RAILRIDERS CONTIUE TO ROLL

Diaz Goes Deep as SWB Sweeps

Severino Wins, Improves to 4-0

Syracuse, N.Y. – Luis Severino settled in after a rough first frame and the offense erupted late as the SWB RailRiders (Triple-A/New York Yankees) blew out the Syracuse Chiefs (Washington Nationals) on Wednesday night, 11-2. The RailRiders (48-32) posted their 17^th win in 22 games to complete a three-game sweep. The Chiefs (36-42), who never held a lead in the series, suffered just their second home sweep of the season.

Jake Cave’s two-out, bases-loaded single in the first gave the RailRiders a 2-0 lead against former SWB hurler Jaron Long. But Severino then saw the first four Chiefs batters post hits with RBI blows from Brian Goodwin and Matt Skole to equalize the contest in the bottom of the first. Pedro Severino’s two-out walk loaded the bases that frame before Severino whiffed Zach Collier swinging to leave the bases loaded.

That strikeout ignited a string of 11 straight Chiefs retired by Severino (4-0) who posted a quality start. He gave up seven hits and one walk while striking out eight over six frames.

An unearned run snapped the tie in the sixth. Pete Kozma reached on a Jason Martinson error and later scored when Donovan Solano barely beat a would-be inning-ending-double-play throw on a 6-4 fielder’s choice.

A five-run seventh more than salted the advantage as all nine men in the SWB order came to the plate. The inning included a Kozma sac fly, an Erik Davis (6-3) wild pitch that plated Cesar Puello, an RBI single from Aaron Judge and a critical two-run fielding error by right fielder Caleb Ramsey.

In the eighth, Puello connected on a sac fly and Jonathan Diaz bashed a two-run homer, his first big fly as a RailRider.

SWB’s season-long 10-game road trip continues with the first of a four-game series against the white-hot Buffalo Bisons (Toronto Blue Jays) at 7:05 p.m. on Thursday. SWB southpaw Phil Coke (3-2, 1.39) will face right-hander Roberto Hernandez (4-3, 4.07). Buffalo has won nine straight games, the longest active winning streak in the minors.

The RailRiders return home for a seven-game homestand starting on the Fourth of July against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Philadelphia Phillies). The game includes post-game fireworks presented by the PA Lottery; foam light-up sticks to the first 2,500 fans through the gates thanks to ShurSave Supermarkets; USA-themed jerseys worn by the RailRiders; and Fourth-of-July hats worn by the team that will be auctioned off during the game. For tickets or more information, please call 570-969-BALL (2255) or visit swbrailriders.com.