RailRiders earn twinbill sweep

First Posted: 4/29/2013

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Scranton/Wilkes-Barre continues to have success away from PNC Field on Monday night sweeping a doubleheader from Charlotte winning the first game 5-4 before taking the second 5-0.

In the first game, the RailRiders defeated the Knights led by Corban Joseph, who went 2-for-3, including his team-leading fourth home run of the season. He also finished with three RBI. Joseph’s blast in the top of the third tied the game at 1-1.

SWB wasn’t done, getting right back at things in the next inning with three more runs. Cody Johnson gave the RailRiders the lead at 2-1 with a run-scoring single before Joseph plated two more with a single to push the score to 4-1.

After the RailRiders extended the lead to 5-1 on an RBI hit by Melky Mesa (2-for-3), it appeared as if the lead was safe.

But closer Preston Claiborne made things interesting in the bottom of the seventh as the Knights loaded the bases. Charlotte scored twice in the inning before Claiborne struck out Josh Bell to end the game and secure the victory.

RailRiders’ starter Dellin Betances only lasted 3 1/3 innings and took a no-decision. Sam Demel (1-0) earned the win going 2 2/3 perfect innings with three strikeouts.

In the second game, Zoilo Almonte rescued the RailRiders twice.

The team loaded the bases with no outs in the top of the third and almost left them stranded after two outs and two strikes against Almonte. But he cleared the bags with a double for a 3-0 lead. Almonte came through again with two outs in the top of the fifth after SWB had runners on first and second with no outs. This time, he knocked in one with a single, pushing the advantage to 4-0.

That’s all Chris Bootcheck needed. The right-hander once again dominated on the mound for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, going six scoreless innings to improve his record to 3-0 and lower his already microscopic ERA to 0.38. For the third time in four starts this season, he didn’t give up any runs. In 24 innings to date, he’s allowed just one run.

Almonte, Addison Maruszak and Bobby Farnham all had two hits for SWB.

Game 1

RailRiders 5, Knights 4

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E – Morel (2). LOB—SWB 7, CHA 7. TEAM RISP – SWB 2-for-9, CHA 4-for-13. 2B—Almonte (6), Adams (4), Mesa (2), Morel (4). HR – Joseph (4). GIDP – SWB 0, CHA 2. SAC – Wilson, Velazquez. SF – Mesa. Outfield assists – Anderson (Joseph out at second).

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Septimo pitched to 2 batters in the sixth

WP: Betances 2, Demel

Umpires—Home, A.J. Johnson; First, Chad Whitson; Second, Jon Saphire; Third, David Rackley

T—2:27.

Game 2

RailRiders 5, Knights 0

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E – Tolleson (2). PB – Farnham (1). LOB—SWB 6, CHA 4. TEAM RISP – SWB 5-for-12, CHA 0-for-3. 2B—Maruszak 2 (4), Almonte (7), Tolleson (4). SB — Tolleson (2). CS — Durango (4, 2^nd base by Bootcheck/Farnham)

Inherited runners-scored: Moskos 1-1.

Umpires—Home, A.J. Johnson; First, Chad Whitson; Second, Jon Saphire; Third, David Rackley

T—2:02. A—1,339.