Won Down: RailRiders Plate 12 in Opener Victory

Greg Allen homered to lead off Opening Day in Buffalo for the first home run by any MiLB player this year.

March 29, 2024

BUFFALO, NY (March 29) - The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders topped the Buffalo Bisons 12-9 in a tremendous Opening Day contest. The RailRiders recorded 13 hits, including three home runs, with six steals. Greg Allen smacked the first home run of the Minor League season. On the fourth pitch of the game,

Greg Allen smacked the first home run of the Minor League season. On the fourth pitch of the game, Allen put the RailRiders up 1-0 with a blast to left field.

First RailRiders AB in 2024

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Greg Allen HR 💣 pic.twitter.com/bs1K6l6aat
— SWB RailRiders (@swbrailriders) March 29, 2024

Buffalo came out hot in the bottom half plating five runs on three hits. Rafael Lantigua worked a walk and came across the plate on homer from Spencer Horwitz. With the bases loaded, Payton Henry walked in a run for a 3-1 advantage. Then Cam Eden drove in a pair with a single to right field.

The RailRiders battled back with a four-run third. Brandon Lockridge walked and Allen was hit by a pitch to reach. A two-run double from Caleb Durbin was his first Triple-A hit. Carlos Narvaez followed with a sacrifice fly to put SWB down just 5-4.

The Bisons were back again quickly thanks to a double from Addison Barger. It was 7-4.

It was the fifth frame for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre that was the game changer. Seven runs on six hits made it 11-7. Jose Rojas led off with his first long ball of the season. Jordan Groshans walked and Jeter Downs singled to put two on. Lockridge came up big with a two-run double. Allen singled and stole a bag to put two in scoring position. Narvaez followed with an RBI base hit. Then Everson Pereira notched his first home run plating two for the RailRiders third jack of the game.

OFFENSIVE EXPLOSION 💥

No. 6 @Yankees prospect Everson Pereira extends SWB's lead with a two-run shot. pic.twitter.com/Aom8kADXkC
— SWB RailRiders (@swbrailriders) March 29, 2024

In the home half, Buffalo again drove in a run thanks to a bases loaded walk from Horwitz.

SWB tacked on another in the sixth with Durbin’s third RBI, this time on a base hit. It was 12-8.

The Bisons fought back for a run in the eighth, but it just wasn’t enough. The RailRiders took the first game of the season with a 12-9 victory.

Will Warren got the opening day nod recording just one out. He allowed five runs on three hits and three walks. Josh Maciejewski impressed in relief. The southpaw had two and two thirds clean innings. Oddanier Mosqueda (W, 1-0) and Dennis Santana each pitched a frame. . Ron Marinaccio tossed two shutout frames. Nick Ramirez allowed just one run in his two innings of work.

Buffalo utilized their #1 prospect in Ricky Tiedemann. The lefty gave up one run in 2.2 innings, striking out three. Brandon Eisert (L, 0-1) took the loss allowing seven runs on six hits.

The RailRiders continue their 2024 season on the road at Sahlen Field Saturday afternoon at 1:05 P.M. when they take on the Buffalo Bisons. The team is set for their home opener at PNC Field on Tuesday, April 2, against the Syracuse Mets. First pitch is set for 6:35 P.M. Tickets and more information are available online at www.swbrailriders.com