RailRiders Start Fast, Top Syracuse
IL Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders

RailRiders Start Fast, Top Syracuse

Published on July 2, 2026 under International League (IL)
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders News Release


MOOSIC, PA - The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders defeated the Norfolk Tides 7-3 Thursday night at PNC Field. The RailRiders launched four home runs, and Yankees #3 Prospect Elmer Rodríguez pitched a quality start to give Scranton/Wilkes-Barre the victory.

The RailRiders opened the offense in the bottom of the first. With two outs, Marco Luciano doubled before Yanquiel Fernández rocked his team-leading 17th homer of the year over the center-field wall to take an early 2-0 edge.

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre extended their lead in the bottom of the second on Abrahan Gutierrez's first homer as a RailRider. His solo shot to left gave SWB a three-run advantage.

Norfolk drove a run home in the top of the third when Heston Kjerstad singled in Enrique Bradfield Jr. to climb to within two.

In the top of the sixth, Kjerstad homered on the first offering of the frame to cut the deficit to one. Norfolk put the tying run into scoring position with two outs, but Rodríguez fanned Silas Ardoin to hold the one-run advantage.

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre responded in the home half of the frame when Kenedy Corona lifted a solo shot to center field for a 4-2 cushion.

The Tides closed to within one again in the top of the seventh on an RBI base hit from Jeremiah Jackson, scoring Bradfield Jr. from third.

Cole Gabrielson recorded his first Triple-A RBI in the bottom of the seventh, giving the RailRiders a 5-3 lead. After Luciano and Tyler Hardman walked, Gabrielson ripped a base hit to center field, scoring Luciano. Tides reliever Jose Espada balked a pair of runners into scoring position, and Corona plated Hardman with a sacrifice fly to pull ahead 6-3.

Jonathan Ornelas was the only RailRider not to reach safely until the bottom of the eighth, when he blasted a solo homer to left field, putting SWB up four to cap the scoring.

Rodríguez (W, 4-3) gave up three runs on eight hits while striking out six in six and a third. Tides starter Cade Povich (L, 0-2) worked 4.1 innings, allowing three runs on seven hits and striking out five in defeat. Bradley Hanner (S, 3) struck out three through 1.1 innings to close the door.

The RailRiders continue their series with Norfolk Thursday night at PNC Field. Yankees #21 Prospect Brendan Beck (7-2) faces Norfolk's Yaqui Rivera (1-2). First pitch is slated for 7:05 PM. Tickets and promotional details are available at www.swbrailriders.com.

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders Record:

5-4

42-41

Check out the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders Statistics

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International League Stories from July 2, 2026


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