Peterson’s Three Homers Highlight Railroaders Sweep
CLEBURNE, Texas (Aug. 25, 2021) – D.J. Peterson became the first Railroaders player in franchise history to homer three times in one game, and Cleburne completed the three-game sweep with a 13-6 win over the Sioux Falls Canaries on Wednesday night at The Depot at Cleburne Station.
Peterson homered in the second, sixth, and eighth innings, driving in five runs and setting a new franchise record with 14 total bases. In addition to the homers, he added a double in the bottom of the fifth inning for a franchise-record four extra-base hits.
Garrett Alexander (8-6) picked up the win with seven gutsy innings, recording a season-high nine strikeouts while pitching on three days rest. He allowed five hits and four runs, issuing three walks.
After Peterson got the scoring started with a solo shot in the second, Skyler Ewing added a long ball of his own in the third to double the Cleburne lead to 2-0. Osvaldo Martinez capped the scoring in the inning with an RBI single for a 3-0 Railroaders advantage.
Sioux Falls (34-56) evened the score at 3-3 with a three-run fourth inning. Jabari Henry doubled to bring home one, and then with two outs Angelo Altavilla chopped a two-run single up the middle to tie the game.
Cleburne (48-40) had a quick answer in the bottom of the fourth, however. A wild throw on Hunter Clanin’s steal of second allowed Zach Nehrir to score, and then Ewing ripped an RBI double to put the Railroaders in front 5-3.
The Railroaders blew the game open with a six-run sixth inning. With the bases loaded and nobody out, Colton Pogue hit a bouncer to shortstop that kicked off the glove of Altavilla, allowing two runs to score. Ramon Hernandez made it 8-3 with an RBI single, and Peterson cranked a three-run homer down the left field line push the margin to 11-3.
Alay Lago added an RBI single in the bottom of the seventh, and then Peterson’s third homer in the eighth capped the scoring for Cleburne.
Newcomer Jake Yogel worked the final two innings in relief for Cleburne, making his professional debut in closing out the win.
The win, combined with losses by both Lincoln and Sioux City, moves Cleburne into sole possession of second place in the South Division standings. The Railroaders are now a game and a half ahead of Lincoln for third place, and two and a half games ahead of fourth place Sioux City.
Cleburne opens the series in Lincoln on Thursday night at 6:05 PM. Right-hander Jalen Evans (1-2, 5.23) will start the opener for Cleburne, while Lincoln counters with southpaw Kyle Kinman (8-3, 2.84).
For information on partnerships, season tickets, group outings, and party packages, call the Railroaders main office at (817) 945-8705, or visit the Railroaders official website at www.railroaderbaseball.com.