SYRACUSE, NY - Thursday night's series-opener between the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders and Syracuse Chiefs moved into the 10th inning tied 3-3, when the RailRiders offense- dormant since the 3rdinning- exploded for six runs as part of a 9-5 win.
The inning began with Abiatal Avelino standing at second base as the pace-of-play runner. Bruce Caldwell notched a single to left field and set up Kyle Higashioka's run-scoring double to make it 4-3. Runners were at second and third when Mark Payton drilled a sacrifice fly to left-centerfield to plate Caldwell and push Higashioka to third base. It was 5-3 with one out when the lineup turned over for Clint Frazier who walked, setting up Tyler Wade's RBI single.
The next man up was Brandon Drury whose double plated a pair of runs to blow it open 7-3 en route to a 9-3 lead heading to the bottom of the 9th.
The scoring began for the RailRiders in the top of the first with two down, Drury hit a solo home run off Phillips Valdez. It was Drury's third of the season and his first since May 27 at PNC Field against the Chiefs.
After Syracuse tied the game on a sac fly in the bottom of the first, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre regained the lead in the second. Billy McKinney walked and was balked to second base. Avelino reached on a fielder's choice and McKinney was awarded third base on defensive interference. A Caldwell fielder's choice brought in McKinney for a 2-1 edge. Wade led off the third inning with a solo home run; his second this season and his 12th run batted in.
The Chiefs tallied their second run of the night in the bottom of the third on three singles. RailRiders starter Justus Sheffield pitched five and a third, allowing two runs on eight hits with six strikeouts.
The RailRiders continue their four-game series with the Chiefs at PNC Field Friday night. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at NBT Bank Stadium. LHP Josh Rogers (5-5, 3.72) toes the slab for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, while Syracuse send RHP Brady Dragmire to the mound for his Chiefs debut. Pregame coverage with Adam Marco and Adam Giardino begins at 6:35 p.m.