Murphy's Two-Run Single Helps Lift RailRiders to 4-3 Win

Moosic, Pa. - A two-run single by J.R. Murphy in the seventh inning put the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (Triple-A/New York Yankees) back in front, and they held on to defeat the Norfolk Tides (Baltimore Orioles) on Sunday afternoon, 4-3. Murphy also doubled in the game, and is batting .343 (12-35) since being promoted from Double-A Trenton.

The RailRiders took the first lead when they scored two runs in the second. Brent Lillibridge led off with a double, and scored easily when Cody Grice followed with a triple to right field. Addison Maruszak then singled through the left side to plate Grice.

The lead did not last long as Norfolk tied the game in the third. After a two out walk to L.J. Hoes, Jason Pridie homered to right field to knot the game back up.

It remained a tie game until the top of the sixth. Russ Canzler singled to center with one out, moved to second on a base hit by Zelous Wheeler, and then scored when Brandon Wood singled to left field. The Tides led 3-2 after six innings of play.

The RailRider seventh began with a nine pitch at-bat by Walter Ibarra. He drew a walk, and it was followed up by another nine pitch at-bat by Corey Patterson, who doubled to right-center field to move Ibarra to third. Murphy then singled to left-center field, which drove home both Ibarra and Patterson to give Scranton/Wilkes-Barre the lead.

Brett Marshall threw six solid innings in a no-decision. He tied a season-high with eight strikeouts, which was just one short of his career best. He allowed three runs on seven hits, and walked just one batter. Mike Zagurski (1-1) worked the seventh inning to get the win, and Josh Spence retired the final two batters to pick-up his first save as a RailRider.

Adam Russell (3-2) took the loss for Norfolk after working the sixth and seventh innings. He allowed two runs on two hits, and walked three.

PNC Field will not host another SWB home game until July 4 as the RailRiders now embark on their longest road trip of the season, which begins on Tuesday in Syracuse, N.Y. That's when SWB will open up a five-game series with the Chiefs that will cover just four days. Jose Ramirez (0-1, 7.71) is the scheduled starter for the RailRiders, and he'll be opposed by Caleb Clay (0-1, 2.70). First pitch on Tuesday is set for 7 p.m., with pre-game action getting underway at 6:30 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.

 

- SWB RailRiders - All Aboard! -