RAILRIDERS TIE SERIES

The RailRiders Blank Back

SWB Deadlocks Governors’ Cup Finals, 1-1

Durham, N.C. – One night after suffering a shutout defeat, the SWB RailRiders (Triple-A/New York Yankees) flipped the script on the host Durham Bulls (Tampa Bay Rays) on Wednesday night, taking Game 2 of the Governors’ Cup Finals, 4-0. Domingo German, Anyelo Gomez and Nick Rumbelow combined on the two-hit blanking, tying the best-of-five series, 1-1.

German (1-0) fired seven scoreless innings of one-hit ball, whiffing eight and walking three. He retired the final seven men he faced en route to the win.

SWB posted single scores in the first, seventh, eighth and ninth innings. Garrett Cooper singled Donovan Solano home in the opening frame. Solano’s single plated Mark Payton for a 2-0 margin in the seventh. A throwing error by third baseman Daniel Robertson allowed Cooper to scamper home in the eighth and Miguel Andujar singled Mason Williams home in the final frame.

Gomez worked around a one-out infield hit by striking out Justin O’Conner and Johnny Field in succession in the eighth. Rumbelow, who allowed runs in just one of his 17 regular-season appearances with the RailRiders, enjoyed redemption against the lone team to tag him with a score. He bookended strikeouts around a Jake Bauers two-out double to cement the series-tying victory.

Durham starter Yonny Chirinos (0-1) took the loss. He gave up one run on three hits and two walks over five frames. He struck out one and hit a batter on 63 pitches (41 strikes).

The best-of-five Governors’ Cup Finals shift to the RailRiders’ PNC Field with Game 3 on Thursday, Sept. 14 at 6:35 p.m. SWB is expected to start Chance Adams against fellow right-hander Brent Honeywell.  Playoff tickets are on sale now. For tickets or more information, please call (570) 969-BALL (2255) or visit swbrailriders.com. The RailRiders’ PNC Field will also host the Gildan Triple-A National Championship Game on Tuesday, Sept. 19 at 7:07 p.m.

OFF THE RAILS:

The RailRiders did not allow a run on the road during last year’s run to the IL’s Governors’ Cup crown. With their efforts on Wednesday night, the staff has posted shutouts in five of its last six road playoff games.

Including the regular season, Domingo German has fired 20 scoreless innings over three starts against the Bulls this season.

A pair of Major League rehabbers hurled in relief for the Bulls. Former New York Yankee Nathan Eovaldi gave up two hits in a scoreless sixth. Xavier Cedeno surrendered a score on two hits and a walk over two-thirds of an inning thereafter.

The RailRiders will host Game 3 and Game 4, along with the if-necessary Game 5, at PNC Field. The winner of the series will represent the IL against the PCL champion in Tuesday’s Gildan Triple-A National Championship Game, also in Moosic at PNC Field. The RailRiders posted the IL’s second-best home record on the regular season at 44-26.

CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES (Best of Five)

G1 Tue. Sept. 12 at Durham – DUR 6, SWB 0

G2 Wed. Sept. 13 at Durham 6:35 p.m. – SWB 4, DUR 0

G3 Thu. Sept. 14 vs. Durham 6:35p         

G4 Fri. Sept. 15 vs. Durham 6:35p         

*G5 Sat. Sept. 16 vs. Durham 4:05p       

*-If Necessary

GILDAN TRIPLE-A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME (PNC Field – Moosic, Pa.)

NCG Tue. Sept. 19 7:07p (IL Champion vs. PCL Champion)