Cleburne loses five of six to Chicago in home-opening series

Cleburne goes 1-5 against Chicago in its home-opening series after starting season 7-3 on road.

CLEBURNE, Texas – The Cleburne Railroaders went 1-5 against the Chicago Dogs in their home-opening series of the 2023 American Association baseball season, bringing their overall record to 8-8.

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After Cleburne won its first two series against the Sioux Falls Explorers and Milwaukee Milkmen to start the season 7-3, fans were excited to see them at La Moderna Field for the first time in 2023. 

Cleburne beat Chicago 6-3 in the series finale for its only win of the series Sunday behind seven innings pitched from right-hander Riley Smith (2-2). Smith struck out four batters as he gave up one earned run on five hits and two walks. 

Smith pitched 12 and 2/3 innings in the series, losing game one after giving up eight earned runs on nine hits and four walks and striking out four batters through five and 2/3 innings pitched.

Cleburne lost game one of the series, its home opener, 11-9 Tuesday. Cleburne surrendered five runs to give Chicago a 9-3 lead in the top of the sixth inning.  Second-baseman Delino DeShields went 3 for 5 with a triple and two runs scored, extending his hitting streak to seven games.

Cleburne lost game two 13-5 as Chicago left-hander Jake Dahlberg (2-1) held Cleburne to two runs on seven hits and a walk through 5 and 1/3 innings pitched, striking out four batters Wednesday. Cleburne starter, right-hander Michael Mariot (1-1) gave up 7 earned runs on nine hits and a walk through five innings pitched. 

Cleburne didn’t score in game three, losing 12-0 as Chicago right-hander Tyler Palm (3-0) struck out six batters and gave up no runs on one hit and four walks Thursday. Cleburne starter, right-hander Kevin Hilton (0-1) surrendered six earned runs on nine hits and two walks over five innings pitched in the loss. Cleburne was held to two hits in the loss. 

Cleburne came closer in game four as they lost 5-4 to Chicago Friday. Cleburne left-hander Trey Cumbie (0-1) surrendered two runs on a hit and two walks to give Chicago a 5-3 lead in the top of the eighth inning. Cleburne outhit Chicago 12-5 in the loss. 

Cleburne lost game five 7-5 to Chicago as right-hander Travis Perry (1-2) gave up four earned runs on five hits and three walks Saturday. Center-fielder DeShields went 0 for 5 with 3 strikeouts in the loss after batting .373 through his first 13 games.

Cleburne got the bats going early in its game-five victory, scoring four runs and knocking out Chicago starter, right-hander Ryan O’Reilly after 3 and 2/3 innings.

After the six-game series, Cleburne is in 3rd place in the East Division, 3.5 games behind Chicago. Chicago is 11-4 with the best record in the American Association.

Cleburne starts a four-game home series against Sioux City Monday before hitting the road later in the week.