RailRiders walk to victory, even Championship series

MOOSIC, Penn. — The Gwinnett Braves entered the ninth inning holding a 1-0 lead, but Bradley Roney and Maikel Cleto combined to issue four walks in the final frame as the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders won 2-1 to even the Governors’ Cup Championship Series at 1-1. The G-Braves lost despite allowing just one hit all night.
 
Roney (L, 0-1) walked Donovan Solano and Chris Parmelee to start the inning, and hit Kyle Higashioka with a pitch to load the bases. Cleto (BS, 1) replaced him and allowed a game-tying walk to Jake Cave and game-winning walk to Pete Kozma.
 
Gwinnett had led 1-0 since the fourth inning, when Ronnier Mustelier reached on a single and scored on Sean Kazmar Jr.’s bloop double to right field.
 
Starter Chris Ellis made that lead stand up over 6.0 scoreless, no-hit innings. Ellis worked around four walks and struck out five in a 104-pitch, 58-strike outing.
 
Madison Younginer continued the no-hitter for an additional 1.1 innings before yielding a pinch-hit double to Cito Culver with one out in the eighth. Younginer stranded him at second base as he retired the next two batters.
 
The G-Braves managed just a run on three hits against left-hander Phil Coke, who struck out nine over 7.1 innings for the RailRiders. Giovanny Gallegos (W, 2-0) followed with 1.2 scoreless innings and two strikeouts.
 
Kazmar Jr. went 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI for Gwinnett. Rio Ruiz also doubled, finishing 1-for-3.
 
Culver had the only hit for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, going 1-for-1 with a double.
 
The best-of-five Governors’ Cup Championship Series shifts to Coolray Field in Lawrenceville, GA for Game 3 on Thursday night. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. Right-hander Tyrell Jenkins (0-0, 3.60 ERA) is slated to start for Gwinnett, while Scranton/Wilkes-Barre will counter with right-hander Brady Lail (0-0, 2.25 ERA). Tony Schiavone and Nick Green have the call on 97.7 FM beginning at 6:35 p.m.
 
The Gwinnett Braves are offering a special ticket deal for the Governors’ Cup Championship Series. Fans who purchase a $15 Infield Box ticket will also receive a FREE $10 food voucher! Plus, all fans will receive a FREE Foam Tomahawk to help cheer the G-Braves on to victory!
 
Tickets for Game 3, as well as Game 4 on Friday at 7:05 p.m. and Game 5 (if necessary) on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. are on sale now at the Coolray Field Ticket Office. Call 678-277-0340 or visit GwinnettBraves.com/tickets to purchase.