IL Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders

Six Homers Vault RailRiders over Rochester

July 23, 2021 - International League (IL)
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders News Release


MOOSIC, Pa. - The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders hit a season-high six home runs and cruised to a 14-5 win over the Rochester Red Wings on Friday night at PNC Field.

Switch-hitter Andrew Velazquez hit home runs while batting both right-handed and left-handed, becoming the second player in SWB franchise history to switch-hit home runs in a game.

The RailRiders jumped out to an early lead when Armando Alvarez struck a three-run home run off Tomshaw. It was Alvarez' third home run of the series following a two-homer performance on Tuesday night.

Rochester crept closer with two runs in the top of the third off Glenn Otto on a two-run triple by Jake Noll. Otto (1-0) was terrific in his first start at PNC Field, striking out eight and walking one in 6.0 innings of work. He allowed three runs on seven hits to record the third quality start for SWB pitchers in the last four games.

SWB extended its lead to 5-2 in the bottom of the third on a two-run homer from Donny Sands. Thomas Milone and Velazquez (batting right-handed) both went deep in the fourth, and Alvarez added an RBI double to run the lead to 9-3.

Velazquez clubbed his second homer leading off the sixth (batting left-handed) against Ronald Pena, and the RailRiders tacked on two more against Nick Goody in the seventh to extend the lead to 12-3. Frederick Cuevas homered against Goody in the frame for his first career home run above the High-A level.

The RailRiders added two more runs in the bottom of the eighth on a two-run double from Kyle Holder to extend the advantage to 14-3. Holder finished 2-for-5 with two doubles, a run scored and a walk.

Braden Bristo threw two scoreless innings of relief in back of Otto, and Stephen Ridings closed out the game despite allowing a two-run home run to Adrian Sanchez in the ninth.

POSTGAME NOTES: Velazquez is the first player in SWB history to switch-hit home runs in a game since Darren Burton accomplished the feat on April 23, 1998 against Rochester... The six home runs hit by the RailRiders were one shy of the franchise record of seven, set on May 31, 1998 at Toledo.

The RailRiders continue their series with the Red Wings on Saturday night at PNC Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. RHP Brody Koerner (2-3, 3.62) climbs the hill for SWB, while Rochester counters with LHP Sean Nolin (3-2, 4.17). For tickets and more information, call (570) 969-BALL or slide to www.swbrailriders.com/tickets.

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders Record:

44-22

Check out the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders Statistics



International League Stories from July 23, 2021


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