RAILRIDERS WIN.... FIRST PLACE TIE

MiLB-Best 18^th Shutout Forces First-Place Tie

Higashioka Homers in Return to Triple-A

Allentown, Pa. – The SWB RailRiders (Triple-A/New York Yankees) logged their MiLB-best 18^th shutout and forged a first-place tie with their foe after a 7-0 blowout of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Philadelphia Phillies) at Coca-Cola Park on Wednesday night. The RailRiders (68-43) snapped a season-worst five-game losing skid while the IronPigs (68-43) lost for just the fourth time in 20 games since the All-Star break. The teams share both the International League North penthouse and the best record in Triple-A baseball.

Southpaw starter Dietrich Enns (5-2) set the tone with five innings of one-hit ball. He got the only runs he would need in the second inning. Donovan Solano’s groundout drove home Ike Davis for the first score while Kyle Higashioka, in his first Triple-A game since mid-June, followed with a two-run homer off impromptu starter Gregory Infante (2-1).

Davis drove in a third-inning run with a sac fly and three more runs crossed in the fifth when nine RailRiders came to the plate. Run-scoring hits by Tyler Austin, Pete Kozma and Jake Cave rounded out the scoring.

Relievers Kirby Yates, Giovanny Gallegos and Jonathan Holder polished off the two-hitter.

The series concludes at 7:05 p.m. on Thursday night. SWB’s Kyle Haynes (4-4, 4.73) will face fellow right-hander David Buchanan (8-5, 3.82). The RailRiders return home for a six-game homestand starting Friday, Aug. 5 against the Syracuse Chiefs at 7:05 p.m. The RailRiders will wear their alternate black-and-green jerseys on the Glow-in-the-Park Friday. The RailRiders will celebrate the Olympic Opening Ceremonies with a USA replica jersey giveaway to the first 2,500 fans through the gates presented by Norwegian Cruise Lines. After the game, all in attendance will be treated to a fireworks show courtesy of Jack Williams Tire and Auto and Yokohama Tire. For tickets or more information, please call 570-969-BALL (2255) or visit swbrailriders.com.

OFF THE RAILS:

Including his All-Star run with Double-A Trenton, Dietrich Enns posted his 12^th overall victory on the season. His dozen triumphs tie him for fourth in the minors. Current Trenton hurler Chance Adams also has 12 wins.

Clint Frazier picked up his first hit as a Yankees’ minor leaguer with a line-drive single to right in the third inning.

Aaron Judge went 2-for-5 with a double and a run scored. He has gone 3-for-8 with a pair of two-baggers since he came off the disabled list on Tuesday.

Jake Cave halted a 1-for-30 overall funk with a bases-loaded RBI single in the fifth. He has gone 11-for-18 (.611) with 20 RBIs in bases-loaded at-bats between Double-A (4-for-6, 2-2B, 8 RBIs) and Triple-A (7-for-12, 12 RBIs).

Kyle Higashioka now owns a 13-game hitting streak at Triple-A, the longest active run on the team.

Tyler Austin finished 3-for-4 with a double, an RBI, a walk and two runs scored.

The RailRiders hit .169 and scored nine runs over their first five games on the road trip, going 26-for-154 with seven extra-base hits. They went 12-for-36 (.333) on Wednesday with four extra-base knocks.

SWB’s 18 shutouts extend the team’s single-season franchise record.

Lehigh Valley had been blanked an IL-low four times entering the night.

Gary Sanchez started as the Yankees’ DH in their 9-5 defeat of the Mets on Wednesday night. He singled in the seventh inning off of Hansel Robles for his first MLB hit.

Luis Severino fired 4.1 innings of one-hit ball for the Bombers en route to his first MLB victory of the season. Severino (1-6) gave up one unearned run, walked one and whiffed five.

The IronPigs were scheduled to start right-hander Phil Klein. But earlier in the day Aaron Nola hit the Phillies’ DL and Klein was recalled to make a spot start against the Giants (5IP, 8H, 4R, 1BB, 3K).