GARY, IN – The Winnipeg Goldeyes (34-27) beat the Gary SouthShore RailCats 9-4 at US Steel Yard on Saturday evening.

Box Score

The RailCats (24-38) jumped out to a 3-0 lead with three two-out runs in the bottom of the first inning.  Jesus Marriaga and Victor Nova hit back-to-back RBI doubles.  Nova later scored on a delayed double steal of home and second base.

Winnipeg immediately cracked into the deficit with two runs in the top of the second.  Max Murphy opened the inning with a home run to right-centre field.  David Washington walked and advanced to third when Reggie Pruitt Jr.’s infield single resulted in an error by RailCats’ starter John Sheaks.  Justin Thompson hit a sacrifice fly to deep centre that scored Washington.

With two outs and no one on base in the top of the third, Raul Navarro laid down a bunt single along the third base line.  The single extended Navarro’s hitting streak to 14 games.  Murphy followed with a double to left-centre that scored Navarro with the tying run.

The Goldeyes took a 4-3 lead in the top of the fourth.  Logan Hill walked leading off, took second on a Justin Thompson single to left-centre, and scored when Deon Stafford Jr. lined a single to centre.

Winnipeg scored in a fourth consecutive inning in the top of the fifth.  Ian Sagdal singled to left-centre leading off and stole second for his first steal of the season.  Washington then made it 6-3 with a two-out, two-run home run to left as a right-handed batter.  It was Washington’s second right-handed home run in the last five games.

Michael Woodworth’s RBI double in the bottom of the seventh pulled the RailCats within 6-4.  The RailCats went on to load the bases with two outs before Travis Seabrooke retired Victor Nova on a foul popup to end the inning.

The Goldeyes pushed their lead to 9-4 in the top of the ninth when Murphy hit a two-out, three-run home run to right-centre.

Jhon Vargas (3-0) picked up the win in relief with two scoreless innings.

RailCats’ starter John Sheaks (2-5) took the loss, allowing four runs, three earned, on seven hits in four innings.  Sheaks walked and struck out two.

Alex Hart started for the Goldeyes in his professional debut and took a no-decision, allowing three earned runs on four hits in four innings.  Hart walked one, struck out one, and retired the final seven batters to face him.  Seven of Hart’s 12 outs recorded came on popouts.

The series concludes Sunday afternoon at 2:05 p.m.  All the action can be heard locally on CJNU 93.7 FM and worldwide at www.cjnu.ca

The Goldeyes return home Tuesday, July 26^th when they host the Chicago Dogs at Shaw Park.

For information on Winnipeg Goldeyes’ 2022 season tickets, individual tickets, group outings, and 10-game mini packs, visit the Goldeyes’ official website at www.goldeyes.com

-Goldeyes-