RAILRIDERS WIN 6-5 OVER SYRACUSE

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre  6    Syracuse  5  
 
(Moosic, PA – April 6, 2018)-   Trailing by four runs entering the bottom of the ninth, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders defeated the Syracuse Chiefs 6-5 on Opening Night at PNC Field on Friday night.

With two outs and two runners on base in the bottom of the ninth inning, Abiatal Avelino served a 3-2 pitch from Christopher Smith over right field fence to complete a thrilling five-run comeback.

Syracuse took the initiative in the top of the second when Irving Falu doubled to right field off Chance Adams with one out to plate a run. Two batters later, Andrew Stevenson connected for a three-run home run to hand the Chiefs an early 4-0 lead.

The Chiefs added an unearned run in the top of the fourth and took a 5-0 advantage, with Falu scampering home on an errant throw. Adams’ night was done after 3.2 innings, allowing five runs (four earned) on seven hits, walking two and striking out five. 

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre got on the board in the bottom of the fourth, when Kyle Higashioka smacked a solo home run off Austin Voth to close the gap to 5-1. The RailRiders catcher finished the night 1-for-2 with his round-tripper, two walks and two runs scored.

The RailRiders bullpen was excellent, combining for 5.1 scoreless innings of relief. Raynel Espinal threw 2.1 scoreless in his Triple-A debut, while Oliver Perez and Cale Coshow each worked around a hit in single frames. 

JP Feyereisen (1-0) tossed a 1-2-3 ninth for the RailRiders, earning the win in his season debut.

Cody Asche led off the ninth with a double off Tim Collins and a pair of doubles loaded the bases with one out. Smith (0-1) entered the game and allowed a sacrifice fly to Billy Fleming to narrow the deficit to 5-2.

With the RailRiders down to their final out, Zack Zehner cut the lead to 5-3 with an RBI single. That brought Avelino to the plate representing the winning run and setting the stage for his walk-off blast.

Zehner made a splash in his Triple-A debut, going 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI. 

The RailRiders continue their series with the Chiefs on Saturday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 4:05 pm. RHP Luis Cessa takes the mound for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, opposed by Syracuse LHP Tommy Milone. For tickets and more information, call (570) 969-2255 or slide to www.swbrailriders.com/tickets.