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An offensive explosion

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Back Mountain captures District 31 Little League title

MOOSIC &#8212; The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders got back in the win column for the first time since the All-Star break behind dominant pitching and a late offensive output for their sixth shut-out victory of the season Saturday night.In his first appearance off of the 7-day disabled list, Erik Swanson set the tone for the RailRiders, keeping the Rochester Red Wings off balance all night, despite having been placed on a strict pitch count.Swanson pitched 4.2 shutout innings as the RailRiders (47-43) beat Rochester (43-45), 4-0.&#8220;Our pitching was outstanding tonight,&#8221; said RailRiders manager Bobby Mitchell. &#8220;Offensively we did better but we need to start getting hits with runners in scoring position.&#8220;We hope to keep rolling. We are going to score runs it&#8217;s just a matter of getting into the swing of things after the three day break.&#8221;Before the game, RailRiders skipper Bobby Mitchell said Swanson would be on a 57-pitch count. Mitchell stayed true to his word and pulled Swanson after 57 pitches on the nose, despite the right-hander&#8217;s impressive outing.&#8220;For not throwing at this level in awhile, he had really good command of his off-speed pitches,&#8221; Mitchell said. &#8220;It&#8217;s a really good sign that he&#8217;s healthy and that he can help us down the stretch.&#8221;Swanson hadn&#8217;t pitched at the Triple-A level since June 12 when he came away with a victory over the very same Red Wings.The right-hander was effective even in a limited capacity, allowing just two hits while striking out three.&#8220;I asked (RailRiders pitching coach Tommy Phelps) if I could get one more batter if I was at 56 pitches,&#8221; Swanson jokingly said. &#8220;But it was good to be back.&#8220;I felt somewhat back to normal, my arm felt good. I knew I threw a lot of fastballs. But if I&#8217;m having success with it, I&#8217;ll keep doing it.&#8221;Mike Ford launched a solo-shot into the Rochester bullpen in the top of the second inning off Red Wings starter Kohl Stewart to get things going.Ford&#8217;s home run was looking to be the game&#8217;s lone run until an offensive outburst that he would start in the bottom of the eighth inning.The designated hitter was hit by a pitch at the top of his foot. Ford trotted gingerly to first base before Mitchell called L.J. Mazzilli off the bench to pinch-run for him. After the game, Mitchell said that Ford was going to have an x-ray on the top of his foot.&#8220;He was pretty sore and I think he will probably be pretty sore for tomorrow&#8217;s game,&#8221; Mitchell said.With Mazzilli at first, Ryan McBroom laced a single to right field sending the pinch runner to third base.With runners on the corners, Abiatal Avelino with two hits already recorded in the contest roped a first-pitch triple to right-center plating Mazzilli and McBroom to extend the RailRiders&#8217; lead to 3-0.All three of Avelino&#8217;s hits in the contest were to the opposite field.&#8220;I just tried to look for the fastball and go to the opposite field,&#8221; Avelino said.&#8220;When he&#8217;s going the other way and hitting the right center field gap that&#8217;s when he&#8217;s at his best,&#8221; Mitchell added. &#8220;He was really aggressive tonight and it carried throughout the night.&#8221;Before his demotion back to Triple-A, Brandon Drury had five hits in his last 32 at bats.In his return to the RailRiders lineup Friday night, Drury went 0-for-4 at the plate. Things changed for the third baseman when he went 2-for-4 at the plate in Saturday&#8217;s win.Mitchell hopes his team has continued success after their victory Saturday night.&#8220;We hope to keep rolling,&#8221; Mitchell said. &#8220;We are going to score runs it&#8217;s just a matter of getting into the swing of things after the three day break.&#8221;NotesThe Red Wings placed Byron Buxton on the 7-day disabled list with a sprained left wrist before the game started. &#8230; In the top of the sixth inning, Nick Gordon left the game due to an apparent injury when facing J.P. Feyereisen. Leonardo Reginatto manned the keystone in his place.<style>
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<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta>By Dan Stokesdstokes@www.timesleader.com</bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><factboxMeta>T.L. EXPRESSToday&#8217;s Game: The RailRiders wrap up their four-game series against the Rochester Red Wings at PNC Field. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m.Probable Pitchers: SWB RHP Luis Cessa vs. ROC RHP Ervin Santana (MLB rehab)Today at PNC Field: Joe Torre Safe at Home Day &#8212; First 500 fans to enter PNC Field will get 1 Topps baseball card set and 1 Topps Joe Torre card; Bush&#8217;s Baked Beans Canned Food Drive &#8212; Bring in a can of food for a free lawn ticket to game, all food donations will go to the Weinberg Northeast Regional Food Bank; Family FUNday &#8212; Kids run the bases after the game, CHAMP&#8217;s Kids Club members receive free admission and kids 12 and under receive a free meal voucher for Jersey Mike&#8217;s Subs; Military Discount &#8212; $2 off walk-up tickets only with a miliatry ID; Wendy&#8217;s Kids Club Day.Riding the Rails: LHP Justus Sheffield has been placed on the Temporary Inactive List (Futures Game); RHP Erik Swanson has been activated from the 7-day DL.On Radio: All RailRiders games can be heard live on NEPA Sports Radio - The Game.</factboxMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta>Reach Dan Stokes at 570-991-6389 or on Twitter @ByDanStokes</shirttailMeta></div>

Abiatal Avelino’s big day, dominant pitching lead RailRiders to victoy