Heroics: Guzmán's late-game homer lifts SWB

MOOSIC, PA (August 10, 2022) –The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (56-50) rallied back in dramatic fashion to defeat the Worcester Red Sox 3-2 on Wednesday. Ronald Guzmán launched a two-run shot with two outs in the eighth to give the RailRiders the lead and eventual win.

Worcester tagged two on starter Jhony Brito thanks to Ryan Fitzgerald’s two-run home run to right. The RailRiders responded in the bottom of the third. Oswaldo Cabrera singled to bring home Michael Beltre for a 2-1 game. Beltre was lifted from the game after the play at the plate.

An Oswaldo Cabrera single puts SWB on the board in the third. #RepBX #OffTheRails pic.twitter.com/F6qQUBVUN0

— SWB RailRiders (@swbrailriders) August 10, 2022

Brito lasted five innings while allowing just those two runs to score. He struck out three, retiring nine in a row at one point. The RailRiders bullpen was strong behind the starter. Zach Greene, Jimmy Cordero and Ron Marinaccio each twirled scoreless frames out of the bullpen. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre loaded the bases in the seventh but failed to score.

In the home half of the eighth, SWB finally broke through. A single and fielder’s choice brought Guzmán to the plate with a runner aboard in two out. Guzmán muscled one the other way for the go-ahead two-run homer. His eighth homer of the season was his first of the year that put the RailRiders ahead.

Going, going, GONE for Ronald Guzmán! #RepBX #OffTheRails pic.twitter.com/DltO61kwrL

— SWB RailRiders (@swbrailriders) August 11, 2022

Greg Weissert came in for the ninth and surrendered a leadoff walk but stranded it at third base to lock down his fifteenth save. Marinaccio (1-0) tallied the victory in relief while Chase Shugart surrendered the home run and was saddled with the loss.

Clarke Schmidt (1-0, 3.63) takes the ball on Thursday night against the WooSox. It’s Thirsty Thursday with drink specials out at the ballpark. Tickets and details are available at swbrailriders.com.