by Ryan Zimmerman, Gary SouthShore RailCats

Winnipeg, MB – A collection of five Winnipeg Goldeyes managed to cool off the surging Gary SouthShore RailCats offense as they shut them out 4-0 to close out the four-game series.

In his return from the Injured List, John Sheaks dazzled in a four-inning start.  He kept the Goldeyes off the scoreboard.  He allowed just three hits and one walk, stranding three runners on base while picking another off to conclude the first.

However, the Winnipeg offense got going once the ‘Cats turned to the bullpen in the bottom of the fifth.  Reggie Pruitt, Jr. got hit by a pitch and immediately stole second before a groundout advanced him to third base.  A walk to Hidekel Gonzalez placed runners on the corners for an Eric Rivera sacrifice fly to plate the game’s first run.

On that play, though, RailCats debutant catcher Thomas Greely alertly fired to second base to catch Gonzalez trying to move up after Pruitt, Jr. tagged up to hold the Goldeyes to just a single tally.

For the next two frames, Yeison Medina displayed his best stuff to keep the Winnipeg lead at one.  He permitted just one hit while striking out three in his longest outing since arriving on the South Shore.

Once he departed in the bottom of the eighth, the Goldeyes lineup sprung back to life.  Two singles and a walk loaded the bases with two outs for David Washington, and he took full advantage as he delivered a two-run single to center field.  Logan Hill followed up one batter later as his double brought home another run to extend their advantage to four runs.

That was more than enough for former RailCat Tasker Strobel in the top of the ninth as he secured the final three outs to ensure a Winnipeg victory.

The RailCats return to The Steel Yard on Tuesday at 6:45 p.m. as they begin a three-game series against the Cleburne Railroaders.  All the action will be streamed on aabaseball.tv, 95.9 WEFM, and the Gary SouthShore RailCats Broadcast Network through the Mixlr app.

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