The Scranton-Wilkes-Barre RailRiders bats couldn’t solve the Columbus Clippers’ right hander, Julian Merryweather Tuesday evening at PNC Field. After an early hole was dug they couldn’t rebound and lost in a 5-0 game.
It was the first time in eight years the RailRiders have been shut out in back to back games. This was, in part, because of the stellar performance on the mound by the Cleveland Indians number 25 prospect, Merryweather. He finished the game pitching eight innings, giving up no runs, four hits, no walks, and striking out eight.
“(Merryweather) was able to stay around the zone throughout (the game),” RailRiders’ Catcher Eddy Rodriguez said. “If you were sitting on one pitch or the other you weren’t able to react.”
The runs for Columbus were kicked off in the first inning. Richie Shaffer took a fastball from SWB starting pitcher Domingo German and put it in the visitor’s bullpen down the left field line giving them a 1-0 lead. However, they wouldn’t waste any time adding on.
The Clippers’ bats put a hurting on the RailRiders in the top of the third inning. Nellie Rodriguez led it off with a double and was driven in a few batters later by a Ronnie Rodriguez single. Indians’ prospect Giovani Urshella then grounded to short and Gleyber Torres threw the ball away trying to turn the double play. That was closely followed by a Chris Collabello double putting Columbus 5-0 to end the inning.
“(German’s) overall command improved throughout the game,” Rodriguez said. “We tried to go in on a couple of the guys but the ball stayed up in the zone.”
Domingo German had a 9.2 scoreless innings streak coming in to his Tuesday start. Despite giving up 5 runs, he had very good stuff on the mound. He had an excellent changeup and a good fastball but, at times, he had trouble locating the fastball which was ultimately his downfall.
“I thought he threw the ball well except for the one inning,” RailRiders’ manager Al Pedrique said. “After that he settled down and kept us in the game. He threw some good breaking balls and threw some changeups in fastball counts. I give him credit because he gave us some much-needed innings.”
He was able to pitch seven innings with 5 runs given up, no walks, and five strikeouts.
RailRider Notes:
- Gleyber Torres made his AAA home debut in the game and was 0-3 with a strike.
- Tyler Austin, currently on a rehab assignment, went 2-4 with a double and single in the game.
Up Next:
The RailRiders take on Columbus for a double-header Wednesday morning at PNC Field. First pitch of the first game is at 10:35am (School Day). Michael Peoples is on the mound for Columbus in game one. He’ll match up against Chance Adams (2-1, 2.12 ERA) for the RailRiders. In game two (30 min after the completion of game 1) Chris Narveson (0-2, 4.15 ERA) pitches for the Clippers and Joe Mantiply (2-2, 2.53 ERA) goes for Scranton Wilkes-Barre.
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