Leading by four runs in the ninth inning didn't seem secure, especially while playing away against the current International League and Triple-A national champions.
The RailRiders had to hold on as first-place Norfolk made a late push, bringing the potential winning run to the plate in the final inning, but ultimately secured a 5-2 win over the Tides in the first game of Tuesday's series.
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre took the lead early and never fell behind, scoring three runs in the third inning with an RBI single from Josh VanMeter and a two-run single from Everson Pereira.
Norfolk managed to score a run in the fourth inning with a solo home run by Coby Mayo. However, Pereira extended his impressive performance with a two-run homer in the eighth inning to give his team a 5-1 lead.
The Tides remained competitive until the end, loading the bases against reliever Yerry De Los Santos before Connor Norby drove in a run with a single, reducing the gap to 5-2 with two outs.
However, the RailRiders brought in Anthony Misiewicz, who struck out Heston Kjerstad with the bases loaded to end the game. Misiewicz earned the save for starter Edgar Barclay, who recorded seven strikeouts in five innings for the win.
Pereira (four RBI) and Caleb Durbin (double) each contributed two hits at the top of the lineup, while the rest of the team only managed two hits out of 24 at-bats.
Norfolk's Jackson Holliday, widely regarded as the top prospect in baseball, went 1-for-4 with a double and a walk in the leadoff position.
The six-game series will continue at 6:35 p.m. on Wednesday at Harbor Park.
