Triple-A Playoffs: RailRiders Tie Series On Walks, Chihuahuas Take 2-0 Lead

INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE FINALS

Scranton/WB RailRiders 2, Gwinnett Braves 1

RailRiders Donovan Solano scored the tying run on a bases loaded walk in the bottom of the ninth inning. Photo by Gabe Rodriguez/Legend on Deck

The Gwinnett Braves were one inning away from taking a 2-0 lead in their best of 5 game series with the Scranton/WB RailRiders but four walks and a hit by pitch allowed Scranton to walk away with a series tying victory.

RailRiders starter Phil Coke tossed 7.1 innings, allowing just three hits and striking out nine batters, and gave up only one run after retiring the first 11 Braves he faced. In the top of the fourth inning, Ronnier Mustelier hit a two out single, then scored when Sean Kazmar doubled to right field giving the Braves an early 1-0 lead.

Braves starter Chris Ellis tossed six shutout innings, not allowing a hit, while walking four and striking out five. Ellis then handed the ball over to Madison Younginer who pitched two more scoreless innings, allowing just one hit, but the ball was handed over and it all came unwrapped in the bottom of the ninth inning when the RailRiders rallied for two runs on no hits and all walks. An unexpected meltdown by the Braves bullpen allowed the RailRiders to tie the series at 1-1.

PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE

El Paso Chihuahuas 10, Oklahoma City Dodgers 4

Padres’ prospect Austin Hedges homered twice and drove in three runs to help lead El Paso to a 2-0 series lead. Image Source Foxsports.com

El Paso continued their hot hitting as they pounded out 14 hits and 10 runs against the Dodgers to take a 2-0 lead in the best of five game series.

Austin Hedges was the star of the game as he homered twice and finished the game 3 for 4, with three runs scored and three RBIs. Carlos Asuaje added a home run, Manuel Margot tripled twice and scored two runs and drove in one and Jose Rondon drove in two of his own.

As for the Dodgers they managed 13 hits but could only push across four runs, and now head home with an opportunity to fight off elimination and get back into the series.

David Conde

David is the Co-Founder and Executive Editor of Legends On Deck®, as well as a Co-Host on Legends On Deck Podcast. David was a Senior Editor for MetsMerizedOnline.com, MetsMinors.net and Contributor for Hardballchat.com that spanned from 2010 to 2014. David made his MLB Debut as a writer in June 2014, while covering the NY Mets at Citi Field, for MetsmerizedOnline.com. David also coaches baseball for ages 13-15, a Babe Ruth League team in his local community. David's passion is coaching the game he loves to the future Legends of Tomorrow as well as making available a website that people can have fun sharing and reading. David is also passionate about his career as a Mortgage Loan Officer which allows him to help many families reach their dreams of owning a home. Connect with David via his Social Media pages as he loves to chat all about baseball.