IL1 Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders

Grice Leads Power Surge in Rochester

Published on June 19, 2013 under International League (IL1)
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders News Release


Rochester, N.Y. - Earlier this month, Cody Grice was a .196 hitter for High-A Tampa. On Wednesday night in Rochester, he reached rare air for the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (New York Yankees). Grice became the second RailRider to homer twice in a game and the first to both hit a grand slam and drive in six runs in a 10-7 defeat of the Red Wings (Minnesota Twins) at Frontier Field. The RailRiders (32-39) went yard a season-best four times on the night, while the Red Wings (36-38) once again fell short of reaching the .500 mark for the first time this season.

Ten RailRiders batted in the first against Liam Hendriks, who was pitching for the first time since May 9 (elbow inflammation). The newest RailRider, former No. 1-overall Mets prospect Fernando Martinez, delivered the first run with a sac fly. Dan Johnson later singled in a score but Grice delivered the big blow with a two-out grand slam to left.

The Red Wings worked 39 pitches out of SWB starter Jose Ramirez in the home first, but only plated a pair in the process. The first came on the third straight full-count walk issued by Ramirez, as his free pass to Dan Rohlfing pushed Chris Colabello home. SWB alumnus Doug Bernier then singled Deibinson Romero home to make it 6-2.

Rochester's Jeff Clement began the third with an impressive at-bat against Ramirez. After falling behind 0-2, he fouled off eight pitches during a 13-pitch plate appearance that ended with a double to right. A 6-5-4-1-6 fielder's choice later, Ramirez was out of the game with just 2.1 innings under his belt. Jim Miller entered and allowed three straight hits as the Red Wings drew within two, 6-4. But after Drew Butera's RBI single, the RailRiders' bullpen did not allow another hit until the ninth. Miller, Dellin Betances (5-4) and Josh Spence combined to retire 13 straight men, including three perfect innings by the victorious Betances.

In the middle innings, Walter Ibarra, J.R. Murphy and Grice all homered to make it 10-4. Grice delivered a two-run shot to left in the fifth against Pedro Hernandez. Hendriks (1-4) went four innings and allowed seven runs on nine hits to take the loss.

Chris Hermann sparked the home ninth with a double off of Spence. Two outs later, Clement and Rohlfing walked to load the bases and Bernier delivered a bases-clearing triple to right. Rochester skipper Gene Glynn had Ray Olmedo pinch hit for James Beresford, a move that resulted in a walk and the tying run coming to the plate. But Butera flied out to center as the RailRiders held on.

The short series and road trip concludes on Thursday night at 7:05 p.m. SWB southpaw David Huff (3-1, 3.28) will get the ball against right-hander Kyle Gibson (6-5, 3.26). The Voice of the RailRiders, John Sadak, will be on the call with pregame coverage starting at 6:05 p.m. on NEPA Sports Radio - The GAME, Northeast PA's largest sports radio network: 100.7 FM, 1340 WYCK-AM, 1400 WICK-AM, 1440 WCDL-AM and 106.7 FM.

OFF THE RAILS:

Walter Ibarra and J.R. Murphy combined to go 5-for-10 with a double and two homers at the top of the RailRiders' lineup.

Cody Grice had five RBIs in 21 games with Advanced-A Tampa earlier this season and had two home runs on his three-year pro career.

The only other RailRider to homer twice in a game this season was Thomas Neal on May 31 at Durham. Neal is now in the big league with the New York Yankees.

No RailRider had more than four RBIs in a game until Grice delivered six on Wednesday night.

Addison Maruszak went 0-for-4 with a walk as his nine-game hit streak ended. He had hit in 20 of his prior 21.

Randy Ruiz enjoyed another multi-hit night with a pair of singles. In four games since joining the team, the former Rochester star is 7-for-15 (.467) as a RailRider.

Check out the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



International League Stories from June 19, 2013


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central