IL1 Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders

Two Big Innings Cost RailRiders in Series Opener

Published on May 23, 2013 under International League (IL1)
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders News Release


Moosic, Pa. - The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (Triple-A/New York Yankees) dropped their 10th game in 11 contests as they fell on Thursday night to the Durham Bulls, 8-5. The RailRiders had the tying run in the on-deck circle when the skies at PNC Field opened up, and the game was later ended due to the continuing rain.

The Bulls raced in front with four runs in the first inning. Rich Thompson led off the game with a single up the middle of the infield, and then stole second base. After Brandon Guyer was hit by a pitch, Vince Belnome lined a triple to left-center field, plating both Thompson and Guyer. Two outs later, Shelley Duncan capped the inning with a home run to left field. Duncan won the International League Most Valuable Player Award with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in 2009.

Durham doubled their lead with four more runs in the fourth. Cole Figueroa led off with a single, and advanced to third when Juan Apodaca followed with a single of his own. Thompson then reached on a fielder's choice, Apodaca was out at second but the play allowed Figueroa to score from third. One out later, Belnome walked, which setup a towering three-run home run off the bat of Wil Myers. His fifth homer of the season gave the Bulls an 8-0 lead.

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre pulled two runs back in the bottom of the fourth. Brennan Boesch led off with a single, and one out later, moved to second on a groundball out by Ronnier Mustelier. Josh Bell followed with a double to left field, scoring Boesch from second base. Bell came around to score when Thomas Neal hit a double of his own to right-center field.

The RailRiders inched closer with a run in the sixth. Mustelier led off with a double, and then moved to third on a wild pitch. Bell followed with a sacrifice fly to center field, which plated Mustelier and cut the Durham advantage to 8-3.

SWB rallied in the ninth, but came up short, in part due to weather. Melky Mesa led off the frame with a triple, and scored when Alberto Gonzalez followed with a double to the left-center field gap. Two outs later, Boesch doubled to left-center, driving home Gonzalez. The play put the tying run in the on-deck circle, but the steady rain that had overcome PNC Field got stronger, and the umpires brought the tarp out on the field. After a 38-minute delay, the game was called.

Mike Montgomery (1-0) was making his first start at the Triple-A level since April 7. A long disabled list stint had interrupted his season, but he worked five innings to earn the win.

Brett Marshall (2-1), who last pitched in his Major League debut on May 15, started the game for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and picked up the loss. He allowed eight runs on eight hits over four innings of work.

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and Durham will play game two of their four-game series on Friday evening. Fireworks presented by Jack Williams Tire & Auto will follow the contest, which is slated for a 7:05 p.m. first pitch. Graham Stoneburner (2-2, 3.00) will start for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, while Durham will send Alex Colome (3-5, 2.86) to the hill.

Check out the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



International League Stories from May 23, 2013


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central