Norfolk, Va. – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders outhit the Norfolk Tides (Baltimore Orioles), 12-4, but fell in a Wednesday afternoon rubber match at Harbor Park, 3-1. The RailRiders (16-18) stranded 11 men on base and hit into three double plays as the Tides (19-14) won for the sixth time in seven games.
Tied 1-1 in the eighth, a walk and a blast changed the game. Reliever Jared Burton (0-1) issued a free pass to Henry Urrutia and Dariel Alvarez followed with a home run to left-center for the 3-1 final.
It made a winner out of former RailRider and New York Yankee Cesar Cabral (1-0). Closer Oliver Drake whiffed two in the ninth for his seventh save in as many tries.
SWB starter Matt Tracy gave up just one run over six frames. All three of the hits he allowed came in succession in the third with the last, an Urrutia single, plating former Yankee Jayson Nix for a 1-0 deficit.
Rob Refsnyder delivered a two-out, two-strike double in the seventh that scored Jonathan Galvez for a brief tie.
The RailRiders’ seven-game road trip continues with the first of four against the Durham Bulls (Tampa Bay Rays) on Thursday night at 7:05 p.m. SWB right-hander Jaron Long (1-2, 5.76) will face southpaw Scott Diamond (3-0, 2.45).
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 went 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles and a walk to extend his on-base streak to 15 games.
Refsnyder’s seventh-inning double was the team’s only hit in 10 chances with men in scoring position.
Ramon Flores went 2-for-5 as the leadoff man. He has reached base safely in 22 of his last 23 games.
Slade Heathcott pinch hit for Eddy Rodriguez at the start of the ninth. He struck out looking against Drake.
The SWB franchise has not won a series at Norfolk since 2009.
Rob Segedin went 3-for-4 with a line out to second base.
SWB hitting coach Marcus Thames was ejected by home plate umpire Jon Byrne in the fourth inning.
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