Sanchez Homers in Series-Opening Loss
Columbus, Ohio - The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (Triple-A/New York Yankees) allowed nine extra-base hits (two homers) in a series-opening loss to the Columbus Clippers (Cleveland Indians) on Tuesday night at Huntington Park, 6-4.
The RailRiders (61-50) led 1-0 after a Gary Sanchez RBI single in the opening inning, but Columbus (61-49) responded with a James Ramsey home run in the bottom of the frame off starter Brady Lail. In the third, Greg Bird doubled in a run for a tie and Sanchez put SWB in front, 4-2, with a two-run homer to left. Again, Columbus would respond.
Erik Gonzalez drove in a run when he reached on a fielder's choice and a Rob Refsnyder error led to a second score in the bottom of the third for a 4-4 deadlock. Gonzalez curled a solo homer down the left-field line to give the Clippers the lead for good in the fifth. The next hitter, Anthony Gallas, doubled to chase Lail. Adam Moore then doubled off reliever James Pazos to plate Gallas for the 6-4 margin that would go final.
Columbus pitching allowed just three hits, all singles, after the Sanchez third-inning home run.
Lail (0-1) took the loss in his Triple-A debut. He allowed six runs (five earned) on nine hits, three walks and two homers with one strikeout. Columbus reliever Trey Haley (3-1) picked up the win while Carlos Marmol fired a scoreless ninth for his fifth save.
Right-hander Kyle Davies (7-6, 3.73) is scheduled to face fellow righty Josh Tomlin (1-1, 2.35) in game two of the series at 7:05 p.m. on Wednesday night.
The RailRiders return home to PNC Field for a short four-game run against the Pawtucket Red Sox (Boston Red Sox) starting Monday night at 7:05 p.m. It will be Bark in the Park 2, presented by VREC (Veterinary Referral & Emergency Center). Fans are encouraged to bring their pups to the ballpark and the first 500 dogs in attendance will receive dog poop bags on entrance. For more information please call (570) 969-BALL (2255) or visit swbrailriders.com.
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