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SWB Homers Three Times to Give Bootcheck 10th Win

RailRiders Plate Four in the First and Add Five in the Eighth to Even IronRail Series
August 29, 2013

Moosic, Pa. - The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders powered three home runs in the bottom of the first en route to a 9-2 win over the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Philadelphia Phillies) on the final home game of the season at PNC Field. Chris Bootcheck, who has been a consistent starter all season long, picked up his 10th victory of the season. The win also tied the IronRail series at seven games apiece.

J.R. Murphy began the home run fest in the bottom of the first with a solo homer with one out. It was Murphy's sixth as a RailRider, and his second in as many nights. Ronnier Mustlier followed Murphy up with a home run of his own, and it bounced atop the walkway that stands above the bullpens in left field. Brent Lillibridge later singled, and came home when Neil Medchill homered to right field to cap the inning. RailRiders led 4-0 after one frame.

Lehigh Valley got on the board with a run in the top of the fifth. Michael Martinez hit a one-out single, then moved to second on Leandro Castro's base hit. Steven Lerud then singled Martinez home to cut the lead to 4-1.

The IronPigs moved closer with another run in the sixth. Steve Susdorf hit a one-out double to start the rally, and came around to score when Josh Fields singled him home.

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre put the game out of reach with a five-run eighth inning. Run scoring singles by Jose Gil and Bobby Wilson highlighted the frame. Two walks and a wild pitch plated the other three runs. That gave the RailRiders a comfortable winning margin of 9-2.

Bootcheck (10-7) had not won since July 13 despite solid performances, but he got elusive win number 10. He worked five and two-thirds innings, and allowed just two runs on six hits. He did not walk a batter, and struck out five IronPig batters.

The RailRiders have four remaining games on the 2013 campaign, and they'll begin the final four-game road trip of the season on Friday night in Allentown, Pa. The IronRail series will be decided at Coca-Cola Park during a two-game series between SWB and the Pigs. Chase Whitley (3-2, 3.36) will take the mound for SWB, and he'll be opposed by Tyler Cloyd (5-9, 4.89). First pitch is 7:05 p.m., and pre-game coverage will get underway at 6:35 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! -