Chicago Dogs advance to Eastern Division Finals against Kane County Cougars

The Chicago Dogs advanced to their second consecutive Eastern Division Finals on Saturday night in Cleburne after taking Game 3 from the Railroaders 3-1.

It was a pitchers’ duel through six innings between Cleburne starter Caleb Smith, who allowed no runs and four hits, and Dogs ace John Baker, who was victimized by a solo home run off the bat of former Chicago Dog Jesus Lujano in the third inning, putting Cleburne up 1-0. Baker was outstanding otherwise, giving up just five hits, with five strikeouts and just one walk.

In the eighth inning, against Cleburne closer Dylan Bice, the Dogs rallied with three straight singles by Dusty Stroup, Johnni Turbo and a game-tying basehit by Derek Maiben, who went 8 of 12 in the series, tying the game at 1. The next batter, former Railroader Gus Sosa, picked up a pinch-hit sacrifice fly to right scoring Turbo and putting the Dogs up 2-1.

In the ninth, Chicago added another on a throwing error by Cleburne pitcher Tyler Wilson.

Joey Marciano retired all eight batters he faced, striking out five, earning the win and sending the Dogs to the finals again, this time against the Kane County Cougars, who dispatched the Lake Country Dockhounds in two games.

Game 1 is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Monday at Impact Field in Rosemont. All Chicago Dogs games are streamed, live and free, on aabaseball.tv.