CLEBURNE, Texas – Despite falling behind by six runs to the Chicago Dogs in the first inning, the Railroaders scored six unanswered runs across the next seven innings to get back into position to win the game.
In tandem with 5 2/3 innings of scoreless work from starter Austin Krob, Cleburne (42-47) completed the comeback in extra innings thanks to a foul-pole-hugging, walk-off two-run home run from Brantley Bell (4) for a 10-8 final against Bell’s former team.
Bell finished 2-for-3 with three RBIs and a home run. He also drew three walks. The Railroaders drew 11 walks as a team Wednesday night after drawing a season-high 12 walks on Tuesday.
“I’m maybe more proud of three walks,” Bell said jokingly postgame. “Krob just picked us up after that first inning. It was a phenomenal outing. I’m proud of the guys.”
The Cleburne offense was once again jump-started by Frankie Tostado in the third inning. Tostado (4-for-5, 3R) singled before being pushed across by a Mason Minzey bloop single for Minzey’s 15th RBI of the season. In the fifth inning, Cole Foster cut the Chicago lead to two with a three-run home run (9), pushing the shortstop to 66 RBIs on the year.
Krob rebounded to strike out seven before handing the ball over to Ryder Yakel. Yakel made way for Ben Hampton for an inning, the latest Hampton has appeared in a game this season. Both allowed no runs.
Much like in Tuesday’s 9-8 win, Cleburne manufactured some runs with patience at the plate with the bases loaded. A single and back-to-back walks loaded the bases for Cody Thomas in the eighth inning. Thomas worked a full-count walk to bring in Merik Carter, making the score 6-5 in favor of Chicago (29-60). Brantley Bell did the same with two outs to tie the game at six.
The Dogs scratched across a run in the ninth, but Cleburne answered in the bottom half to force extra innings after Carter (2-for-6) scampered home on a wild pitch after reaching via a single. Chicago retook the lead 8-7 in the 10th, but Braydon Nelson limited the damage by stranding a runner at second.
Foster started as the runner at second for Cleburne in the bottom half of the 10th and scored after Minzey laid down a bunt that forced a throwing error on the throw to first, leaving Chicago chasing the ball as it rolled up the right-field line. With Minzey representing the winning run at first, Bell pulled the 1-1 pitch into left field over the wall and just a few feet in fair territory to end the game.
The win positions Cleburne 4 1/2 games ahead of Gary SouthShore for the final playoff spot in the East Division with 11 games left in the season, including Thursday’s matchup against Chicago.
As the final homestand of the season closes out across the next four games, it is still Fan Appreciation Week at La Moderna Field. Fans can enjoy free parking Thursday and 25% off the entire team store for the rest of the weekend. Happy Hour pricing will be in effect from gates to first pitch for the rest of the homestand as well.
Thursday, Aug. 27 – Chicago Dogs at Cleburne Railroaders (7:06 p.m.) — Happy Hour from gates to first pitch, free parking
Friday, Aug. 28 – Chicago Dogs at Cleburne Railroaders (7:06 p.m.) — Hockey Night presented by HealthSource (hockey jerseys for first 500 fans); Firework Friday presented by La Moderna
Saturday, Aug. 29 – Chicago Dogs at Cleburne Railroaders (7:06 p.m.) — Harvest Fest presented by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, AgTexas Farm Credit Services and Farm Bureau Johnson County (specialty “Crop Dusters” on-field jersey auction); Fireworks presented by AgTexas Farm Credit
Sunday, Aug. 30 – Chicago Dogs at Cleburne Railroaders (6:06 p.m.) — Chick-fil-A Kids Club Sunday; Family Field Day presented by Zimmerman and Kubota; Dino Night presented by SWAU (speciality Dino Night on-field jersey auction)