Gary, Ind. – The T-Bones committed seven errors Wednesday afternoon, costing the team seven runs in what turned out to be a doubleheader sweep to Gary SouthShore, 9-0 and 4-3, at the U.S. Steel Yard.
Pat Doyle (1-1) started the first game and was doing fine until errors by Kansas City’s defense resulted in four unearned runs in the third inning. Doyle pitched five innings and allowed six runs (two earned) on seven hits and three walks. Nick Giarraputo was the only T-Bone with two hits, including his third double of the season.
The T-Bones committed three errors in the first of two seven-inning games as a result of rain Tuesday night.
Kansas City’s defense fared worse in the second game, committing four miscues in the nightcap, started by Rick Zagone, who took a no-decision after pitching six innings and allowing just one earned run on six hits.
Errors in the sixth and eighth innings gave the RailCats the tie and win, respectively. In the sixth, with runners on the corners and one out, T.J. Mittelstaedt fielded a groundball at third and threw wildly to catcher Danny Masiello that allowed Gary to tie the game at 3-3.
Then, in the eighth with Chris Squires (1-2) on the mound, there was a miscommunication between left fielder Byron Wiley and shortstop Vladimir Frias that resulted in a collision and a two-base error. Pinch-hitter Craig Maddox then won the game with a bloop single to centerfield that gave Gary SouthShore the 4-3 win and the series, two games to one.
Kansas City, still searching for its first series win, will continue the roadtrip with a four-game series at Sioux Falls starting at 7:05 p.m. Thursday. The game can be heard on 1660-AM in Kansas City or online at tbonesbaseball.com.
– Information from T-Bones