RailRiders Turn Tides to Avoid Sweep
Moosic, Pa. - Sometimes all you need to do is to pay homage to those that have come before you to regain your swagger. On 90's night at PNC Field, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (Triple-A/New York Yankees) did just that, while letting out a bit of frustration in a 12-6 demolition of the Norfolk Tides (Baltimore Orioles) Friday night. SWB combined for 19 base hits, 11 of which went for extra bases to avoid the series sweep. As four different RailRiders (30-30) clubbed home runs on the evening, including two doubles and a home run by Adonis Garcia.
The thrashing began with run-scoring knocks by Garcia and Kyle Roller in the third before Zelous Wheeler plated two more runs with the RailRiders' first big fly of the night to put SWB up 4-0. The RailRiders added runs in each of the next four frames, including solo taters by Garcia, Roller and Jose Pirela to extend the lead. The four home runs tied for the most by the RailRiders this season. Runs came in bunches as SWB pushed across two more in the fourth on a sacrifice fly by Pirela and a solo home run, courtesy of Garcia. Crooked numbers followed in the sixth on RBI hits by Pirela, Garcia and Zoilo Almonte.
Eight of the nine RailRiders in the lineup reached safely as Roller and Garcia led the charge offensively combining for eight hits in 10 plate appearances. Pirela chipped in with a 3-for-3 night, including three RBI's and three runs scored, while Wheeler and Austin Romine each hung multiple hits.
Bruce Billings (4-1) spun five innings and combined with three other SWB relievers to earn his first win since April 14, while Mike Wright (1-4) was tagged for seven hits and four home runs in his fourth loss in his last five appearances.
The RailRiders continue the eight-game homestand with the series opener against the Toledo Mud Hen (Detroit Tigers) Saturday, June 7 at 7:05 p.m. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre will send right-hander Brian Gordon (3-5, 4.73) while Toledo counters with righty Derek Hankins (2-6, 6.47) John Sadak and Aaron Berlin have the call on MyNetwork TV while Jim Riley fills in on radio with the pregame show beginning at 6:35 p.m. on NEPA Sports Radio -The GAME, Northeast PA's largest 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 swbrailirders.com.
OFF THE RAILS:
Jose Pirela collected three more base knocks Friday night. The reigning International League hitter of the week has now reached safely in his last 13 ballgames dating back to May 24 against the Rochester Red Wings (Minnesota Twins).
Bruce Billings (4-1) picked up his first win since April 19. Billings now and co-leads the team with four wins, tying right-handed reliever Jim Miller.
Kyle Roller blasted his 14th home run of the year between the Double-A and Triple-A ranks. The home run came against his former teammate at ECU Mike Wright. Entering the day the 14th home run put Roller at No. 11 overall in the minor league ranks.
- SWB RailRiders - All Aboard! -