RAILRIDERS CLAIM IL NORTH CROWN

RailRiders Claim IL North Crown

SWB Earns Home Field Advantage for Governor’s Cup Semifinals

 

Buffalo, N.Y. – The SWB RailRiders (Triple-A/ New York Yankees) earned their second consecutive International League North Division Championship with a 6-1 victory over the Buffalo Bisons on Thursday night at Coca-Cola Field. The title was the 11th in the history of the SWB franchise. The RailRiders (87-52) have won nine straight in Buffalo and 13-of-14 against the Bisons (66-74) overall.

Phil Coke (5-3) earned the win with a quality start. The southpaw limited Buffalo to a run on seven hits across six innings. He walked two and struck out six.  SWB scored four on eight hits off Jason Berken (0-2) over his 5.1 innings.

Chris Parmelee opened the scoring in the second inning with a solo homer to left. The shot was his 10th with SWB. The RailRiders plated three on five straight hits, including singles by Cito Culver, Mason Williams and Cesar Puello.

Jesus Montero plated the Bisons’ only tally with a single off Coke in the third. Run-producing hits by Rob Refsnyder and Donovan Solano capped the scoring in the eighth.

OFF THE RAILS:

The 87 wins by SWB match the 2010 then-SWB Yankees total from their IL North championship year. The 2008 club set the Yankees-era high mark with 88 wins. The 2002 Red Barons (91) were the last team to win 90 games.

 

With two perfect frames by Tyler Webb and a scoreless inning by Johnny Barbato, the SWB bullpen has not allowed a run in 20 consecutive stanzas. They have compiled 36 strikeouts in that span.

 

Williams finished 3-for-5 with an RBI. Williams is 7-for-14 (.500) over his last three games played with two doubles and six RBI.

 

The RailRiders will host Game Three of the Governor’s Cup semifinals against the Wild Card on September 9 at 6:35 p.m. If necessary, they will also be home for Game Four (Sept. 10) and Game Five (Sept. 11). Playoff tickets are on sale.

 

Right-hander Bryan Mitchell (0-0, 0.00) will start on Friday night at PNC Field against the Buffalo Bisons (Toronto Blue Jays) and righty Mike Bolsinger (1-4, 7.52). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.

 

The Glow-in-the-Park Friday will see the team sport its neon green and black jerseys. And the first 2,500 fans will receive a Friday Night replica jersey courtesy of PNC Bank. Game 12 of the 2016 Legends Series will have former Yankee Graig Nettles in attendance thanks to Maines Food and Party Warehouse and Mohegan Sun Pocono. It will be Penn State Night at PNC Field with a post-game Jack Williams Tire and Auto and Yokohama Tire Fireworks Show. On Friends and Family Day, for $40 fans can purchase four meal vouchers and four tickets, presented by McDonald's. It's also Mother-Son Night Out. For tickets or more information, please call 570-969-BALL (2255) or visit swbrailriders.com.