Scranton/Wilkes-Barre had good reason to feel confident. The RailRiders entered Thursday with the best record in all of Triple-A and proceeded to put up three runs in the first inning against last-place Rochester.
A very good spot to be in. But not good enough.
The Red Wings shut down the RailRiders over the final eight innings, tied the game in the fifth and then dramatically won it 5-3 on Luis Garcia’s walk-off, two-run homer with one out in the bottom of the ninth. All five Rochester runs came on homers.
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre was in position to take the lead in the top of the frame as Brandon Wagner led off with a single and stole second base. But Rochester reliever Justin Miller responded by striking out Zack Zehner, Andrew Velazquez and Estevan Florial to end the threat.
Nestor Cortes came back out for his third inning of relief for the RailRiders and quickly snagged a pop-up on a bunt to retire his seventh batter in a row.
Things abruptly fell apart after that as Rafael Bautista went small — a single on a grounder to short — and Garcia went big, sending a 1-1 pitch over the wall in left center to win the game.
It was a tough way to end the night for the RailRiders (11-4), who got a two-run double by Socrates Brito and an RBI single from Thomas Milone in the top of the first for a 3-0 lead.
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre managed just four hits the rest of the way.
Rochester answered in the bottom of the second when Brandon Snyder hit a solo shot off RailRiders starter Brian Keller to cut it to 3-1.
Daniel Palka added a two-run homer in the bottom of the fifth off of Brooks Kriske to tie the game. Cortes took the loss, a blemish on an otherwise impressive start to the season for the lefty, whose ERA is still only 1.64 after giving up the decisive two-run shot.
Wagner had two hits to lead the RailRiders, who finished with seven. Hoy Jun Park and Florial both doubled.
The series continues with a 7:05 p.m. game Friday in Rochester.
Changes at PNC Field
The RailRiders announced that their next homestand, which begins Tuesday against Buffalo, will have altered COVID-19 protocols — most notably lifting the masking requirement for fans who are fully vaccinated.
Fans who are not fully vaccinated must still wear masks at all times, and other precautions will remain in effect. Social distancing will be enforced while entering and exiting the stadium, tickets will remain digital and cash will not be accepted inside the park.
PNC Field will return to full capacity the following week for the homestand beginning June 1 against Lehigh Valley. The team is putting single-game tickets on sale for the rest of the season at 10 a.m. Friday.