RAILRIDERS WIN 8TH STRAIGHT

Red-Hot RailRiders Win MiLB-Best Eighth Straight

Haynes Sizzles Again, SWB Posts 9-1 Road Trip

Buffalo, N.Y. – The SWB RailRiders (Triple-A/New York Yankees) edged the Buffalo Bisons (Toronto Blue Jays) on Sunday evening, 3-2. The RailRiders’ (52-32) MiLB-best eighth straight win was also their 21^st in 26 games and cemented their first four-game sweep at Buffalo since 2009. The Bisons (46-38) have lost four straight games at Coca-Cola Field for the first time since dropping four in a row from May 3-6 including two setbacks to SWB.

Gary Sanchez gave the RailRiders a 1-0 lead with a first-inning RBI groundout. Buffalo tied it in the second when Jesus Montero avoided a pickoff by Sanchez at second base and during a rundown was credited with a steal of third before taking the plate on a sun-influenced missed-catch error by third baseman Pete Kozma.

SWB scored a pair of runs in the fourth on run-scoring hits by Jonathan Diaz and Donovan Solano. Buffalo made it 3-2 in the fifth when Casey Kotchman scored on a passed ball.

For the second straight start, right-hander Kyle Haynes (3-3) both fired seven innings and got the win. He allowed two unearned runs on seven scattered hits and no walks while whiffing six.

The lead was in peril in the ninth when Buffalo loaded the bases against Kirby Yates. But Giovanny Gallegos tossed just one pitch and got Alexi Casilla to fly out to left for his second save.

Buffalo reliever Ben Rowen (0-3) suffered the loss.

The RailRiders return home for a seven-game homestand starting on the Fourth of July against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Philadelphia Phillies). Right-hander Luis Severino (4-0, 3.16) will get the start against southpaw James Russell (2-4, 4.28). 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.

OFF THE RAILS:

SWB stands 20 games above .500 for the first time since the 2012 North Division champs finished their season at 84-60.

The RailRiders’ eight-game winning streak is the longest for the franchise since the 2013 unit won eight in a row from April 29-May 5 at Charlotte/Gwinnett in consecutive four-game sweeps.

Depending upon results later tonight, the RailRiders will wake up tomorrow owning at least a share of the best active winning streak in the minors. The Yankees’ Advanced-A Tampa club also entered Sunday on a seven-game winning streak.

The RailRiders outscored Buffalo 18-5 on the series.