RAILRIDERS IN WALK-OFF WIN

Choi Lifts RailRiders to Walk-Off Win

Bases-Loaded Sac Fly Yields Series Victory

Moosic, Pa. – Thanks to a bases-loaded sac fly by Ji-Man Choi, the SWB RailRiders (Triple-A/New York Yankees) claimed a 2-1 walk-off victory over the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Philadelphia Phillies) at PNC Field on Thursday night. The RailRiders (3-4) claimed three of the series’ four affairs and jumped over the IronPigs (3-5) in the IL North standings.

Cameron Perkins leadoff homer in the third proved to be the lone run for the visiting ‘Pigs and the single blemish on the line of fill-in starter Caleb Smith. Summoned up from Double-A earlier in the day, Smith allowed just that one baserunner over five innings while striking out five on 64 pitches (44 strikes).

Tyler Wade began the home sixth with a single off starter Ricardo Pinto’s cleat that pinballed to third baseman Hector Gomez. Gomez errantly threw wide of first base, giving Wade third. On Pinto’s next pitch, Clint Frazier’s groundout to deep short provided a path for Wade to score for a tie game.

Reliever Joe Mantiply gave the RailRiders three scoreless innings of bridge relief and Chasen Shreve, in his first minor league appearance of 2017, whiffed two in a perfect ninth.

The home half of the frame saw Rob Refsnyder ignite the rally with a one-out walk. Mason Williams doubled to right-center and Donovan Solano worked a 3-1 count before Lehigh Valley signaled for an intentional walk, the first under the new rule for the RailRiders. That set the stage for Choi’s shot to deep left as Refsnyder tagged up and scored the game-winning tally.

The 2016 Gildan Triple-A National Champion RailRiders open a three-game series with the Buffalo Bisons (Toronto Blue Jays) at 6:35 p.m. on a Glow-in-the-Park Friday night. SWB southpaw Dietrich Enns (0-0, 3.00) will face right-hander Mat Latos (0-0, 0.00). For tickets or more information, please call 570-969-BALL (2255) or visit swbrailriders.com.