09/14/2018 12:13 PM -
The 2018 season was one for the record books as the Gary SouthShore RailCats won a franchise record 59 games and captured their first regular-season division title as members of the American Association. Gary also qualified for the playoffs for the second straight season, something that had never been done since the ‘Cats joined the American Association in 2011. The RailCats returned to the postseason mostly in part to finishing 41-24 in the North Division and posting the best second half record in the division at 35-15. Gary outscored their opponents, 260-186, in the second half and hit 35 of their 46 home runs over the last 59 games of the regular season.
RailCats Return to Postseason Gary guaranteed themselves a postseason berth 10 days earlier with a 4-1 victory against Sioux Falls but captured their first division title as members of the AA with the 3-2 final vs. KC on the final day of the regular season.
Second Half Surge and Dominant Divisional Play carries Gary back to Playoffs The RailCats finished above .500 against every team in the North Division, including the American Association runner-up St. Paul Saints at 7-6. Gary also went 19-10 in the month of July, including a season-high-tying eight-game winning streak to close the month, and posted a .291 batting average and 3.08 ERA in July.
Minor dominates American Association before signing with Mexican League Nine of Minor’s last 10 starts were quality starts and the right-hander went 8-0 with a 1.42 ERA in his last eight starts with Gary. During his eight-game winning streak, the 27-year-old allowed just nine runs, 44 hits, nine walks and struck out 48 batters over 57 innings. Minor went 14-3 with a 2.22 ERA over 22 appearances (21 starts) with Gary after being acquired from the Winnipeg Goldeyes on August 10, 2017.
Pugh posts career bests in third season with RailCats
Pitching Staff shines all season long
Tagert returns to postseason Tagert has also led Gary to the playoffs nine times (2005-2010, 2013, 2017-18) has won three Division Titles and has helped advance 24 former RailCats to affiliated baseball, including 2006 outfielder Nathan Haynes, who played in the MLB for the Los Angeles Angels and Tampa Bay Rays from 2007-08. Tagert’s most recent player to have his contract purchased by an MLB affiliate was shortstop Ryan Fitzgerald, who had his contract purchased by the Boston Red Sox on May 2, 2018.
Tagert has developed three Northern League Pitchers of the Year, two League Rookie of the Year winners, a Northern League Player f the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, five Baseball America All-Independent League selections, eight full-season Northern League All-Stars and two full-season American Association All-Stars. |
A day at U.S. Steel Yard is non-stop fun, and that's even without the baseball! The RailCats promise a wide array of laugh-out-loud between inning entertainment, great giveaways, jaw-dropping fireworks and a family-first, kid-friendly atmosphere! RailCats fans come in all ages, shapes, and sizes, and the RailCats promise every fan will have fun.
U.S. Steel Yard
One Stadium Plaza
Gary, IN 46402
219.882.2255