Before I get into my observations from tonight’s win over the Milwaukee Milken, here’s how I’m going to format things: 1st inning, 2nd inning, etc., instead of 1, 2, 3. The list might be out of order and may not follow the exact game flow—I just don’t want to confuse anyone if something seems out of sequence. Now, on to the article.

May 18th – The RailCats began their second series of the year against another East Division opponent, the Milwaukee Milkmen, in Milwaukee. Going into tonight’s game, the question on our minds was whether this team could put together two straight games of consistent play. The answer was yes — in fact, you could say we have now been consistent for three games.

You may ask how that still adds up to three games when they got blown out in Game 2 of the Dockhound series. The answer is that if you take out the 8th inning, the score would have been 5–2. They had 7 hits, left 11 runners on base, and drew 6 walks. Sometimes in baseball, the bounces—or the balls that should be hits—just don’t go your way. It happens from time to time, but limiting those kinds of games will be key to the 2026 season. Now, on to the observations.

1st Inning – Just like the past two games, the RailCats struck first. As in yesterday’s game, you get an early spark from the leadoff spot – this time it’s Kevin Watson Jr. instead of Korry Howell. Watson reaches with a hit and promptly steals second. Peralta draws a walk, then Watson swipes third and Peralta moves up to second. Joe Suozzi follows with a single into right field, driving in both Watson and Peralta to make it 2–0. Milwaukee answers with one run in the bottom half, but for the third straight game the RailCats finish the first inning on top.

2nd Inning – The RailCats stole 5 more bases in this game, putting them in first place in the entire league with 15. The next three teams are Fargo-Moorhead, Lake Country, and the Lincoln Saltdogs, all tied with 7. Unlike in past years, when high steal totals often came from a single player, this year the steals are spread around: only three players on the team don’t have a stolen base (Weiss, Suozzi, and Summerhill). Also, no one has been caught stealing yet.

3rd Inning – We saw home runs from Elvis Peralta and Oliver Basabe, which were the first from each player. The RailCats are on a four-game home run streak, and I don’t remember the last time that happened—if it has ever happened for this franchise. They are currently sitting 4th in the league. (Now up to 5 dollars for a local organization, to be named on Friday.)

4th Inning – The approach this team is taking at the plate I’m really starting to enjoy. In years past it would be the RailCats pitching staff giving up 8 walks in a game and the offense getting just 1 walk. But tonight, they took 8 walks. Walks are hits, even if they don’t show up in the batting average. After tonight’s game they lead the league in walks with 25, just ahead of the RedHawks, who have 24.

5th Inning – We get to see Alonso Richards make his first start with the RailCats. He pitched 5 innings, allowing 7 hits, 3 runs (2 earned), 3 walks, and 2 strikeouts. At times, his command wasn’t fully there, but he got timely outs and his defense played great behind him to limit any real damage.

6th Inning – Matt Reitz came into tonight’s game to help save the bullpen arms with an early turnaround tomorrow, and he was absolutely lights out. He threw 4 innings, allowing just 4 hits, with no runs, no walks, and 1 strikeout. He picked up the save in this game and is quickly becoming a great relief pitcher who could potentially work his way into the starting rotation if he so chooses.

7th Inning – Cowboy Coop does it again. In the first inning, Wendell Marrero tries to steal second base and, just like in the last game, Cooper Edwards shuts him down and essentially shuts down Milwaukee’s running game. When you let teams run freely, singles can turn into doubles or triples in just a few pitches. That’s what the RailCats prevented in this and the last game. Keeping runners at bay helps the pitchers focus on the batter and not the runner.

8th Inning – The defense had its best game of the year so far, turning three double plays, two of which ended innings. The one to note was in the 5th: no outs, runners on second and third, and Marrero hit a line drive at Elvis Peralta, who made a great catch and then threw to Cooper Weiss to double off Hallquist. If that play doesn’t happen, the score is either 5–4 Milwaukee or 4–4. In the next at-bat, Doersching scored Waddell. That was the play that changed the game.

9th inning – keeping the lineup moving is exactly what the team did tonight. Every batter reached base with timely hits, walks, and steals. This is starting to look like the team’s identity, and it’s the kind of baseball RailCats fans were used to in the golden era. I’m not saying that’s where we’re headed, but it could be a step in the right direction.

Extra Innings – Tonight’s game is the first time in 1,079 days that the RailCats have had a .500 record — nearly three years. That’s mind-blowing and really puts into perspective how the past handful of years have gone. The question now is whether this team can continue to build on this momentum, keep winning streaks alive, and avoid major losing streaks. The only people who can answer that question are the players, and it looks like they’re ready to answer it in a positive way.

219 ’Cat Player of the Game: Elvis Peralta – 2-for-3, 3 runs, 2 RBI, 2 BB, 1 strikeout, 1 home run, and 2 stolen bases. He was also involved in all three double plays tonight.