Almost Enough: Ninth inning rally falls short

ALLENTOWN, PA (April 10, 2019)- The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders never trailed until there were two outs in the bottom of the 8^th inning, but the Lehigh Valley IronPigs strung together three hits on three straight pitches to win 3-2.

The game was tied 1-1 entering the bottom of the 8^thwhen Lehigh Valley struck for a pair of runs off the RailRiders bullpen, and SWB trailed 3-1 heading into the 9^th. The RailRiders rallied in the inning and eventually put the winning run on first base, but a deep flyout by Thairo Estrada was hauled in for the final out to strand a pair of runners. 

Nestor Cortes was stellar for the RailRiders, tossing seven innings of one-run ball before handing it off to the bullpen. In 12.2 innings this season, he has allowed just one run (0.71 ERA) and struck out 14 batters.

For the second straight night, SWB notched a 10-hit attack but fell short with their offensive effort Wednesday. Four RailRiders recorded 2-hit games including Trey Amburgey (2-for-5, RBI, SB), Mike Ford (2-for-5, 2B, RBI), Ryan McBroom (2-for-2, 2 BB) and Billy Fleming (2-for-4, R, K).
 
The RailRiders pile on the bus and head home an hour north to Moosic and celebrate their 2019 Home Opener Thursday night with a 7:05 p.m. first pitch against the Buffalo Bisons. RHP Chance Adams (0-0, 15.00) is set to build off his first start of the season as he goes up against LHP Shawn Morimando for the Bisons (0-0, 6.00). Pregame coverage begins at 6:35 p.m. on the RailRiders Radio Network with Adam Marco, Adam Giardino and Joe Vasile.