Canzler Collects Three Hits in Victory

Moosic, Pa. – NEPA’s own Russ Canzler added three hits and keyed two defensive plays as the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders pounded out 14 base hits en route to a 7-6 victory over the Indianapolis Indians (Pittsburgh Pirates) Monday night at PNC Field. The win was the second-straight for SWB, moving the club to within a game of the .500 mark.

SWB’s first run scored in the second after Canzler reached on a walk and came around to score on a double by Ronnier Mustelier. The final tally came to fruition after Jose Pirela tripled pushed the lead to 2-1.

Indianapolis claimed its first run in the visiting fourth after chasing RailRider starter Shane Greene. Gregory Polanco added the second of his four hits and reached on a single before a throwing error by Greene allowed the prospect to move to third. Polanco later scored on a groundball to short drew the game to 3-1.

Austin Romine joined the fun with a two-run home run in the fourth. The dinger by Romine was his first of the season and was part of a three-run frame by the RailRiders that swung the advantage to 5-1.

Indianapolis crept closer with three runs in the sixth, adding multiple extra-base hits in the frame that included a two-run home run by Jeff Decker. The dinger crept the Indians closer 6-5.

SWB avoided the shutdown frame, adding a run in home sixth. Wilk departed the game after giving up a single to Romine before back-to-back base hits by Scott Sizemore and Zoilo Almonte helped plate SWB’s final run.

The Indians, after playing eight-straight one-run contests, did its best to even the game in the ninth inning.  Chris Dickerson led off the inning with a double to right before Polanco drove him in on a laser to left-center. The big play came after a base hit by Brent Morel moved Polanco to third, before Canzler cut down the third baseman after rounding first for the second out the inning. SWB closer Matt Daley (3) induced a flyball to Chris McGuinees to earn the save.

It all added up to a 7-6 victory for the RailRiders. Jim Miller (2-1) tossed two shutout frames in the win, while Wilk (3-2) was slated with the loss.

The RailRiders will continue an eight-game homestand Tuesday, May 6 at 6:35 p.m. as the club hosts the Indianapolis Indians for the second of a four-game tilt.  SWB will toss right-hander Chase Whitley (2-2, 3.38) while the Indians have yet to announce a starter. John Sadak and Aaron Berlin will have the call on radio with the pregame show beginning at 6:05 p.m. on NEPA Sports Radio – The GAME, Northeast PA’s largest sports radio network: 100.7 FM, 1340 WYCK-AM, 1400 WICK-AM, 1440 WCDL-AM and 106.7 FM. For season ticket information, single-game tickets or to book a ballpark group outing, call (570) 969-BALL (2255) or visit swbrailriders.com.

OFF THE RAILS:

• Russ Canzler’s three hit day was the first of the season.
• Austin Romine had his first two-hit game since April 13 against the Buffalo Bisons.
• The RailRiders have recorded 32 base hits over the last two ballgames.

– SWB RailRiders – All Aboard! –