Moosic, PA – Down nine runs at one point, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (Triple-A/New York Yankees) fought back to bring the tying run to the plate in the ninth. The comeback fell short, however, in a 13-10 loss to the Durham Bulls. After winning the first five meetings, the RailRiders (22-23) dropped the final three outings to the Bulls (24-22).
Matt Tracy (0-2) was hit hard in the loss. The left-hander allowed seven runs on six hits in 1.2 innings. Scott Diamond (4-2) tossed five innings to earn the victory. He allowed five runs, three earned, on eight hits. Jhan Marinez recorded the final out for his first save.
Ramon Flores tallied the initial run of the game with his first double in the opening frame. Durham responded with a seven-run second to chase Tracy from the game. The Bulls built a 9-1 lead in the third when Allan Dykstra and Richie Shaffer clubbed back-to-back homers off reliever Eric Wooten.
Flores tried to spark the SWB offense in the bottom of the third by stroking his second double of the day. The left fielder scored when Rob Refsnyder reached on a throwing error by shortstop Taylor Motter. Austin Romine cut the score to 9-3 with a solo shot to left in the fourth.
In the fifth, J.P. Arencibia homered to left and the Bulls scored two more on hits by Leonardo Reginatto and Motter to push the advantage to 12-3. The RailRiders responded with two in their half of the fifth on another throwing error by Motter and an RBI-single from Kyle Roller.
Shaffer and Tyler Austin swapped solo home runs in the seventh and eighth innings respectively before SWB started their final push in the ninth.
Against reliever Andy Oliver, Mason Williams tripled for his fourth hit of the day. The center fielder finished a home run shy of the cycle. Flores and Roller sandwiched a strikeout with walks. Romine singled home Williams and Austin followed with a run-producing hit. Now trailing 13-8, Jonathan Galvez reached on a force out at second to plate another run.
Marinez replaced Oliver, but immediately surrendered a single to Rob Segedin that scored Romine. Nick Noonan nearly tied the game on a deep drive to right that hooked foul. Marinez struck him out on a foul tip the next pitch to seal the game.
The RailRiders begin a three-game series at Pawtucket on Monday evening. Right-hander Jaron Long (2-3, 5.18) opposes southpaw Henry Owens (2-2, 3.19). First pitch at McCoy Stadium is set for 6:15 p.m. For tickets or more information, call 570-969-BALL (2255) or visit the team’s website, www.swbrailriders.com.
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