Ninth Inning Rally Comes Up Short for SWB

Rochester, N.Y. - A night after clinching the inaugural IronRail trophy, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (Triple-A/New York Yankees) opened a two-game series with the Rochester Red Wings (Minnesota Twins) trying to play playoff spoilers. The Red Wings entered Sunday night one game behind Norfolk for the wildcard spot, and they moved to within a half game with a 3-2 win over SWB.

The RailRiders entered the top of the ninth trailing by two runs. Michael Tonkin was brought in to close, and he gave up a one-out free pass to Brent Lillibridge. Ronnier Mustelier then singled through the right side to move Lillibridge to third and put the tying run on base. One out later, Neil Medchill followed with a base hit to right-center field that plated Lillibridge, and moved Mustelier to third. With the tying run at third, Tonkin recorded a strikeout to end the game.

Despite the loss, it was the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre offense that broke through first. Corey Patterson led off the game in the first with a double down the right-field line. He moved to third on a base hit by Mustelier, and then scored when Adonis Garcia reached on a fielder's choice.

Rochester went in front for good with two runs in the fourth. Jeff Clement hit a one-out single to left, and came around to score when Aaron Hicks tripled to right-center field. Garcia broke in on the ball hit by Hicks, and it sailed over his head. One out later, Ray Olmedo singled through the left side to drive home Hicks, and put the Red Wings in front, 2-1.

An insurance run that proved to be decisive was added by Rochester in the eighth. Chris Parmelee tripled to right-center field. He would score when Clement singled to center field.

Starter Pat Dean (3-2) got the win after allowing one run in seven frames. Graham Stoneburner (4-6) took the loss. He allowed just two runs on six hits in five innings of work.

The RailRiders will now wrap-up their season on Monday afternoon. They'll try to finish with a 69-75 record when they send Caleb Cotham (6-5, 4.66) to the mound. Cotham has been dominant since the All-Star break. He's posted a 4-0 record with a 1.83 earned run average in nine outings. He'll be opposed by left-hander, Scott Diamond (3-0, 2.12). First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m., and pre-game coverage will get underway 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.

- SWB RailRiders - All Aboard! -