The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders had a big 14-2 win over the Durham Bulls on Thursday at Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Eight out of nine batters in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre lineup got at least one hit, and all nine got on base as the RailRiders got their second consecutive win in the series.
Clayton Better and Nathan Wiles started the game for the RailRiders and Bulls, respectively, and both pitchers had a quick first inning.
The RailRiders once again were the first to score, getting two runs in the second inning. Jeter Downs got a single with two outs and then scored on a double from Josh VanMeter. Kevin Smith then got a hit to bring VanMeter home, giving SWB a 2-0 lead.
Carlos Narvaez hit a two-run home run in the third to increase the lead for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. It was Narvaez’s second home run of the season, and it went 381 feet to left-center.
Durham narrowed the RailRiders lead in the fifth inning with three consecutive hits. Former RailRider Rob Brantly brought in one run and another scored on a fielder’s choice, making the score 4-2.
The RailRiders responded with two runs in the sixth inning. Caleb Durbin hit a double to bring in VanMeter and Smith, increasing their lead to 6-2.
Durbin started the ninth with a solo home run to left. The RailRiders then scored seven runs in the inning with four walks, two hit batters, and a two-run double by Everson Pereira.
Beeter (W, 2-1) pitched five innings, striking out eight and allowing two runs on six hits. Duane Underwood, Jr. had a perfect sixth inning, and Tanner Tully pitched the final three innings for his first save since 2021. Wiles (L, 1-2) was the losing pitcher after giving up the first four runs.
Durbin led the offense with four runs batted in, while Narvaez, Pereira, Smith, and VanMeter each brought in two runs.
The RailRiders' 14-run performance is their best this season, surpassing their 12-run game on Opening Day at Buffalo.
The RailRiders and Bulls will play again on Friday night. Lefty Edgar Barclay will make his fifth start of the season for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Durham will pitch right-hander Jacob Waguespack. The game is set to start at 6:35 p.m.
