IL1 Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders

SWB Game Notes

Published on August 4, 2015 under International League (IL1)
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders News Release


SUNDAY STORY: The RailRiders scored three unanswered runs to best the Clippers on Sunday afternoon, 4-3. SWB took the three-game series, 2-1.

LORD I WAS BORN A GAMELING MAN: Ben Gamel posted his MiLB-best 13th triple. He has hit safely in eight of nine, going 13-for-33 (.394) as his average has spiked back up to .290. He has not had a higher contact clip since he closed play on June 28 at .292. Ten of his triples have come at PNC Field. He entered the season with 13 career triples over five seasons and 415 games played. Gamel and Pawtucket's Bryce Brentz co-lead the IL with 11 outfield assists.

THAT'S A START: Chris Capuano fired four innings, allowing a run on three hits and no walks for a no decision. The southpaw struck out four while throwing 50 pitches (33 strikes).

WINNER, WINNER: The comeback gave the victory to Joel De La Cruz (7-0), who allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits over 3.2 innings. He tied Luis Severino (7-0) and Kyle Davies (7-6) for the team lead in wins. Johnny Barbato posted the final four outs for his third save. Barbato and Jacob Lindgren are tied for third on the team in saves behind the since-traded Jose Ramirez (10) and current New York Yankee Nick Rumbelow (7).

THE 'PEN IS MIGHTIER: De La Cruz and Barbato combined to toss five innings and allowed only one earned run. The 'pen has allowed just four runs (two earned) over its last 37 innings since the July 23 win at Indianapolis. The 'pen owns a collective 2.81 ERA compared to a 3.83 mark for the starting staff.

TIGHTROPE WALKING: The RailRiders improved to an IL-best 20-13 (.606) in one-run games. Six of the RailRiders' last 11 games have been decided by a single score.

SERIESOUS BIZ: SWB has exceeded its win total against Columbus from last season. The 2014 RailRiders went 1-7 versus the Clippers, getting outscored 79-39. Going back to 2013, the Clippers had claimed 14 straight meetings before SWB won the final 2014 clash, a 5-1 final on Aug. 10 in Moosic. That made for Columbus' longest successful run in series history. It trumped a 12-game domination from June 1, 1993-April 9, 1994 when the then-Red Barons got outscored 97-27.

CLOSE CALLS: Despite the lopsided nature of wins and losses in recently, the RailRiders and Clippers have seen 16 of their last 28 clashes decided by one run.

FIRST TIME IN A LONG TIME: The RailRiders' series win over Columbus made for the SWB franchise's first against the Clippers in NEPA since the last Red Barons swept Dave Miley's Clippers in a four-game set April 18-21, 2006.

HOW THE WEST WAS WON: SWB has guaranteed itself a winning record against IL West squads. At 14-7, even an 0-6 road trip would leave it a game above .500. The home portion of the schedule saw the RailRiders post a 9-4 mark against IL West teams at PNC Field with winning marks against Toledo (3-0), Columbus (2-1) and Indianapolis (2-1). They split four games with Louisville (2-2).

LOOKING AHEAD: After this road trip, the RailRiders will face only divisional competition the rest of the way. They will have 28 games left with the home-road divide split evenly at 14 apiece. The end of the schedule will be loaded with road games for the IL's best road team. Eleven of the squad's last 15 games will be played outside of NEPA.

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International League Stories from August 4, 2015


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