RAILRIDERS MAGIC NO. IS 1

RailRiders Blast Chiefs

SWB Inches Closer to Postseason Berth

Moosic, Pa. – The SWB RailRiders (Triple-A/ New York Yankees) scored five runs in the third inning and cruised past the Syracuse Chiefs 9-1 on Friday night at PNC Field. The RailRiders (82-49) earned their 40th win at home and lowered their magic number to clinch a postseason berth down to one.  The Chiefs fell to 50-82.

Domingo German (6-2) authored his fourth quality start in five outings. The right-hander scattered three hits over over six innings before allowing a run on two hits in the seventh. He struck out eight without allowing a walk. Syracuse starter Phillips Valdez (0-2) was hit for seven runs on seven hits over 2.1 frames. He walked one and struck out two.

The RailRiders set the tone with two runs in the first. Mason Williams singled to right and raced home on a bounding double down the left-field line by Donovan Solano. Greg Bird singled and a grounder by Miguel Andujar plated Solano for a 2-0 lead.

SWB sent 10 to the plate in the third inning and crossed safely five times. Billy McKinney singled home a run and Ji-Man Choi drove in a pair with a bases-loaded single. Wilkin Castillo continued the barrage with a sacrifice fly to center and Williams capped the frame with a run-scoring hit.

Mark Payton pinch hit for Bird in the fourth and tripled on a liner to left. Andujar brought him in on a sacrifice fly to right. Andujar capped the scoring in the eighth when he sent around Williams on a single to right.

The 2016 Gildan Triple-A National Champion RailRiders continue their weekend series with the Syracuse Chiefs (Washington Nationals) on Saturday night at PNC Field. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. and right-hander Chance Adams (10-4, 2.69). is expected to start for SWB. The first 1,000 kids through the gates will receive a pair of Reggie Jackson socks. Former Yankees outfielder Johnny Damon will be at PNC Field as part of the Legends Series, presented by Maines Food and Party Warehouse. For tickets or more information, please call 570-969-BALL (2255) or visit swbrailriders.com.