RailRiders swept in Sanchez’s return to Scranton

Moosic, Pa. – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders took on the Charlotte Knights at PNC Field in a three game series this past week. The Knights would go on to take all three games of the series in dominating fashion, making this the first time SWB has been swept at home this season.

The first game of the series on Tuesday was a home run-hitting nail-biter. Solo shots by Clint Frazier and Trey Amburgey in the third and fourth innings erased the two run lead the Knights had. Another solo home run by Wendell Rijo in the seventh put the RailRiders ahead for the first time that game. Charlotte was quick to tie it back up in the eighth on a home run by Daniel Palka. The game went into extra innings, where the Knights quickly put up two in the top of the tenth inning. Charlotte took the first game of the series by a score of 5-3.

On Wednesday, SWB looked to redeem themselves, this time with an added spark. New York Yankees starting catcher Gary Sanchez made his return to Scranton for a two-game rehab assignment that spanned the rest of the series. Sanchez hasn’t seen any live game time since he was put on the 10-day injured list on July 24 with a left groin strain. He was sent to SWB for a quick rehab stint before rejoining the big club in Toronto on Friday. 

The RailRiders redemption didn’t come Wednesday night as the Knights went on to beat them 12-2. The only two runs for SWB came in the bottom of the fourth inning. Ryan McBroom started off the threat with a single that would turn into a double due to a throwing error. A single by Trey Amburgey and a walk ended up loading the bases, giving SWB their first and only real scoring threat of the night. A single by Erik Kratz then brought in the only two runs the team would see all game.

Things looked to be different Thursday night as SWB took an early 4-0 lead. A three-run home run by Thairo Estrada in the first followed by a solo home run by Rijo gave the team some hope that this game would be different. 

The RailRiders managed to hold onto the lead until the eighth inning, when Charlotte’s Luis Roberts hit a two run home run to tie the game. Charlotte went on to score three more runs in the top of the ninth, winning the game 7-4 and giving the RailRiders their first series loss at home this season.

Sanchez was quiet throughout his two games with the team, only going a combined 1-for-5 in two games. He looked to be himself behind the plate, even nailing a throw to second to catch a runner stealing in Thursday’s game. 

SWB will look to turn things around as they begin another three game series at home against the Gwinnett Stripers. The first game of the series is on Friday, August 9 at 7:05 pm.