RailRiders Snap Six-Game Run in 9-2 Thumping

Moosic, Pa. - Jose Pirela and Antoan Richardson each added two hits, but the Durham Bulls (Tampa Bay Rays) plated six runs in the contests first three innings en route to a 9-2 drilling of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (18-16) Saturday evening at PNC Field.

Durham combined for 14 hits on the night, going six-for-15 with runners in scoring position and adding just a single extra-base hit. The Bulls took the lead in the first after Jerry Sands and Vince Belnome added RBI base knocks for the 2-0 advantage.

Durham piled on a run in the second on a Cole Figueroa sacrifice fly before hanging three more tallies in the third inning. Belnome reached on a walk before Justin Christian added a single with one out, Ray Olmedo followed suit by reaching base via a throwing error by Kyle Roller that scored Belnome. Two more runs crossed on a double by Hak-Ju Lee that pushed the game out of reach at 6-0.

Pirela led off the home third with a homer to left, his second of the season, that plated the RailRiders first run and brought the game to within five at 6-1.

With the game out of reach, each club used a handful of arms the rest of the way. Durham added three more in the sixth inning, before the only other RailRider run crossed in the sixth on a double by Russ Canzler that drew the score to 9-2 where it would stand.

Shane Greene (0-1) suffered his first loss of the season, twirling three innings and giving way to three earned runs. Matt Andriese (2-3) earned the win, tossing five innings and allowing a single tally. 

The RailRiders continues the four-game set against the Bulls at PNC Field with the third game against commencing Sunday, May 11 at 1:05 p.m. SWB sends right-hander Chase Whitley (3-2, 2.49), while the Bulls toss righty Nathan Karns (2-2, 6.96). John Sadak and Aaron Berlin will have the call on MyNetwork TV, while longtime area voice Jim Riley fills in on radio with the pregame show beginning 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:

The loss to Durham snapped a season-best six-game winning streak.

Antoan Richardson and Jose Pirela each added multi-hit efforts in the loss.

In the first two games against Durham, SWB is a coming 2-for-17 with runners in scoring position.

- SWB RailRiders - All Aboard! -