The Quebec Capitales rebounded from a tough loss the night before to the Gary Southshore RailCats, scoring two runs late to win 3-2. The win was an especially satisfying one after the Quebec bullpen failed to hold two leads late in the game the previous night. This time the bullpen played a pivotal role in the club’s win.

Just as in the previous night, this was another classic pitcher’s duel between the two starters. Travis McGee started for Gary, while the Capitales sent Ismel Jimenez to the hill. Through the first four innings neither team could muster any sort of offense.

Through the first four innings McGee retired 12 of the 14 hitters he faced, only allowing two walks. Jimenez retired 11 of the first 13 hitters he faced, getting a double-play ball to wipe out a runner in the third and stranding Jon Jones at first in the fourth.

In the fifth Quebec would finally score off of McGee. Kalian Sams ripped a triple to the wall to begin the inning and two batters later Ty Young’s sacrifice fly scored Sams making it 1-0.

Jimenez continued his dominance as well, retiring the RailCats in order in the fifth. He was done after 5 innings pitched. hE allowed 3 hits, no walks and no runs. He struck out 4. More importantly, he left with a 1-o lead, something his bullpen could not hold for him.

McGee would come out again in the sixth, but after giving up a double and single that put runners at the corners with no one out, the team had seen enough. McGee had pitched well, throwing 75 pitches, 47 of which were strikes. The right-hander allowed just 3 hits and 2 walks in 5 innings of work. He also struck out 2.

He left with two runners on base, but A.J. Quintero did an amazing job of getting out of the inning. Alexei Bell hit a fly ball to Adam Taylor in left. Taylor made the catch, then threw a laser home to nail Jonathan Malo to keep the score at 1-0. Tim Smith struck out and the Quebec Capitales came away with nothing.

In the bottom of the sixth Shaun Ellis took over for Jimenez and Gary Southshore put together a two out rally that put them on top. The rally got started when Ellis walked Jon Jones and Zac Mitchell to put runners at first and second. Drew Martinez came to the plate and took a 2-2 pitch from Ellis and lined it into the alley in left field bringing both runs home.

The RailCats had the lead for the first time in the game but they would not have it for long. Quintero remained in the game for the seventh inning. He retired the first batter then gave up back-to-back singles to Sams and Jean-Luc Blaquiere before striking out Tyler Young. Yunieski Gurriel followed Young, and after Quintero threw a wild pitch, he singled bringing home both runners and restoring the Quebec Capitales one-run lead.

In the ninth the Quebec Capitales turned to Deryk Hooker to close out the game. The right-hander gave up a single to Drew Martinez to begin the inning, but then got J.D. Pulfer to fly out. Martinez was caught trying to steal and Taylor reached on an error. Hooker remained cool however, getting Lind to fly out to end the game.

Ellis (1-0) earned the victory for the Quebec Capitales. Hooker earned his first save. Quintero (0-1) took the loss. Sams had three hits and two runs scored for the Capitales.

Boxscore Provided by the American Association

By Robert Pannier