The RailCats opened a new series against the Milwaukee Milkmen with a 13-1 loss. We will throw this one in the garbage, just like we did on Saturday in the 17-3 loss to the Kansas Monarchs. Here are nine things I saw in this game.

1st Inning – I got to watch this game from the first-base suites, as my wife’s work had its annual outing at the Steel Yard. I always enjoy watching a game from the suites because you get to see much more; I just wish the game had been a little more entertaining.

2nd Inning – Nothing deflates the atmosphere like the starting pitcher giving up two walks, hitting a batter, throwing a wild pitch that scores a run, and surrendering a three-run homer to the first four batters. By the end of the top of the first, J.C. Flowers’ line looked like this: 1 hit, 2 walks, 1 hit batter, 4 runs, 4 earned runs, and 1 strikeout.

3rd Inning – J.C. Flowers’ command was not there tonight; he was all over the place and couldn’t settle in. His stat line was: 1 IP, 1 H, 8 R, 7 ER, 4 BB, 1 K, 1 HR, 1 hit batter, 2 WP. After Flowers loaded the bases, Jeff Isom sent Frank Plesac out to the bullpen to start warming up.

4th Inning – The 2nd inning wasn’t much better for the RailCats. This could have been the time Flowers could have settled in and refocused, but things just unraveled. He walked Chase Waddell and Delvin Perez, then got Justin Janas to hit a fly ball between Kevin Watson Jr. and Korry Howell. It was Watson’s ball, but he dropped it for an error. The next batter, Michael Hallquist, came up with the bases loaded and grounded the ball back to Flowers, who had time to throw home but airmailed it to Edwards, allowing two runners to score. That was the end for J.C. Flowers.

5th Inning – Frank Plesac came in for damage control. He got Yordy Valdes to pop out to Peralta, but Griffin Doersching hit his second three-run home run, as he did in the first, to blow the game wide open.

6th Inning – Colin Summerhill was the first baserunner, reaching on a walk in the third inning.

7th Inning – Jake Guenther was the first RailCat to record a hit, doubling in the fifth inning.

8th Inning – Griffin Doersching had a career night, I’m guessing. He went 4-for-5, scored 3 runs, drove in 10 RBIs, and hit 3 home runs, 2 of which were three-run shots. After his second home run, I would have avoided pitching to him.

9th Inning – The only RailCats run came on a two-out home run by Nick Podkul in the bottom of the ninth. He hit his fifth home run of the year.

Extra Inning – As a big weather guy, I’m concerned about the next two games, as storms are supposed to roll into Northwest Indiana around game time on Wednesday and Thursday. That will be a headache to try to fit in if both games get canceled. I know doubleheaders will be the answer, but these games could be major factors down the road if that’s the case.