RAILRIDERS EDGE ROCHESTER 8-3

Castro, Bird Homer to Spark Seven-Run Fourth

Magic Number Slimmed to Two

Rochester, N.Y. – The SWB RailRiders (Triple-A/New York Yankees) hammered the host Rochester Red Wings (Minnesota Twins) at Frontier Field on Thursday afternoon, 8-3. The victory dropped the RailRiders’ magic number to clinch a playoff spot to two, while the magic number to lock down the IL North Division fell to five. The RailRiders (81-49) split the four-game series with the second-place Red Wings (75-56). The magic number to clinch a playoff spot could plummet to one if the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Philadelphia Phillies) lose to the Syracuse Chiefs (Washington Nationals) tonight.

Down 1-0, the RailRiders assembled a seven-run fourth inning to snap their scoreless-innings streak at 17. The frame began with back-to-back homers by rehabbers Starlin Castro and Greg Bird. All nine men in the order would reach base before Rochester recorded an out. Starter Chris Heston (0-2) gave up seven runs (six earned) on eight hits and two walks over three innings plus eight hitters.

SWB starter Jordan Montgomery went three innings by design in his first Triple-A appearance since he started and won the 2016 Gildan Triple-A National Championship Game. He gave up one run on two hits. He walked none, struck out three and threw 47 pitches (31 strikes). Reliever Joe Mantiply (6-5) got the win with four frames of two-run ball.

The RailRiders return home on Friday, Aug. 25 to host the Chiefs at 7:05 p.m. The Glow-in-the-Park Friday will sport the RailRiders in their neon-green-and-black best. The first 2,500 fans through the gates will receive a Gary Sanchez Baby Bomber bobblehead courtesy of Dickey’s Barbecue Pit. The contest will feature the LEGO Tour. After the game, all in attendance will be treated to a fireworks show thanks to King’s College. For tickets or more information, please call 570-969-BALL (2255) or visit swbrailriders.com.

OFF THE RAILS:

MLB rehabber Greg Bird went 1-for-3 with a homer and two walks. Over eight games on his rehab he has gone 9-for-24 (.375) with two doubles, three homers, six RBIs, four walks and seven runs scored.

The rehabbing Starlin Castro went 2-for-4 with a solo homer. He was lifted in favor of the pinch-hitting Jonathan Diaz in the eighth. In six games on his rehab assignment he has gone 8-for-24 (.333).

Ji-Man Choi bashed his team-best 15^th homer leading off the fifth. He finished 1-for-4 with a walk and two runs scored.

Five RailRiders finished the game with multiple hits. Beyond Castro, Mason Williams went 2-for-5 with a two-run double. Jake Cave finished 2-for-3 with an RBI, two walks and a run scored. Eddy Rodriguez posted a 2-for-5 day at the plate with an RBI. Mark Payton enjoyed a 2-for-5 afternoon with a run scored.