IL1 Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders

SWB Game Notes

Published on September 5, 2015 under International League (IL1)
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders News Release


ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders blanked the Buffalo Bisons 2-0 on Friday night at PNC Field to close out the home portion of their schedule.

CAPUANO'S BRILLIANCE: Veteran Chris Capuano fired six scoreless, one-hit innings to earn the win for SWB. Capuano faced one over the minimum, using 71 pitches. Through six starts with the RailRiders, Capuano has limited opposing offenses to four runs over 28.1 innings (1.27) ERA.

MMM DONUTS...: Friday's skunking of the Bisons marked the 10th shutout win for the RailRiders in 2015. Three of those came at the expense of Buffalo. The Bisons' offense has been held scoreless a league-worst 20 times. SWB owns 79 shutout victories since 2009, tied with Syracuse for the most on the circuit in that span.

MEANWHILE, AT MONTAGE MOUNTAIN: 8,484 fans were on hand to watch the RailRiders polish off the sweep of Buffalo. A total of 402, 731 fans passed through the gates of PNC Field this summer, the second highest total since 2008. The crowd was the 18th fixed-seat sellout (7,115) and the club enjoyed six complete sellouts (10,000), a RailRiders era record. SWB went 18-4 in Moosic after the All-Star break.

MVG: The league announced Ben Gamel as both an IL postseason All-Star and its Rookie of the Year earlier this week. The 23-year-old co-leads MiLB with 14 triples and entered this series ranked among the IL's top three in batting average (T-6th, .298), hits (3rd, 147), slugging percentage (3rd, .468), extra-base hits (4th, 50), runs scored (3rd, 75) and total bases (2nd, 231). He leads the loop in outfield assists (13). The Neptune Beach, Fla. owns 10 round-trippers on the year, matching his 10 career home runs from the past five seasons (1,634 at-bats). His 50 multi-hit efforts lead the club. The usual leadoff man paces SWB with 61 RBIs. He is SWB's first IL ROY since Austin Jackson in 2009.

KINGS OF THE NORTH: The RailRiders have a chance to finish with a winning record against all five division rivals. SWB claimed the season sets already against Pawtucket (13-6), Rochester (11-9), Lehigh Valley (10-8) and Buffalo (9-8). The RailRiders own an 8-5 record against the Chiefs this year, but must win one this weekend to capture the season series.

A TOAST!: The division championship is the first in the RailRiders era of SWB. The club won five under the SWB Yankees moniker (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2012). The team won the IL North in 1992, 1999, 2002 and 2006 as the SWB Red Barons (Phillies). The 2008 SWB Yankees went on the claim the franchise's only Governor's Cup title with a 20-2 win over the Durham Bulls in North Carolina.

TALK ABOUT PLAYOFFS?!: The RailRiders will face the wildcard winner in the first round of the Governor's Cup playoffs beginning Wednesday, September 9. The RailRiders will host their first playoff game on Friday, September 11th, at 6:35 p.m. While their opponent has not been decided, SWB knows it will come from the IL West. Indianapolis and Columbus have both clinched a playoff berth. With three games to go, the Indians and Clippers are tied for the division lead. Down in the IL South, Norfolk and Gwinnett are separated by two games with three left. Norfolk finishes at Durham while Gwinnett plays host to Charlotte.

OFF THE RAILS: The RailRiders used two relievers to finish the Bisons on Friday night...Andury Acevedo allowed two base runners in a scoreless 1.1 innings...Chris Martin notched his second save (1.2IP, 0H, 0R)...Ali Castillo provided the only run SWB really needed by beating out a double play attempt to score Taylor Dugas in the third...Cito Culver added a sac-fly to CF in the 4th...

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International League Stories from September 5, 2015


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