RAILRIDERS WIN OVER NORFOLK, 5-3

Andujar, Ford Go Deep in Thriller

SWB Moves to 8-0 in Extra-Inning Games

Norfolk, Va. – The SWB RailRiders (Triple-A/New York Yankees) blasted a pair of impactful homers and posted a 5-3 win over the host Norfolk Tides (Baltimore Orioles) in 10 innings at Harbor Park on Tuesday night. The RailRiders (63-39) snapped a season-worst-tying three-game losing skid while the Tides (46-57) saw their five-game winning streak halted. SWB stands an IL-best 8-0 in extra-inning games.

Tied 3-3 in the 10^th, Miguel Andujar put the RailRiders on top to stay with a line-drive two-run homer to left field off of reliever Richard Rodriguez (4-4). Jonathan Holder then worked around a three-walk 10^th to leave the bases loaded and secure his first Triple-A save of the year. Fellow reliever Nick Rumbelow (5-0) got the win with two scoreless innings, whiffing three.

Each team scored in the opening inning. Donovan Solano’s single plated Jake Cave to make it 1-0 SWB before Francisco Pena responded with a two-run double down the left-field line for a 2-1 margin.

In the third, Mike Ford blasted a two-run homer to right to make it 3-2 SWB.

That lead stood until the sixth when a Wilkin Castillo passed ball on a swinging strike three by Chris Johnson allowed Luis Sardinas to score from third.

The four-game series continues at 7:05 p.m. on Wednesday night as SWB’s Chance Adams (6-3, 2.37) faces fellow right-hander Tyler Wilson (2-6, 5.09).

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:

Miguel Andujar went 3-for-4 with a double, a homer and a walk. He has hit safely in 11 straight games, lifting his Triple-A average by 75 points from .255-.330. His 66 overall RBIs between Double-A and Triple-A lead the Yankees’ farm.

Mike Ford went 2-for-5 and his homer gave him 16 on the year between Double-A and Triple-A, tops on the Yankees’ farm. His 64 RBIs have him second among the baby bombers, trailing only Andujar.

Jake Cave went 2-for-5 with a double. Named the IL’s Batter of the Week on Monday morning, he has hit .378 in 36 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.

The RailRiders improved to 6-0 when Nick Rumbelow pitches. He has factored in each of this triumphs with five wins and a save. He has tossed 10.2 scoreless innings at Triple-A, allowing four hits (.114 BAA), walking four and whiffing 12.

SWB starter Dietrich Enns left in line for the win. He gave up two runs on six hits and two walks over five frames and posted a Triple-A career-high eight strikeouts.

Five pitchers combined to post a season-high 16 strikeouts for the RailRiders. The SWB staff has recorded 27 strikeouts through the first two games of the series.

Norfolk went 1-for-14 with men in scoring position and stranded 14 men on base. Through two games on the series, the Tides have gone 4-for-30 with men in prime real estate, leaving 23 aboard.