RAILRIDERS DEFEAT TOLEDO 5-1

Streaking RailRiders Pluck Mud Hens

Smith Whiffs Nine, Fowler Posts Four Hits

Toledo, Ohio – The SWB RailRiders (Triple-A/New York Yankees) defeated the host Toledo Mud Hens (Detroit Tigers) on Saturday night, 5-1. The RailRiders (27-18) have won 11 of their last 13 and stand a season-best nine games above .500. The Mud Hens (21-26) have lost nine of 10.

Toledo struck first with a solo homer to left-center by Argenis Diaz off starter Caleb Smith (3-0). The southpaw starter would contain the Mud Hens thereafter, striking out nine over six innings en route to the win.

Dustin Fowler and Gleyber Torres combined for back-to-back first-pitch doubles to tie the game at the start of the fourth. Two innings later, Tyler Austin singled Fowler home for a 2-1 lead. In the seventh, Tyler Wade drove a sac fly to deep left that plated Mason Williams. Consecutive two-out RBI doubles from Donovan Solano and Cito Culver rounded out the scoring in the eighth.

The Mud Hens put two on with two out in the ninth before closer Ernesto Frieri got a game-ending groundout from Omar Infante to put a bow on the game and secure Frieri’s team-best sixth save.

Toledo starter Matt Crouse (0-1) took the loss in his first Triple-A outing of the year.

The four-game series continues at 6:05 p.m. on Sunday night. SWB’s Brady Lail (1-2, 5.88) is expected to face fellow right-hander Anibal Sanchez (0-1, 9.00). The RailRiders return home on Tuesday, May 30 to host the Columbus Clippers (Cleveland Indians) at 6:35 p.m. The $2 Tuesday sports $2 lawn tickets and $2 tallboys, presented by La Tolteca. For tickets or more information, please call 570-969-BALL (2255) or visit swbrailriders.com.

PEBBLES OF KNOWLEDGE:

Dustin Fowler finished the game 4-for-5 with a double, a stolen base and two runs scored.

In his first rehab game with the RailRiders, Tyler Austin went 1-for-3 with an RBI and a strikeout. He started at first base and hit cleanup.

Donovan Solano went 1-for-3 with his RBI double, a walk and a run scored as the designated hitter. It marked his first action since he was lifted with an injury on April 26 versus Louisville.

Reliever Tyler Jones tossed a scoreless inning. He has not allowed a run over his last nine outings and 12.2 innings.