by Ryan Zimmerman, Gary SouthShore RailCats

Rosemont, IL – The Gary SouthShore RailCats brought their power bats with them to the Chicago suburbs as they mashed their way to a 9-3 victory over the Chicago Dogs. 

Not only does the win secure their first-ever sweep against the Dogs at Impact Field, but the RailCats have also won four straight games, registered six consecutive road wins, and have swept their last two series away from home. 

Before the bats broke out, Harrison Francis was at his best to hold Chicago off the scoreboard.  He dealt with three runners in scoring position during the first two innings, but he refused to let the Dogs cash in.  Two groundouts in the first and two strikeouts in the second left all three runners on base and kept the game scoreless. 

The RailCats made sure to reward his efforts in the top of the third as they erupted for six runs, sending 10 batters to the box in the process.  

To lead off the inning, Sam Abbott crushed a home run to right field for his 13th of the season, surpassing former RailCats great Cristian Guerrero for the most in a single American Association season in franchise history. 

Jackson Smith followed up by reaching on an error before Nate Scantlin and Tom Walraven both singled to load the bases.  A Michael Woodworth sacrifice fly plated another run, and Daniel Lingua doubled to place the ‘Cats ahead by three.  Jesus Marriaga then provided a two-run single, and LG Castillo chased him home with a triple, giving Gary SouthShore a 6-0 advantage. 

Two innings later, the RailCats tacked on two more runs against the Chicago bullpen.  Victor Nova smacked a two-out, two-run home run, moving Gary SouthShore ahead 8-0. 

After Francis departed the ballgame following five shutout innings, the Dogs got their offense going in the bottom of the sixth.  A solo home run, double, and single led to two quick runs, bringing Chicago back within six. 

However, the RailCats were quick to counter in the top of the seventh.  Lingua walked and stole two bases, allowing Castillo to double him in and re-establish the Gary SouthShore lead at seven. 

The Dogs did tally one more run in the bottom of the eighth, but it proved to be too little too late.  Jaylen Smith left two runners on base to close out the inning before Augie Voight came in to get the final three outs, slamming the door on his former team. 

The RailCats return home to The Steel Yard tomorrow at 6:45 p.m. to begin a three-game series versus the Milwaukee Milkmen.  All the action will be streamed on aabaseball.tv, 95.9 WEFM, and the Gary SouthShore RailCats Broadcast Network through the Mixlr app.