Free Ride: RailRiders Top Mets 8-4

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MOOSIC, PA (April 5, 2024) – The Scranton/Wilkes Barre RailRiders defeated the Syracuse Mets 8-4 on Friday night at PNC Field. The RailRiders set a franchise record with 15 walks in a single game. Jose Rojas and Caleb Durbin each homered in the win.

After Caleb Durbin and Carlos Narvaez drew back-to-back walks in the first inning, Rojas took a cutter 342-feet into right field for his second home run of the year to put the RailRiders up 3-0.

Guess we know what started the earthquake today. 🫨

Jose Rojas sends his second homer of the young season to the Railhouse Bar. pic.twitter.com/GAEg8IDhuj

— SWB RailRiders (@swbrailriders) April 5, 2024

The Mets battled back in the top of the second when Ben Gamel hit a two-run homer into right field. Narvaez ended the frame by throwing out the stealing Rylan Bannon at second base to keep it 3-2.

In the bottom of the frame, Syracuse starter Dom Hamel faced eight Scranton/Wilkes-Barre batters walking four straight scoring. Jordan Groshans and Brandon Lockridge came across the plate to put the home team up by three.

The Mets chipped away in the fourth to get down by just one run. Gamel doubled to reach and Austin Allen hit a two-run shot off of Phil Bickford, who was making his RailRiders debut.

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre put up some insurance runs in the home half of the sixth. Greg Allen worked a walk and Durbin made it 7-4 with a 346-foot two-run bomb to left field for the RailRiders. It was his first home run of the season.

Aftershock. 🤯

Caleb Durbin notches his first homer in Triple-A! He's reached in eight consecutive plate appearances and has a five-game hitting streak. pic.twitter.com/qxQPrysBq4

— SWB RailRiders (@swbrailriders) April 6, 2024

A little later, Durbin led off the eighth with a walk and quickly stole second and third. After Narvaez got a free pass as well, Everson Pereira was hit by a pitch to load the bases. With their franchise record setting 15th walk of the evening, the RailRiders added another thanks to a Rojas walk for an 8-4 victory. Prior to this, SWB had 14 walks in a contest back in August of 1998.

Caleb Durbin has worked a five-game hitting streak in his first few games as a RailRider. The 24-year-old got aboard in all five plate appearances tonight, marking nine straight consecutive at-bats where he reached safely.

The #18 Yankees prospect Yoendrys Gómez pitched three innings giving up three hits, two runs, and two strikeouts. Cody Morris and Josh Maciejewski (W, 1-0) each had scoreless appearances. Ron Marinaccio slammed the door shut in the ninth.

The RailRiders continue their home series at PNC Field on Saturday, April 6, with a doubleheader against the Syracuse Mets. First pitch is set for 2:05 P.M. Tickets and more information are available online at www.swbrailriders.com.