DURHAM, N.C. – Jacob Lindgren (1-1) fired a season-long 2.2 innings of clutch baseball as his Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders defeated the Durham Bulls (Tampa Bay Rays) on Friday night in 11 innings, 8-4. SWB (18-18) pitching compiled a season-best 17 strikeouts while the Bulls (20-16) fell for the fourth time in five games.
A four-run lead had vanished with the tying tally crossing after a bases-loaded walk in the eighth inning. Lindgren then entered and recorded two pivotal strikeouts in succession against heralded prospect/three-hole hitter Mikie Mahtook and big league veteran J.P. Arencibia to quell the threat.
In the ninth, the southpaw allowed a two-out swinging bunt single, but no runs. He followed that with a 1-2-3 10th against the top of Durham’s order.
The offense then sprung to life. Silent since the second, SWB’s sticks amassed a four-run 11th with run-scoring blows delivered by Nick Noonan, Cole Figueroa and Ben Gamel against big league veteran Ronald Belisario (0-1).
The RailRiders’ seven-game road trip continues with game three of the four-game set on Saturday evening at 5:05 p.m. SWB’s Bryan Mitchell (2-3, 4.26), a North Carolina native, will face fellow right-hander Dylan Floro (3-3, 4.46).
The RailRiders return home on Monday, May 18 to start a seven-game homestand with the first of three against the Charlotte Knights (Chicago White Sox). It will be a Dollar Dog Night with all hot dogs priced at $1. For tickets or more information, call 570-969-BALL (2255) or visit the team’s website, www.swbrailriders.com.
OFF THE RAILS:
Rob Refsnyder singled, walked and stole a bag to extend the league’s best active on-base streak to 17 games.
Durham stranded 14 men on base and went 2-for-16 with men in scoring position.
Seven of the RailRiders’ 12 hits were doubles.
Ben Gamel went 3-for-6 with two of those doubles and three RBIs.
Ramon Flores was walked intentionally as a pinch hitter. He has reached base safely in 24 of his last 25 games.
Starter Kyle Davies left in line for the win after five frames of two-run ball. He recorded a season-high seven strikeouts.
The RailRiders improved to 3-0 in extra-inning games while Durham fell to 0-3 in free baseball.
SWB’s bullpen inherited five runners and none scored.
Former RailRider and New York Yankee Jim Miller tossed 3.2 scoreless innings for Durham. He allowed just one hit, walked none and whiffed four.
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