RAILRIDERS LOSE OPENER, 7-4

 

RailRiders’ Rally Falls Short Against G-Braves in Game One

Jake Cave Finishes Triple Shy of the Cycle

 

Moosic, Pa. – The SWB RailRiders (Triple-A/ New York Yankees) fell down six runs in the first inning and fell short in their comeback bid on Tuesday night at PNC Field. The Gwinnett Braves (Atlanta Braves) held on for a 7-4 win in Game One of the best-of-five Governors’ Cup Championship Series.  

Jordan Montgomery (1-1) retired only two batters in the first inning. He allowed six runs, three earned, on six hits. The RailRiders used five relievers the rest of the way to hold the G-Braves to a run on seven hits. Aaron Blair (1-0) took home the win. The right-hander allowed four runs on six hits across 7.1 innings. Michael Cleto worked around two runners in scoreless ninth for the save.

 

Sean Kazmar Jr.’s three-run homer to left-center highlighted the early onslaught for Gwinnett. Jake Cave got the RailRiders on the board in the second frame with a solo shot that clanged off the left-field foul pole.

 

In the eighth, the RailRiders loaded the bases with one out to chase Blair. Reliever Jason Hursh entered and managed to retire Chris Parmelee on a pop out to third. But Kyle Higashioka smashed a single to right that scored two and Cave followed with a single that plated Donovan Solano. Hursh induced a foul out by Cito Culver to preserve a 6-4 lead.

 

Tyler Moore doubled off Johnny Barbato in the top of the ninth to score Kazmar for the final margin. The RailRiders brought the tying run to the plate in the last of the ninth, but Solano struck out to end it.

 

Left-hander Phil Coke (1-0, 0.00) will face right-hander Chris Ellis (1-0, 0.00) in Game Two of the Governors’ Cup Championship Series on Wednesday, September 14 at PNC Field. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m. It will be the last chance to catch your 2016 International League North Division champion SWB RailRiders at home! Fans can purchase lawn seat tickets for $1 and Bud Lights for $1! Purchase playoff tickets by calling 570-969-BALL (2255) or online at swbrailriders.com!

 

OFF THE RAILS:

 

The seven runs scored by the Gwinnett Braves were the most allowed by the RailRiders since a 7-1 loss to the Rochester Red Wings at PNC Field on August 26.

 

Jake Cave finished 3-for-4 and a triple shy of the cycle. He is now 7-for-14 (.500) in four postseason games with two doubles, a home run and three RBI and three runs scored.

 

The six runs allowed by Jordan Montgomery were two more than he allowed in 37.0IP during six regular season starts. The home run was also the first he allowed at the Triple-A level.

 

In the Yankees era (2007-Present), SWB's playoff opener has told the tale. Every time it won the opening game of a playoff series it went on to win that series. Each time it lost a series opener, it lost that set. The franchise has gone 5-7 in playoff openers as the Yankees' top affiliate.