RailRiders shut out Chiefs in series opener

The Syracuse Chiefs, the Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, fell to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders on Tuesdaynight, 5-0. Chiefs pitcher Caleb Clay allowed just three earned runs, but the Syracuse bats were slowed by RailRiders starter Jose Ramirez.

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (35-42) got on the scoreboard early in the top of the second inning. After consecutive singles from Dan Johnson and Randy Ruiz, Thomas Neal scorched a hard ground ball to first basemen Carlos Rivero, who was unable to make the play. Johnson scored on the error for the RailRiders first run. The next batter, Addison Maruszak, lifted a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Neal from third to extend Scranton/Wilkes-Barre's lead to 2-0.

The RailRiders tacked on three insurance runs in the top of the ninth inning. After a two-out single by Maruszak, Walter Ibarra drew a walk. After pitcher Tyler Robertson replaced Clay, Corey Patterson chopped a double down the right-field line, extending the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre lead to 3-0. Following a JR Murphy walk, Fernando Martinez blooped a single into center field to plate both Ibarra and Patterson.

After one scoreless inning from Syracuse (29-47) starter Christian Garcia, Clay tossed over seven and two-thirds innings of three run ball. The Chiefs' bats were slowed by the RailRiders' Ramirez, who allowed just three hits over six innings of shutout baseball. 

Syracuse and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre continue their four-day series with a doubleheader on Wednesday starting at 5:00. Chiefs right-hander Yunesky Maya is scheduled to start game one against left-hander David Huff. Syracuse sends right-hander Jeff Mandel to face right-hander Chris Bootcheck in game two.