has 55 hits which is also tops in the American Association. He’s struck out 12 times this year in 163 plate appearances

Reliever Brent Burgess after a scoreless debut on Tuesday allowed the back-to-back homers in the eighth

The Goldeyes have dropped three straight one-run games and are now 4-8 in that department