IL1 Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders

SWB Game Notes

Published on April 28, 2013 under International League (IL1)
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders News Release


RAIN KINGS: Last night, the RailRiders and Knights saw their series opener washed out due to rain. That marks SWB's sixth weather-related postponement of the year and fourth on the road.

LAST TIME OUT: The Columbus Clippers used a strong start from southpaw T.J. House, and an eighth-inning home run from Matt Carson to beat the RailRiders on Friday night, 3-2. House tossed six innings and allowed just two runs in his Triple-A debut. He retired the first 11 batters of the game and finished the night with seven strikeouts. Zoilo Almonte and Addison Maruszak each recorded multi-hit games, but the offense went 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position. SWB starter Brett Marshall worked through control issues to go 5.1 innings. He walked five and struck out seven. He allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits in the no-decision.

GETTING THE CALL: Catcher Austin Romine was removed from last night's game in the third inning when the New York Yankees called him up after Francisco Cervelli exited the big league game with an injury. Romine was hitting .333 with a home run and four RBIs before his promotion.

LA VIDAL LOCA: Romine was not the only player going to the big leagues, as lefty Vidal Nuno had his contract purchased by the Yankees and was called up too. Nuno was named the International League Pitcher of the Week on Monday, and was 2-0 with a 1.54 earned run average in four starts. Nuno's call-up forced a rota- tion shuffle for the RailRiders as he was the scheduled starter for yesterday's scheduled series opener.

COLD IN THE CLUTCH: Scranton/Wilkes-Barre has struggled mightily with runners in scoring position to begin the season. As a team, the RailRiders are hit- ting just .212 in prime scoring chances, including 57 strikeouts in 189 at-bats. Outfielder Thomas Neal is the only RailRider to have an average above .278 in the situation. He is hitting .417 (10-for-24) with 13 RBIs with men at second and/ or third, but is currently on the disabled list.

MAHONEY DEBUT: With Neal sitting on the shelf, his absence created a need for a bat. Enter Kevin Mahoney who was promoted to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre from Double-A Trenton. Mahoney did not appear on Thursday night, but got his first Triple-A time and start on Friday evening. The former MAAC POY went 0-for-2 with a walk and a sacrifice bunt. Mahoney started at third, but a large rea- son he was promoted was his defensive versatility. He can play any infield position and has played the outfield multiple times as a professional.

CONTROVERSIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: The RailRiders tied Friday night's game in the sixth with a double by Luke Murton. With Murton at second and Dan Johnson at third base, Cody Johnson came to the plate. He hit a sinking line drive into center field, and Clippers center fielder Tim Fedroff made the diving attempt. Initially, his play was ruled a trapped ball, which allowed Johnson and Murton to score to give the RailRiders the lead. Clipper manager Chris Tremie sprinted out of the dugout to argue. After a short discussion by the umpiring crew, the call was reversed and ruled a catch, ending the inning and erasing two SWB runs. RailRiders skipper Dave Miley came out to argue and was then ejected for the second time this season.

GOIN' SOLO: The RailRiders have blasted 13 home runs this year thanks to Romine's round-tripper Thursday night. While its home/road splits are nearly dead even (seven at home/six on the road), nine of the 13 (69%) homers by Dave Miley's squad have been solo shots.

Today's Game One Probables

SWB: RHP Chris Bootcheck (2-0, 0.50) at CHA: RHP Simon Castro (0-3, 5.48)

THE OPENER: Chris Bootcheck has spent time in 10 different seasons at Triple-A in addition to 90 career big league appearances (three starts). The majority of his MLB time came with the organiza- tion that drafted him in the first round (20th overall) in 2000, the Angels. He has pitched in both Japan and Korea. His hometown of La Porte, Ind. also claims former big league All-Star and World Series champion Ron Reed among its sons. Bootcheck enters today second in the IL in ERA. He have up his first run on Mon. vs. SYR.

Simon Castro was a key figure in a trade that sent Carlos Quentin from the Chicago White Sox to the San Diego Padres. The Padres sent Castro, along with Pedro Hernandez, to the South Siders. He went 7-5 with a 3.85 earned run average in 21 starts last season between three levels, including a handful of starting nods with Charlotte. Last year, he went 1-1 with a 4.32 ERA for the Knights, striking out 16 batters in 25 innings. The long ball has been a cause of concern for Castro, who has allowed three so far this year and is two years removed from giving up 14 homers.

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International League Stories from April 28, 2013


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