Five-run Third Earns AirHogs Series Split
The first time through the batting order, Gary SouthShore RailCats pitcher Derrick Gordon retired eight of the nine Grand Prairie AirHogs he faced on Sunday night. But the next six hitters all reached and five of them scored - enough to give the AirHogs a 5-4 victory and a season-opening series split in front of 4,585 at QuikTrip Park.
The fateful bottom of the third began with a strikeout and a groundout, but Kevin Thompson then drew a walk and stole second. David Thomas then also drew a free pass, before Cesar Nicolas smashed the first Grand Prairie home run of the season, a long drive high off the batter's eye in center field.
Another walk to Greg Porter and a single by David Esponosa started things moving for the AirHogs (2-2) again, and John Alonso made Gordon (0-1) pay for his wildness with a two-run double to right that just missed clearing the wall.
After that, Grand Prairie hardly threatened again, but Jae Jung (1-0) and two relievers held on to the lead. Jung allowed a double and two singles to start the game and was behind 1-0 quickly, but allowed only one unearned run until the sixth inning. Jung tired and departed with two on in the sixth, and Rico Salmon allowed a two-out, two-run double to Brian Kolb to bring the RailCats (2-2) to within a run.
Salmon settled down, though, getting a groundout to end the sixth, and he continued to hold Gary off the board through the next to frames. Closer Jon Hunton then picked up his second save in as many days, striking out three and stranding two runners in scoring position after a strikeout-wild pitch, a walk and another wild pitch.
