Canzler's Extra-Inning RBI Lifts RailRiders over Chiefs, 2-1

Moosic, Pa. - With the game tied and his team in need of a lift, hometown NEPA product, Russ Canzler, provided the fireworks Saturday night in 2-1 extra-inning walk-off win. The late single lifted the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (4-5) over the Syracuse Chiefs (3-6) in front of an announced attendance of 5,011 on Saturday night at PNC Field. The RBI-scoring base hit plated left fielder Zoilo Almonte from second, securing the doubleheader split for the RailRiders.

After laboring offensively for much of the evening, SWB caught their first break of the night in game two of Saturday night's twin bill. After retiring nine of ten batters faced, Chiefs starting pitcher, Josh Roenicke, departed the game with the score even at 0-0. From there the RailRiders offense breathed a sigh of relief as Christian Garcia came in relief of Roenicke. Garcia began the fourth with a walk to SWB designated hitter, Scott Sizemore, on four-straight pitches. Almonte then struck what appeared to be a double play ball to Chiefs first baseman, Jose Lozada. Lozada fielded the ball cleanly and raced it to first to secure the out and, with Sizemore hustling to second, Lozada's relay throw bounced off Sizemore's back, giving the RailRiders a runner in scoring position. After a Canzler groundout moved Sizemore to third, Chiefs catcher, Jeff Howell, allowed a ball to go past his mitt to score Sizemore. The run marked the first lead of the night for SWB, 1-0.

Syracuse avoided a shutdown inning, claiming the tying run after Brain Goodwin reached on a single. After a balk by Caleb Cotham (0-0, 3.68) allowed Goodwin to trot to second, Lozada made up for the missed double play with an RBI single to right that brought Goodwin around to score.  

The two clubs remained scoreless for the next two innings, mixing and matching pitchers along the way. Syracuse relied upon the services of four different arms, while SWB need two to close out Saturday night's affair. The biggest moment came in the top of the seventh inning after right-handed pitcher Preston Claiborne (0-0, 0.00) pitching in relief of Cotham, loaded the bases with an intentional walk. RailRiders manager Dave Miley, summoned upon Bucknell product, Matt Daley (1-0, 6.75), to finish off the frame. With the go-ahead run at third and the bases full, Daley struck out his next two batters faced to close out the inning, thwarting the Syracuse threat. Daley recorded four strikeouts in his two complete innings of work the set the stage for Canzler in the eighth.

After Sizemore struck out to begin the home half of the eighth, Almonte followed with a single to centerfield before taking second base to setup Canzler's game-winning hit.

Daley would go on to earn the win, his first of the year, while Manny Delcarmen (0-1, 2.45) was slated with the loss.

Syracuse took game one of the double dip Saturday night in 7-1 fashion, combining for 12 base hits, including a four-run third inning that saw the Chiefs send every man to the plate. Eury Perez took first on a hit by pitch before proceeding to swipe second base, and Will Rhymes smacked an RBI single to left field that scored Perez for the first run of the game. Back-to-back RBI doubles to right field by Brock Peterson and Zach Walters followed to extend the Chiefs lead, 3-0. After two brief mound visits, starting pitcher Brian Gordon stayed in the game, allowing the final blow of the inning in the form of an RBI single by outfielder Goodwin, that plated the fourth run of the frame. 

The lone RailRider run came in the fourth when Almonte blasted his first homerun of the year over the left field wall. The home run occurred with nobody on base and the brought the Chiefs lead to a 4-1 deficit. The dinger was the second for the RailRiders in as many games after not hitting a home run through their first six contests and hit broke a string of 11-straight batters retired by Syracuse starter Hill to begin the game.

The Chiefs later added to their cushion by riding a three-run seventh on their way to a 7-2 victory, giving Hill his second win against SWB this year, while slating Gordon with the loss.

The RailRiders will conclude their four-game tilt Sunday afternoon at 1:05 p.m. when the club hosts the Chiefs. Right-hander, Bruce Billings (0-0, 5.00) will toe the rubber for SWB, while the righty Omar Poveda (0-0, 0.00) gets the nod for the Chiefs. Voice the of the RailRiders, John Sadak, along with Aaron Berlin, will have the call on radio. Pregame coverage begins at 12:35 p.m. on NEPA Sports Radio - The GAME, Northeast PA's largest sports radio network: 100.7 FM, 1340 WYCK-AM, 1400 WICK-AM, 1440 WCDL-AM and 106.7 FM. For season ticket information, single-game tickets or to book a ballpark group outing, call (570) 969-BALL (2255) or visit swbrailriders.com.

 

OFF THE RAILS:

Almonte combined for three hits on the evening, including a home run in the fourth inning of game one

Carmen Angelini recorded his third extra-base hit of the season against the Chiefs.

- SWB RailRiders - All Aboard! -