BULLS DEFEAT RAILRIDERS 8-4

 

SWB Lets Early Lead Slip in Loss to Bulls

Pete Kozma Notches Fifth Straight Multi-Hit Effort

 

Moosic, Pa. – The SWB RailRiders (Triple-A/ New York Yankees) scored four runs while batting around in the second inning, but could not hold on in an 8-4 loss to the Durham Bulls. Thurday’s setback at PNC Field dropped the RailRiders (61-38) to 1-3 against the Bulls (45-55) in 2016.

Luis Cessa (4-2) shouldered his worst defeat of the season. The right-hander was hit for three home runs and allowed seven runs, five earned, on eight total hits across six innings. He whiffed eight. Justin Marks (4-9) took home the victory despite allowing four runs through five. He walked four, yielded four hits and struck out four.

SWB took advantage of an erratic Marks in the second inning as Cesar Puello and Tyler Austin set the table with consecutive walks. Jake Cave scored Puello with a double to center and Jose Rosario unleashed a two-run double down the left-field line. The RailRiders added two more base runners before Marks limited the damage by retiring the final three.

Durham responded with three off of Cessa in the third frame. Dayron Varona doubled home Daniel Robertson and Taylor Motter cut the deficit to one with a towering, two-run homer to left.

Richie Shaffer tied the game with a solo shot to straightaway center in the fourth. Jaff Decker walked and came around on a single by Robertson and sacrifice fly to center off Johnny Field for a 5-4 lead.

The Bulls pushed the advantage to 7-4 in the sixth thanks to a two-run homer by Robertson. Decker doubled and scored on a single by Field in the eighth to cap the scoring.

Hitting second for the second time this season, Kozma finished 2-for-5 and extended his multi-hit games streak to five.

The RailRiders continue their series with the Durham Bulls on Friday night at PNC Field. SWB right-hander Brady Lail (3-2, 3.86) will face fellow righty Jaime Schultz (5-4, 3.39). It’s “New Jersey Devils Night” with a special appearances by Devils head coach John Hynes, alumni and mascot. The RailRiders will wear their glow-in-dark uniforms as part of “Glow in the Park Night.” Postgame fireworks follow, presented by Jack Williams Tire. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. For tickets or more information, please call 570-969-BALL (2255) or visit swbrailriders.com.