Reynolds Wraps Series with Late Homer; Syracuse Wins 4-2

SYRACUSE, NY (June 17, 2018) - The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders held a 2-1 lead with two outs in the bottom of the 7^th inning, but a three-run homer by Matt Reynolds off Brady Lail proved to be the difference as the Syracuse Chiefs staved off a series sweep by the RailRiders with a 4-2 win in the series finale Sunday at NBT Bank Stadium.

Neither team cracked the opposition's starter over the first three innings before the Chiefs struck for the game's first run. In the bottom of the fourth, José Marmolejos hit a solo home run off Scranton/Wilkes-Barre's Nestor Cortes deep over the wall in right-centerfield. Following the blast, Syracuse loaded the bases in the inning, but the southpaw induced a flyout and a groundout to close the inning, 1-0.
 
The game remained 1-0 into the 6^th inning when the RailRiders jumped ahead with a string of doubles. Tyler Wade grounded out to begin the inning, but then Brandon Drury lasered a double off the wall in right field to set the table. Following a Ryan McBroom strikeout, Billy McKinney doubled home Drury to tie the game, 1-1. At that point, Syracuse dipped into its bullpen to replace starting pitcher Tommy Milone (5.2 IP, 5 H, 2R/2ER, BB, 9 K) and summoned Chris Smith from the bullpen. Tyler Austin- in his first game with the RailRiders this season- rocketed a double off the wall in left field to score McKinney and give SWB a 2-1 lead.



That would be the last lead the RailRiders would hold in the game, as Reynolds delivered his go-ahead homer just an inning later off of Lail to push the Chiefs ahead for good. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre put the tying run on base with one out in the 9^th inning with runners on the corners, but a strikeout and a groundout off Syracuse closer, Jimmy Cordero, ended the threat.

Wilkin Castillo had the best game of his season with SWB. In his first seven games this year with the RailRiders, Castillo had been 4-for-24 (.167 AVG) with a pair of doubles. Castillo notched a 4-for-4 game Sunday with two doubles, just the sixth 4+-hit performance by a RailRider this season, and his season batting average climbs to .286.
 
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre piles on the bus and heads back to Moosic, Pa. following Sunday's game. The team is idle Monday and will be back at PNC field Tuesday, June 19 to take on the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. with pregame coverage set for 6:35 p.m. with Adam Marco and Adam Giardino. For tickets and more information, call (570) 969-BALL or slide to www.swbrailriders.com/tickets.