Buffalo, N.Y. – Clutch two-out hits generated the offense and three hurlers handled the rest as the SWB RailRiders hut out the Buffalo Bisons (Toronto Blue Jays) on Sunday afternoon, 2-0. The RailRiders (76-60) lowered their magic number to four with second-place Rochester while they eliminated the third-place Bisons (67-69) from postseason contention.
Rob Refsnyder and the rehabbing Dustin Ackley connected on two-out run-scoring contact in the third and fifth respectively for the game’s only runs. Refsnyder singled Gregorio Petit home while Ackley did the same for Cole Figueroaagainst starter Chad Jenkins.
SWB starter Chris Capuano quelled a variety of two-out threats to toss 3.2 scoreless innings. Johnny Barbato (3-0) piggybacked behind him with 3.1 perfect innings and did not allow a Bison to leave the infield. Nick Goody worked around a leadoff infield hit in the ninth to record his third save.
Jenkins (8-5) gave up two runs on eight hits over 4.2 innings to take the loss.
The series concludes at 7:05 p.m. on Monday. SWB hands the ball to right-hander Brady Lail (2-2, 3.54) against right-hander Scott Copeland (11-4, 2.46). Copeland entered Sunday with the IL’s second-best ERA and tied for the circuit’s second-highest win total.
The RailRiders will host “Mariano Rivera Day” on Thursday, Sept. 3 against the Bisons with an appearance by the Yankees’ legendary closer himself. For more information please call (570) 969-BALL (2255) or visit swbrailriders.com.
OFF THE RAILS:
Johnny Barbato and Nick Goody combined to allow just one baserunner over the game’s last 5.1 innings. Barbato has allowed one run in 22.2 innings while whiffing 22. The IL has just 12 hits in that time for a .162 batting average against.
Rob Refsnyder went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI.
Kyle Roller delivered the team’s only other extra-base hit with a fourth-inning double.
Dustin Ackley went 1-for-3 with an RBI and was grazed by a full-count pitch. In four rehab games with SWB he has gone 5-for-13 (.385) with a double, a homer and three RBIs.
The win snapped a six-game road losing streak for SWB. The franchise has never lost seven consecutive road games as the Yankees’ top minor league club.
Buffalo suffered its league-worst 19th shutout loss while SWB recorded its ninth shutout win and second in four days.
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