IL1 Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders

SWB Game Notes

Published on June 2, 2013 under International League (IL1)
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders News Release


DOUBLE DOSE: The RailRiders gave a double dose of extremes to the IL's top offense last night. Not only did SWB shut out the Durham Bulls until a two-out hit in the bottom of the ninth. It also hung a nine-spot on the board thanks to a 14-hit barrage to tie for its second-most lopsided win of the year, 9-1.

START ME UP: Starter Chien-Ming Wang (4-4) fired seven scoreless innings of six-hit ball. He pitched to contact, walking one and striking out two while inducing nine outs on the ground against four in the air.

SEVEN STRONG: The RailRiders have seen their starter go seven or more innings nine times this season. The only repeat name on the list is Wang, who has done it four times. SWB is 8-1 when its starting pitcher turns the trick.

TURNING IT AROUND: Wang allowed four runs on a season-high 12 hits at Toledo on May 16. In three starts since, Wang has allowed just one run over 19.2 IP for a 0.46 ERA. Opponents have hit .208 against him in that time. With last night's effort, Wang's 2.33 ERA ranks second in the IL. A big key for his success - his lack of walks. Wang has issued just 10 free passes in 58 innings. His 1.55 BB/9 IP rate trails only the man he made his MLB debut against back in 2005, Buffalo's Dave Bush.

A LITTLE HELP: Wang began the season 2-4 through his first seven starts thanks to very little run support. In that time, the RailRiders scored 15 runs (2.1/g). That made for the worst run support for any SWB starter with more than one nod. In winning his last two starts, Wang has received 17 runs of help (8.5/g). Wang had not won consecutive nods in more than a year since notching triumphs on both May 9 and May 14, 2012 with Syracuse (Washington Nationals). The first of those wins came against Durham.

WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN: The RailRiders plated nine runs on 14 hits in tying the four-game series at one game apiece. But it could have been worse as the RailRiders saw a season-high four double plays turned against them on the night. Three of those twin killings concluded innings.

MULTIPLICITY: En route to 14 hits as a squad, five different RailRiders enjoyed multi-hit efforts. That included Melky Mesa's third three-hit performance of the season and his first since May 10. He logged three RBIs for the first time as a RailRider. Mesa also homered for the sixth time, as did Zoilo Almonte. They now share the team lead in homers along with Dan Johnson and Corban Joseph.

RISPY BUSINESS: In addition to their pure volume, the RailRiders got clutch knocks. The team was 5-for-8 (.625) with runners in scoring position.

ADD IT UP: Addison Maruszak was a late addition to the lineup when Joseph was scratched. He delivered a double and scored in the team's four-run seventh. He has hit safely in six straight games, connecting at .350 (7-for-20) rate with three doubles, four RBIs and five runs scored. He has lifted his season-long contact clip from .194 on May 17 to .225 entering tonight, his best mark since May 11.

LOPSIDED LASHING: SWB's 9-1 victory made for Durham's largest margin of defeat since a 10-1 taming at the hands of Pawtucket on May 2 and the Bulls' worst home setback of 2013. Durham had not lost by eight or more at home since a 10-1 loss to Lehigh Valley on July 19, 2012.

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International League Stories from June 2, 2013


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