RAILRIDERS HAVE HUGE FIRST INNING

Huge First Inning Carries RailRiders to Win

Frazier Blasts Two Homers, Torres Goes Deep to Center

Allentown, Pa. – The SWB RailRiders (Triple-A/New York Yankees) rode the wave of a season-best seven-run first inning to a 10-1 win over the host Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Philadelphia Phillies) on Friday night. The RailRiders (34-24) secured their second win of the year at Coca-Cola Park where the IronPigs (41-20) had won 18 of their last 19 since SWB’s 13-0 victory there on May 3.

Clint Frazier’s three-run homer to the second bullpen in left field highlighted the gaudy first frame. Leadoff man Tyler Wade’s second hit of the inning, a run-scoring blow to left, chased starter Jake Thompson. The 2016 IL Pitcher of the Year, Thompson (2-6) was charged with seven runs on seven hits and a walk. He recorded just two outs on 45 pitches (24 strikes).

SWB starter Luis Cessa (3-6) tossed a third straight quality start and snapped a string of four straight losing decisions. He gave up one run on five hits and two walks while whiffing six over six innings.

Frazier bashed his team-best 11^th homer, a one-out solo shot to the grassy seating in left-center in the eighth. Gleyber Torres rounded out the scoring with a two-run homer to straightaway center in the ninth, his second of the road trip and at Triple-A.

The series continues at 6:35 p.m. on Saturday evening as SWB’s Bryan Mitchell (0-1, 4.76) faces fellow right-hander Thomas Eshelman (4-0, 1.38). The RailRiders’ next homestand gets underway on Tuesday, June 13 with a 6:35 p.m. start against the Red Wings. The $2 Tuesday sports $2 lawn tickets and $2 tallboys, presented by La Tolteca. It will also be a Bark in the Park game. For tickets or more information, please call 570-969-BALL (2255) or visit swbrailriders.com.

OFF THE RAILS:

Clint Frazier posted his fourth career multi-homer game and his first at Triple-A. He last went deep multiple times in a game on Aug. 18, 2015 while with Advanced-A Lynchburg versus Frederick.

Frazier’s four RBIs tied a career-high mark, now reached five times.  He had last turned the trick on Aug. 11, 2015, also while with Advanced at Lynchburg, but at Frederick.

NEPA’s own Matt Wotherspoon tossed 2.1 scoreless innings with three strikeouts in his first Triple-A outing of the year.

Lehigh Valley infielder Jorge Flores made his pro pitching debut in the ninth.