FORD POWERS EXTRA-INNING WIN

Ford Powers Extra-Inning Triumph

SWB Moves to IL-Best 9-0 in Extra-Inning Games

Norfolk, Va. – The SWB RailRiders (Triple-A/New York Yankees) rode a Mike Ford home run to a 5-4 win over the host Norfolk Tides (Baltimore Orioles) in 10 innings at Harbor Park on Wednesday night. The RailRiders (65-38) improved to an IL-best 9-0 in extra-inning games while the Tides (45-59) are guaranteed to lose the regular-season series to the RailRiders, down 4-2 with only Thursday’s action left on the docket.

Tied 3-3 in the 10^th, Ford thundered a massive homer over the 375-foot marker in right-center into the teeth of a howling wind that killed most balls in flight on the night. Ben Heller (3-3) then allowed a run but stranded the tying tally at third base in the 10^th to earn the win. Former RailRider Matt Wotherspoon (1-1) allowed the Ford homer and suffered his first loss with Norfolk.

SWB had the early advantage thanks to Miguel Andujar’s first-inning sac fly and Jake Cave’s run-scoring fielder’s choice in the second. The advantage vanished in the third when former SWB and New York Yankee Chris Dickerson hit a two-out two-run homer to right. Eddy Rodriguez singled Mason Williams home in the fourth for a 3-2 advantage. Norfolk tied the game on an RBI double by Drew Dosch off Chasen Shreve in the eighth.

The four-game series concludes at 12:05 p.m. on Thursday afternoon as SWB’s Bryan Mitchell (2-2, 3.70) faces fellow right-hander Mike Wright (3-4, 4.19).

The RailRiders return home on Tuesday, Aug. 1 to open a six-game homestand. It starts with the first of three against the Buffalo Bisons (Toronto Blue Jays) at 7:05 p.m. The Two Dollar Tuesday presented by La Tolteca means $2 lawn tickets and $2 tallboys every Tuesday during the 2017 season. For tickets or more information, please call 570-969-BALL (2255) or visit swbrailriders.com.

OFF THE RAILS:

SWB starter Chance Adams left in line for the win. He gave up two runs on three hits and two walks over seven innings, whiffing seven. It marked his second career Triple-A appearance of seven or more frames.

Miguel Andujar went 1-for-4 with a sac fly. He has hit safely in 12 straight games, lifting his Triple-A average by 72 points from .255-.327. His 67 overall RBIs between Double-A and Triple-A lead the Yankees’ farm.

Mike Ford’s homer gave him 17 on the year between Double-A and Triple-A, tops on the Yankees’ farm. His 66 RBIs have him second among the baby bombers, trailing only Andujar.

Jake Cave went 1-for-4 with an RBI, a walk and two runs scored, stretching his hitting streak to 12 games. Named the IL’s Batter of the Week on Monday morning, he has hit .374 in 37 Triple-A games this season with 10 homers. Including his Double-A tenure this season, he has 15 big flies in 2017. He entered the year with 19 career homers.

Catcher Eddy Rodriguez went 2-for-4 with an RBI. The RailRiders improved to 36-22 when he catches.

Three pitchers combined to post 12 strikeouts. The SWB staff has recorded 39 strikeouts through the first three games of the series.

Norfolk went 1-for-7 with men in scoring position, stranding six. Through three games on the series, the Tides have gone 5-for-37 (.135) with men in prime real estate, leaving 29 aboard.