SWB Game Notes - August 21, 2026
IL Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders

SWB Game Notes - August 21, 2026

Published on August 21, 2026 under International League (IL)
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders News Release


Charlotte Knights (24-24, 66-57) vs Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (26-19, 63-56)

August 21, 2026 | Game 121 | Home Game 59 | PNC Field | First Pitch 7:05 P.M.

RH Jonathan Cannon (5-5, 5.22) vs RH Alexander Cornielle (2-3, 3.54)

Cannon (8/16 @ ROC): 5.0 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 2 HR, 3 BB, 8 SO, 85 P (50 S) [Red Wings, 7-5]

Cornielle (8/16 @ LHV): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 SO, 14 P (8 S) [Suspended: Rain]

LAST TIME OUT

MOOSIC, PA (August 20, 2026) - The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders defeated the Charlotte Knights 2-0 in a weather-shortened Thursday night game at PNC Field. A quality start from RailRiders pitcher Adam Kloffenstein and an Anthony Volpe two-run homer in the fifth highlighted the night, as Scranton/Wilkes-Barre snapped a four-game losing streak.

After five scoreless frames, Volpe launched a two-out, two-run homer in the bottom of the fifth against Adisyn Coffey to break the scoreless game. Oswaldo Carbera walked to lead off before Volpe lifted his fourth homer of the year, giving SWB a 2-0 lead.

Kloffenstein worked in and out of trouble throughout the night, overcoming a lead-off error in the first and a bases-loaded jam in the third. He left two Knights stranded in the fourth after freezing Dru Baker with a called strike sweeper, and Ryan Galanie was left in scoring position to end the fifth. A pair of strikeouts bookended the sixth to hold the two-run advantage.

The RailRiders could not plate any runs against Knights starter Noah Schultz, who allowed base runners in the first three frames but retired the side in the fourth. Schultz pitched 4.0 scoreless innings, allowing three hits while striking out two.

MLB Rehabber Cody Bellinger was the designated hitter going 1-for-3 in the contest. Bellinger turned on a sinker to right field in his first plate appearance, but was out at second a batter later in an inning-ending double play. In the third, Bellinger launched a sweeper deep to right-center that was caught at the wall. Bellinger saw only two pitches against Coffey, popping up to the shortstop to end the fifth.

Kloffenstein (3-9) threw 6.0 scoreless frames, giving up three hits, three walks, and striking out eight. Hayden Merda (S, 1) worked a clean seventh to earn the save. Coffey (3-3) pitched 2.0 innings, surrendering the Volpe homer in the loss.

NEWS AND NOTES

BELLI'S COMING BACK - Cody Bellinger made his first rehab appearance with the RailRiders last night, going 1-for-3 as the designated hitter. He is scheduled to play again tonight and looks to take left field. Bellinger has been on the Injured List since July 26 with a left hamstring strain. He had an excellent start to the season and not only made the AL All-Star game and was named MVP. In 102 games, Belli batted .259 and made the majority of his starts in left field.

ALEXANDER IS AVAILABLE - Alexander Cornielle technically had a two-start week last week. He pitched the opener against Lehigh Valley, throwing five innings of one-run ball. Cornielle then took the mound for the Sunday game, but only went one inning before the game was suspended due to rain. He tossed just 14 pitches with a pair of strikeouts in his half. Cornielle, who joined SWB mid-June, was signed as a minor league free agent on December 17 and began the season on the Injured List. He pitched on a rehab assignment before being activated on June 11 and optioned to Double-A for one appearance.

SHUTOUT SPORT - After not allowing the Knights to score a run last night, the RailRiders recorded their eighth shutout victory of the season. The RailRiders have been kept off the board just four times this season. Iowa is 5-2 in shutout situations.

CATCHING TRANSITIONS - SWB now has four active catchers on their roster. After the Yankees traded Christian Bethancourt to the Pirates for cash consideration on Wednesday, RailRiders reinstated Abrahan Gutierrez and Edinson Duran from the development list. It seems like J.C. Escarra will be the main backstop with Mitch Garver subbing in.

THE KLOFF AT HOME - Starter Adam Kloffenstein rules PNC Field with his 3.42 ERA. Last night, he tossed six shutout innings marking his third quality start in Moosic. At home, Kloffenstein has pitched 52.2 innings throughout eleven starts with just 30 walks compared to 59 strikeouts. Kloffenstein was signed as a free agent in Decemeber.

MERDA MEANS BUSINESS - Hayden Merda recorded his first Triple-A save after pitching a quiet seventh inning last night in only his third appearance for SWB. Merda has had 32 outings this season for a 3.67 earned run average. In 41.2 innings of work, he walked just 21 batters compared to 67 strikeouts. Merda, 26 was drafted in the 17th round in 2022 out of Azusa Pacific University.

DUKE'S DASHING - Duke Ellis tied a record for single-season stolen bases, after adding one more to his total last night. His 44 tied a record set by Tommy Barrett in 1989. Barrett did so in 120 games, whereas Ellis marked his in 81 contests. Ellis also holds the franchise record for 86 total with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in 157 games. The prior record was held by Nick Punto who stole 82 bags in 263 games. Ellis's personal record is 57 in a single year done back in 2024.

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International League Stories from August 21, 2026


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