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MOOSIC — An angry and animated Al Pedrique stormed out of the dugout for a second time within minutes, working himself up and into his second ejection of the season.

If the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders skipper was intent on inspiring his team, it worked.

Ben Gamel laced a run-scoring single in the bottom of the 10th inning to bring Jonathan Diaz home with the winning run Friday as the RailRiders rallied from a two-run deficit in the sixth inning to top Durham, 6-5 at PNC Field.

Gamel also produced the tying run when he stole third base, then scored on an overthrow in the eighth inning to even the game at 5-5.

That helped erase a long night of frustration.

The RailRiders left the bases loaded three times without scoring, and their bullpen imploded during the middle innings to cost Scranton/Wilkes-Barre a two-run lead of its own.

Pedrique exploded in the sixth inning.

He’d just watched the RailRiders lose a 3-1 advantage when the Bulls rallied for four runs, and by the time Durham scored its last run, Pedrique was especially peeved.

With runners on first and third, RailRiders reliever Giovanny Gallegos was called for a balk allowing Hank Conger to cross the plate with a 5-3 Durham lead.

Gallegos, who made an obvious move to first base without releasing the ball, appeared to argue he’d stepped off the back of the rubber — a legal move preceding a fake throw to first.

Arguing vehemently, Pedrique agreed strongly with his pitcher.

Third-base umpire Jeremie Rehak, who called the balk, didn’t.

And when Pedrique kept up his carping through the rest of the sixth inning, he was tossed from the game.

Without their leader, the RailRiders got right back into it.

Mason Williams singled, stole second base and moved to third on a passed ball in the bottom of the sixth. He later scored when Ike Davis pulled a solid single into right field as the RailRiders closed within 5-4.

They tied it two innings later.

Gamel began the eighth inning by drawing a walk, then scratched out a run all by himself.

Gamel stole second base.

He stole third.

And when the high throw from catcher Conger sailed into left field, Gamel picked himself up and charged home to even the score, 5-5.

That kept the RailRiders from regretting a complete collapse by their relief core in the sixth.

Triple-A rookie Casey Gillaspie, called up from Double-A less than a week ago, crushed his first home run for Durham off RailRiders reliever Phil Coke to pull the Bulls within 3-2 and trigger a four-run uprising.

Johnny Field added a game-tying, RBI double off Coke later in the frame, then Gallegos came on to allow Jake Hager to score on a passed ball and Conger to cross the plate on a balk.

Suddenly, a two-run lead became a two-run deficit for the RailRiders.

They grabbed a quick 1-0 lead in the first inning behind the speed of Williams.

He reached base on a leadoff bunt single, moved to second on a ground out, took third on a wild pitch and beat the throw home on an infield hopper off the bat of Gary Sanchez.

After Durham tied it 1-1 on doubles by Dayron Varona and Taylor Motter in the third, the RailRiders got two more when Williams punched a two-run single that scored Cesar Puello and Jonathan Diaz with a 3-1 Scranton/Wilkes-Barre lead.

That didn’t last long, but the game did.

In front of the RailRiders’ fourth sellout of 10,000 fans, the teams played 3 hours, 30 minutes before taking things to the 10th inning.

That’s when the RailRiders pulled it out.

Diaz drew a leadoff walk, and Williams moved him to second with a sacrifice bunt.

Facing a 1-2 count, Gamel — previously hitless in the series — laced a line drive into right-center field as Diaz charged home.

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders lead-off batter Mason Williams bunts his way to a single against Durham at PNC Field in Moosic on Friday night.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_TTL072316RailRiders_4CMYK.jpg.optimal.jpgScranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders lead-off batter Mason Williams bunts his way to a single against Durham at PNC Field in Moosic on Friday night. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

RailRiders’ Gary Sanchez takes off from first on a pitch by Durham’s Jaime Schultz.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_TTL072316RailRiders_5CMYK.jpg.optimal.jpgRailRiders’ Gary Sanchez takes off from first on a pitch by Durham’s Jaime Schultz. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

New York Yankees Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson stands with former Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and current New Jersey Devils head coach John Hynes at PNC Field in Moosic on Friday night. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_TTL072316RailRiders_2CMYK.jpg.optimal.jpgNew York Yankees Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson stands with former Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and current New Jersey Devils head coach John Hynes at PNC Field in Moosic on Friday night. Bill Tarutis | For Times LeaderBill Tarutis | For Times Leader

Former Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and current New Jersey Devils head coach John Hynes throws a ceremonial first pitch at ‘New Jersey Devils Night’ before the RailRiders game against Durham at PNC Field in Moosic on Friday night.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_TTL072316RailRiders_1CMYK.jpg.optimal.jpgFormer Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and current New Jersey Devils head coach John Hynes throws a ceremonial first pitch at ‘New Jersey Devils Night’ before the RailRiders game against Durham at PNC Field in Moosic on Friday night. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

RailRiders starter Brady Lail delivers a pitch against Durham at PNC Field in Moosic on Friday night.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_TTL072316RailRiders_3CMYK.jpg.optimal.jpgRailRiders starter Brady Lail delivers a pitch against Durham at PNC Field in Moosic on Friday night. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

By Paul Sokoloski

[email protected]

T.L. Express

A hitless series suddenly turned into a big hit for Ben Gamel. The RailRiders outfielder not only ran the team into the tying run by drawing a walk, stealing two bases and scoring on an overthrow, he lifted the RailRiders to a 6-5 victory over Durham with an RBI single in the bottom of the 10th inning.

Next Up: The RailRiders will be wearing USA-themed jerseys as they try to get a leg up on Durham as their four-game series continues with a 7:05 p.m. game Saturday at PNC Field.

Probable Pitchers: RailRiders LHP Dietrich Enns (3-1, 1.17) vs. Durham RHP Austin Pruitt (7-5, 3.90).

Fun for Fans: Tip your cap, as the first 2,500 fans through the gates will receive Camo Hats presented by MetLife. Maybe they can get Sparky Lyle to sign them, as the former Yankees closer will be on hand as part of the Yankees Legends Series at PNC Field. And if all that doesn’t get the attention of RailRiders fans, a postgame Jack Williams fireworks show certainly will.

On Deck: The RailRiders wrap up a four-game series with Durham in a 1:05 p.m. game Sunday at PNC Field.

Riding the Rails: No moves Friday, but Thursday brought enough of them, starting with Chad Green’s callup to the parent New York Yankees. At the same time, Nick Goody reported to the RailRiders after being optioned from New York. Brady Lail was transferred from Double-A Trenton to make Friday’s start for the RailRiders, and he brought reliever Jonathan Holder with him from Trenton.

On Radio: All RailRiders games can be heard live on The Game Radio Network (100.7-FM, 106.7-FM, 1340-AM, 1400-AM, 1440-AM) with John Sadak and Darren Headrick.

HOW THEY SCORED

RAILRIDERS fIRST: Mason Williams beat out a bunt single and raced to second base when Ben Gamel grounded out. Williams wheeled into third base on a wild pitch, then beat the throw home on a fielder’s choice bouncer by Gary Sanchez. RAILRIDERS 1-0

DURHAM THIRD: Dayron Varona ripped a hard double off the glove of third baseman Jose Rosario and one out later, strolled home when Taylor Motter dumped a double into the right-field corner. RAILRIDERS 1, DURHAM 1

RAILRIDERS FOURTH: Cesar Puello reached on an error and stole second base. Jonathan Diaz walked, and both runners moved up a base on a wild pitch. Mason Williams followed by punching a two-run single to center field, scoring Puello and Diaz. RAILRIDERS 3-1

DURHAM SIXTH: Casey Gillaspie, less than a week up from Double-A, crushed his first Triple-A home run to pull the Bulls within a run. Johnny Field got them even, drilling a run-scoring double after Richie Shaffer walked. Field was erased when Jake Hager reached base on a fielder’s choice, then Hank Conger roped a double to left field. Hager scored on a wild pitch that moved Conger to third base, and a few pitches later, he scored on a balk. DURHAM 5-3

RAILRIDERS SIXTH: Williams guided a single into left field, then stole second base. He scooted to third base on a passed ball, and after Sanchez walked, Ike Davis pulled a run-scoring single to right field to bring Williams home. DURHAM 5-4

RAILRIDERS EIGHTH: Ben Gamel drew a walk, then stole second base. He also stole third, and continued home when the throw from catcher Conger sailed into left field. RAILRIDERS 5, DURHAM 5

RAILRIDERS TENTH: Diaz drew a leadoff walk and Williams sacrificed him to second base. Gamel then drilled a single into the right-center field gap to bring Diaz home with the winning run. RAILRIDERS 6-5

Reach Paul Sokoloski at 570-991-6392 or on Twitter @TLPaulSokoloski