RailRiders Record First Victory of 2013

Moosic, Pa. - Thomas Neal's two-run single and Melky Mesa's solo home run helped the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (Triple-A/New York Yankees) record their first win of 2013 at the new PNC Field as they defeated the Rochester Red Wings on Monday evening, 4-2.

The game was locked up in a pitcher's duel between Scranton/Wilkes-Barre's Chris Bootcheck and Rochester's Andrew Albers until the bottom of the fifth. With one out, Addison Maruszak drew a walk. One out later, Gil Velazquez singled to move him to second, and Maruszak moved to third when the ball got away from catcher Eric Fryer during Mesa's at-bat. Mesa then followed with a single to left, plating Maruszak.

Rochester tied the game in the top of the sixth. Oswaldo Arcia led off with a single, and one out later stole second base. He then scored when Clete Thomas singled to left field.

The RailRiders quickly re-took the lead with two runs in the sixth. With one out, Austin Romine singled to left field. Corban Joseph moved him to second with a single of his own to right field. Maruszak then walked to load the bases. Neal followed in a big way, singling down the left-field line to plate both Romine and Joseph, giving Scranton/Wilkes-Barre the 3-1 edge.

Mesa's solo home run began the seventh and marked the first by a RailRider as well as the first host home run at the new PNC Field.

The Red Wings pulled one run back in the eighth when Arcia reached on an infield single and later scored on the double by Thomas. The run was not enough, as Scranton/Wilkes-Barre hung on for the 4-2 win.

Bootcheck provided a big boost, tossing five scoreless innings with four strikeouts. Ryan Pope (1-0) pitched two innings, and recorded the win. Preston Claiborne retired the side in order in the ninth to pick up the save.

Luis Perdomo (0-1) came into the game in the fifth for Rochester, and was handed the loss. He allowed two runs in an inning and one-third.

The RailRiders and Red Wings will play game two of the three-game set tomorrow evening at PNC Field. Fans that purchase a bleacher or standing-room-only ticket at the PNC Field box office will receive another bleacher or standing-room-only ticket free. First pitch at is set for 6:35 p.m.