RAILRIDERS DROP SUNDAY FINALE

RailRiders Drop Sunday Finale to Chiefs

Ji-Man Choi Collects Three Hits, Doubles Twice

Moosic, Pa. – The SWB RailRiders (Triple-A/ New York Yankees) surrendered four home runs in a 9-2 loss to the Syracuse Chiefs on Sunday afternoon at PNC Field. The RailRiders (83-50) finish 11-6 against the Chiefs (51-83) and maintain a magic number of two to clinch the International League North Division.

Ji-Man Choi doubled twice and collected three hits in the loss. He doubled and scored in the fourth on a single by Cito Culver. Mason Williams followed with a base hit for a 2-0 lead before the Chiefs took off.

Jacob Turner (2-5) worked around eight hits over seven innings to limit the RailRiders to two runs. He walked one and struck out five. Brady Lail (6-5) retired the first nine batters he faced, but allowed six runs in the fifth inning.

Tyler Wade finished 1-for-4 with a double. He is 2-for-9 with a double and a home run in two games since returning to SWB.

The playoff-bound RailRiders begin a crucial four-game series with the second place Rochester Red Wings (Minnesota Twins) on Monday, August 28 at 7:05 p.m. The RailRiders need one victory against the Red Wings to clinch the franchise’s third straight IL North title and ninth in 12 seasons.

 

Right-hander Bryan Mitchell (2-3, 3.22) gets the nod against right-hander Felix Jorge (0-0, 0.00). Every Monday home game at PNC Field is Dollar Dog Monday! For tickets or more information, please call 570-969-BALL (2255) or visit swbrailriders.com.

TACKETT TAKES STORM CUP

                                 Ohio’s Chris Via Takes First Round Lead

In Xtra Frame Kenn-Feld Group Classic; Tackett Takes Storm Cup

                                                    Finishing 17th in first round is good enough for Tackett to clinch PBA Xtra Frame Storm Cup Crown

COLDWATER, Ohio (Aug. 26, 2017) – In a tournament that is putting a player’s ability to navigate demanding lane conditions to the test, Team USA member and one-time PBA regional winner Chris Via of Springfield, Ohio, seemed to have found the key to success averaging 221 to lead the first round of the PBA Xtra Frame Kenn-Feld Group Classic, the final event of the 2017 PBA Xtra Frame Storm Cup series.

Reigning PBA Player of the Year EJ Tackett of Huntington, Ind., who has led the Storm Cup points race for most of the season, qualified 17th with 1,611 which was good enough to secure the Storm Cup title and the $20,000 in bonus money that goes with the crown. 

Dom Barrett, Marshall Kent and Dick Allen, who were second through fourth in the Storm Cup standings, were still in contention heading into the tournament but all three failed to advance to Sunday’s cashers’ round handing the crown to Tackett.

Tackett, who is trying for his fourth PBA Tour win of the season, is hoping to win the Kenn-Feld Group Classic for his first win in the seven-tournament Storm Cup series.

Competing on the Tournament of Champions lane condition at Pla-Mor Lanes, Via bowled games of  221, 244, 277, 233, 223, 188, 177 and 208 for a 1,771 eight-game pinfall total to lead 32 players from the original 96-player field into Sunday’s cashers’ round.

Via finished 67 pins ahead of Joe Bailey of Wooster, Ohio, in second with 1,704 and Sean Rash of Montgomery, Ohio, who won last week’s Xtra Frame Gene Carter’s Pro Shop Classic for his 12th career PBA Tour title, in third with 1,691.

Rash, who ranks fifth in Storm Cup points, can move as high as second in the standings if he can win the tournament.

After Sunday morning’s cashers’ round the field will be cut to the top 16 players for match play beginning at 12:30 p.m. EDT which will determine the top four players for the stepladder finals at 3:30 p.m.

To catch all the action on PBA’s online bowling channel click on www.xtraframe.tv for subscription and schedule information.

PBA XTRA FRAME KENN-FELD GROUP CLASSIC

Pla-Mor Lanes, Coldwater, Ohio, Saturday

First Round (After eight games. Top 32 advance to Sunday’s cashers’ qualifying round)

1, Chris Via, Springfield, Ohio, 1,771.
2, Joe Bailey, Wooster, Ohio, 1,704.
3, Sean Rash, Montgomery, Ill., 1,691.
4, (tie) Michael Davidson, Versailles, Ohio, and Andrew Anderson, Holly, Mich., 1,655.
6, Rhino Page, Orlando, Fla., 1,640.
7, Jason Sterner, Rockledge, Fla., 1,633.
8, Jake Peters, Henderson, Nev., 1,629.
9, Matthew Staninger, Highland, Ind., 1,627.
10, (tie) Tom Smallwood, Saginaw, Mich., and AJ Johnson, Oswego, Ill., 1,626.
12, Brad Angelo, Lockport, N.Y., 1,625.
13, Anthony LaCaze, Melrose Park, Ill., 1,621.
14, Chris Loschetter, Avon, Ohio, 1,618.
15, (tie) Mason Brantley, Detroit, and Anthony Kennard, Wapakoneta, Ohio, 1,614.
17, EJ Tackett, Huntington, Ind., 1,611.
18, Chris Arcaro, Carolina Beach, N.C., 1,608.
19, Michael Tang, San Francisco, 1,604.
20, Darren Tang, San Francisco, 1,602.
21, (tie) Bo Goergen, Sanford, Mich., and Patrick Dombrowski, Parma, Ohio, 1,582.
23, Carleton Chambers, Detroit, 1,580.
24, Michael Clark Jr., Cleveland, Ohio, 1,571.
25, CJ Kirchner, Herrin, Ill., 1,559.
26, Dave Wodka, Beavercreek, Ohio, 1,553.
27, Graham Fach, Canada, 1,552.
28, (tie) Parker Bohn III, Jackson, N.J., and James Hennessey, Adrian, Mich, 1,549.
30, Josh Blanchard, Mesa, Ariz, 1,546.
31, Frank Snodgrass, Center Line, Mich., 1,535.
32, (tie) J.R. Raymond, Clinton Twp., Mich., and Aaron Lorincz, Center Line, Mich., 1,533.
34, Bryan Paul, Brooklyn, N.Y., 1,524.
35, Gabriel Garcia, Port St. Lucie, Fla., 1,523.
36, Brian Kretzer, Dayton, Ohio, 1,522.
37, (tie) Michael Schlabach, Goshen, Ind., Charlie Brown Jr, Grandville, Mich., and Matthew Sanders, Evansville, Ind., 1,514.
40, Terry Rohrer, Ft. Wayne, Ind., 1,510.
41, Chris Hartung, Goshen, Ind., 1,509.
42, Tom Daugherty, Riverview, Fla., 1,502.
43, Jeff Evans, Supply, N.C., 1,501.
44, (tie) Matthew Ogle, Louisville, Ky., and Matt Kuba, Chicago Ridge, IL, 1,494.
46, Zeke Bayt, Westerville, Ohio, 1,493.
47, BJ Moore III, Greensburg, Pa., 1,490.
48, Ronnie Russell, Marion, Ind., 1,489.
49, (tie) Zachery Tackett, Huntington, Ind., and John Szczerbinski, N. Tonawanda, N.Y., 1,488.
51, Matt Taylor, Youngsville, N.C., 1,482.
52, AJ Chapman, Wichita, Kan., 1,480.
53, Tom Hess, Urbandale, Iowa, 1,477.
54, Brandon Novak, Chillicothe, Ohio, 1,474.
55, Kelly Jordon, Marion, Ohio, 1,465.
56, (tie) Kyle Troup, Taylorsville, N.C., and Kyle Mayberry, Mt. Vernon, Ohio, 1,464.
58, Marshall Kent, Yakima, Wash., 1,460.
59, (tie) Chandler Stevens, Archbold, Ohio; Ryan Patterson, Washington, W.Va.; David Haynes, Las Vegas; Josh Conner, Columbus, Ohio, and Craig LeMond, Jasper, Ind., 1,456.
64, Nick Kruml, Downers Grove, Ill., 1,454.
65, Dom Barrett, England, 1,451.
66, Tom Sorce, Blasdell, N.Y., 1,448.
67, (tie) Jason Lundquist, Columbus, Ohio, and Michael Jachcinski, Macomb, Mich., 1,446.
69, Andrew Klingler, Grand Rapids, Mich., 1,443.
70, Noel Vega, Noblesville, Ind., 1,438.
71, (tie) Ronnie Sparks JR, Redford, Mich., and BJ Satkowski, Jackson, Mich., 1,437.
73, Walter Ray Williams Jr., Oxford, Fla., 1,436.
74, Ryan Lakota, Shorewood, Ill., 1,414.
75, Mitch Beasley, Clarksville, Tenn., 1,397.
76, Dick Allen, Columbia, S.C., 1,384.
77, Tyler Wilds, Three Rivers, Mich., 1,382.
78, Tony Johnson, Canton, Ohio, 1,374.
79, Tommy Parker III, Bowling Green, Ohio, 1,371.
80, D.J. Rose, Ypsilanti, Mich., 1,363.
81, Matthew Burgin, Decatur, Ind., 1,361.
82, Kyle Bigelow, Troy, Ohio, 1,358.
83, Steven Arehart, Chesapeake, Va., 1,353.
84, Brandon Keirns, Marion, Ohio, 1,348.
85, Brian Robinson, Morgantown, W.Va., 1,333.
86, Gary Zwiezinski, Elyria, Ohio, 1,316.
87, William Tarpein, McDonough, Ga., 1,292.
88, Bill Burke, Angola, Ind., 1,283.
89, Chris Mays, Muncie, Ind, 1,272.
90, Wendell Barger, Dry Ridge, Ky., 1,267.
91, Tristan Butler, Fort Wayne, Ind., 1,260.
92, Anthony Smith, Defiance, Ohio, 1,255.
93, David Rosengarten, Gardendale, Ala., 1,250.
94, Derek Engeln, Miamisburg, Ohio, 1,217.
95, Steve Tobolt, Chicago, Ill., 1,197.
96, Aaron Pond, Fort Edward, N.Y., 1,175.

PONIES CLINCH PLAYOFF BERTH

Ponies Clinch Playoff Berth, Despite 9-5 Loss

Portland, ME – The Rumble Ponies overcame a pair of deficits on Saturday night at Hadlock Field, but Portland’s four-run eighth inning was too much in the Sea Dogs 9-5 win over Rumble Ponies. Nearly thirty minutes after the Ponies game finished, Harrisburg defeated Reading, propelling Binghamton into the 2017 Eastern League Playoffs. It’s Binghamton’s fourth playoff appearance in the last five seasons.
Tied 5-5 heading to eighth inning, Portland grabbed the lead back for the third time after collecting four runs on five hits. Following Cole Sturgeon’s leadoff single, Casey Delgado’s throwing error allowed Danny Bethea to reach as well. Danny Mars pushed Portland in front by stroking a double into the right field alley, ending Casey Delgado’s night. Cory Burns was greeted by a Chad De La Guerra’s RBI double, giving the Sea Dogs an 8-5 lead. Jeremy Barfield provided an insurance run, singling home De La Guerra, making it a 9-5 contest.
Binghamton fought back from an early 2-0 deficit when Tomas Nido launched a two-run homer in the fourth, tying the game at 2-2. His eighth home run of the season scored Peter Alonso, who kicked off the frame with a single.
Portland responded by plating one run in the fourth and two more in the fifth to grab a three-run advantage, the largest lead in the series.
David Thompson cut the deficit to two, with his team-leading 16^th home run of the season, a solo blast that cleared the right-center field fence.
Binghamton knocked Dedgar Jimenez out of the game in the seventh inning after back-to-back knocks from Luis Guillorme and L.J. Mazzilli. Sea Dogs Manager Carlos Febles summoned Trevor Kelly from the bullpen. Kelly gave up a run-scoring double to Alonso and an RBI groundout from Matt Oberste, tying the game at 5-5.
Matt Harvey made his fourth Major League rehab appearance and second with Binghamton. He tossed 4-2/3 innings and allowed three earned runs on five hits. He exited the game after hitting Jeremy Barfield with two-outs in the fifth inning.
Trevor Kelly (1-1) hurled the final 2-2/3 innings and allowed just one hit in his first win of the 2017 season.
Casey Delgado (10-6) piggybacked off of Harvey, twirling 2-1/3 innings. He gave up two earned runs and issued three walks without a strikeout.
The Rumble Ponies (77-54) finish their five-game series with the Sea Dogs on Sunday afternoon. Binghamton sends Corey Oswalt to the mound to face Portland’s Trey Ball. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 PM at Hadlock Field. The Horizons Federal Credit Union Pregame Show can be heard starting at 12:45 on NewsRadio 1290 AM WNBF and the Binghamton Rumble Ponies channel on TuneIn.
POSTGAME NOTES: Its Binghamton’s 10^th playoff appearance in franchise history…They’ll face Trenton in the postseason for the second time in franchise history (2013)…Teams managed by Luis Rojas have made the playoffs in four of the last five seasons
Tickets for Binghamton’s entire home schedule can be purchased at the NYSEG Stadium box office, online on www.bingrp.com and over the phone at (607) 722-FUNN.

RAILRIDERS PUNCH POSTSEASON TICKET

RailRiders Punch Postseason Ticket

Wade and Solano Homer in Rout of Chiefs

Moosic, Pa. – The SWB RailRiders (Triple-A/ New York Yankees) are heading to the International League Governors’ Cup playoffs! The RailRiders (83-49) defeated the Syracuse Chiefs 7-1 on Saturday night at PNC Field to clinch their third straight postseason appearance. The Chiefs fell to 50-83. The RailRiders magic number to clinch the IL North Division lowered to two.

Chance Adams (11-4) shook off seven hits to limit the Chiefs to a run over six innings for his sixth quality start in his last eight outings. Adams walked two and struck out two.

The RailRiders plated seven runs on nine hits off SWB alum Jaron Long (4-5) across 4.2 innings. Down 1-0 in the second, Ji-Man Choi worked a walk. Donovan Solano then scalded a one-out double down the left field line to score Choi and tie the game.

Choi came back to push the RailRiders in front 3-1 on a two-run double to left-center in the third. SWB padded the advantage in the fifth by scoring four runs. Tyler Wade launched a solo shot out to right, his seventh at Triple-A. Jake Cave followed with a single and Choi was plunked to put two on. Solano capped his big night with a deep fly into the bullpens beyond left. The three-run shot was his fourth homer of the year and provided the final margin of victory.  

The 2016 Gildan Triple-A National Champion RailRiders look for a series sweep of the Syracuse Chiefs (Washington Nationals) when they meet for a final time in 2017 on Sunday, August 27 at 1:05 p.m. Right-hander Brady Lail (6-4, 5.24) is scheduled to start. Every Sunday home game at PNC Field is Family FUNday, presented by the NEPA Honda Dealers. For tickets or more information, please call 570-969-BALL (2255) or visit swbrailriders.com.

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.

MAGIC NUMBER AT 1 FOR PONIES

Magic Number at One After Double Dip Split

Portland, ME – Runs came at a premium in Friday’s doubleheader at Hadlock Field, with the Sea Dogs taking game one, 2-1, before the Ponies nabbed game two, 2-1. The nightcap victory snapped Binghamton’s three-game losing streak and moved them to one win, or one Reading loss, away from clinching a playoff berth. All three games in this series have finished 2-1.  
Game 1 – Portland 2, Binghamton 1
Portland wasted no time getting on the scoreboard in game one, plating two runs on three hits in the first inning. Danny Mars began the inning by roping a triple into the right field alley, before Chad De La Guerra followed with a double to score Mars. Two batters later, Jeremy Barfield’s single plated De La Guerra, earning the Sea Dogs an early 2-0 advantage.
Mickey Jannis (7-7) followed his difficult opening frame by setting down 17 straight Sea Dogs, going perfect from the second inning through the end of the game. He struck out six without issuing a walk.
Binghamton’s lone run crossed in the sixth inning following Patrick Biondi’s leadoff triple. Luis Guillorme’s ground ball to the right side brought Biondi home, slicing the Sea Dogs lead in half, 2-1.
Two Sea Dogs runs proved to be enough for Teddy Stankiewicz and the Sea Dogs pitching staff as the Rumble Ponies offense continued to struggle with runners in scoring position.
Stankiewicz (5-5) tossed 6-1/3 innings, allowing just one run on five hits. After putting the potential tying and go-ahead runs on-base in the seventh, Sea Dogs Manager Carlos Febles summoned Ty Buttrey from the bullpen. He locked down his fourth save of the season by setting down Tomas Nido and L.J. Mazzilli.
The Ponies finished 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position, extending their mark to 0-for-14 in the series.  
Game 2 – Binghamton 2, Portland 1
The late-inning drama continued in Friday’s nightcap, with neither team scoring until the sixth inning.
Binghamton finally broke through with runners in scoring position, thanks to a run-scoring single by Kevin Taylor. Matt Oberste jolted the offense with a leadoff single, he was pinch-run for by Patrick Biondi. Peter Alonso then collected his third hit of the day to push Biondi to second. The Sea Dogs corner infielders, expecting a bunt, played in for the left-handed hitting Taylor. The Ponies left fielder stroked Elih Villanueva’s 0-1 pitch through the right side, giving Binghamton their first lead of the series and snapping an 0-for-18 with runners in scoring position.
The lead lasted just two batters, though. Danny Mars began the sixth by walking and then darting to second on an Adonis Uceta wild pitch. Josh Tobias followed with a single into right field, scoring Mars to tie the game, 1-1.
The Rumble Ponies had an answer in the top of the seventh by playing small ball. Guillorme kickstarted the rally with a leadoff walk, before moving to second on Kevin Kaczmarski’s sacrifice bunt. After taking third on a wild pitch, Guillorme touched home on David Thompson’s sacrifice fly, putting the Ponies ahead, 2-1.
Tyler Bashlor locked down his second Double-A save by striking out Cole Sturgeon with the tying run on second.
Uceta (1-0) garnered his first Double-A win despite giving up a run and a walk in his two innings of work.
Jacob Dahlstrand (5-4) coughed up Binghamton’s winning run, his third decision against Binghamton this season.  
The Rumble Ponies (77-53) try to punch their ticket to the 2017 Eastern League playoffs on Saturday evening when thye battle the Sea Dogs. Matt Harvey is scheduled to make his second Major League rehab appearance with Binghamton. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 PM at Hadlock Field. The Horizons Federal Credit Union Pregame Show can be heard starting at 5:45 on NewsRadio 1290 AM WNBF and the Binghamton Rumble Ponies channel on TuneIn.
POSTGAME NOTES: Binghamton has played seven straight one-run games…the Ponies are 3-for-their-last-42 with runners in scoring position…Mickey Jannis’ complete game in game one was the Rumble Ponies 14^th of the season
Tickets for Binghamton’s entire home schedule can be purchased at the NYSEG Stadium box office, online on www.bingrp.com and over the phone at (607) 722-FUNN.

3 PONIES ALL-STARS

Guillorme, Conlon & Oswalt Named Eastern League Postseason All-Stars

BINGHAMTON, NY – Binghamton Rumble Ponies second baseman Luis Guillorme and starting pitchers Corey Oswalt and PJ Conlon have been recognized by the Eastern League as 2017 Postseason All-Stars. Each season, the league acknowledges the top players at every position as voted on by managers, media members and team officials.
Binghamton’s three All-Star nods were the most among Eastern League teams and matched a franchise record. Guillorme, Conlon and Oswalt also collected Mid-Season All-Star honors in July, attaining a clean sweep in their respective first seasons at Double-A.
Guillorme, named the league’s best second baseman, shined in the field and at the plate for the Rumble Ponies. In 117 games, he has hit .279 with a career-high total of 17 doubles. He leads Binghamton with 64 runs and has compiled a .371 on-base percentage. A mainstay in the middle of the infield, Guillorme committed just 11 errors and provided countless highlight-reel plays.
Oswalt, honored as the top right-handed starting pitcher in the league, powered his way to the top of the league leader board. In 22 starts, he notched 10 wins, struck out a career-high 102 batters, and compiled a 2.41 ERA, the lowest among qualified starters. Oswalt fired at least six innings and allowed one run or fewer ten times. He also delivered at the plate, belting a pair of home runs.
Conlon, tabbed the league’s best left-handed starting pitcher, used pinpoint command to claim eight victories and compile a 3.54 ERA, the eighth-best in the league. The southpaw tossed three seven-inning shutouts, the most in one season by a Binghamton pitcher since 1993. Conlon’s shining moment came on May 6, when he tossed a one-hitter against the Fisher Cats.