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BUFFALO, N.Y. — Abiatal Avelino hit a run-scoring single in the ninth inning, leading the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders to a 3-1 win over the Buffalo Bisons on Friday.
Nick Rumbelow got Raffy Lopez to ground out with a runner on second to end the game for his first save of the season.
The single by Avelino, part of a two-run inning, gave the RailRiders a 2-1 lead before Jake Cave scored on a passed ball later in the inning.
In the top of the first, Scranton/WB took the lead on a double by Billy McKinney that scored Mason Williams. Buffalo answered in the bottom of the inning when Jason Leblebijian hit an RBI double, driving in Roemon Fields.
Giovanny Gallegos (1-1) got the win with 2 2/3 innings of scoreless relief while J.P. Howell (0-1) took the loss in the International League game.
With the win, Scranton/WB improved to 10-5 against Buffalo this season.
Quintana happy to join Cubs’ playoff push
BALTIMORE — Jose Quintana didn’t have to travel far when he was traded from the Chicago White Sox to the Cubs.
However, he understands the expectations are worlds apart.
Entering Friday, the Cubs (43-45) trailed Milwaukee by 5 ½ games in the National League Central. The Cubs believe Quintana, an All-Star last season, can help get them back on track as they try to defend their World Series title, which ended 108 years of frustration last fall.
“I said one day I want to be here,” said Quintana, who will make his Cubs debut Sunday against the Orioles at Camden Yards. “I’m so excited to be here with this team. Hopefully, I’ll have a chance this year. I just want to help this team and do my job.”
Quintana is also looking to put a difficult first half of the season behind him. He was 4-8 with a 4.49 ERA in 18 starts for the White Sox this year. In 2016, he won a career-high 13 games with a 3.20 ERA.
“I’m not surprised that they moved me, but I didn’t know where I’d go,” Quintana said. “I’m so happy I moved to the other side of the city and stayed in Chicago. I’m really happy. I think it was the best situation for me.”
Red Sox DFA Sandoval
BOSTON — Panda-mania is over in Boston before it ever really began.
The Red Sox designated third baseman Pablo Sandoval for assignment on Friday, cutting their losses on the $95 million free agent who was never productive or healthy enough to replicate the popularity — or World Series success — he had in San Francisco.
The Red Sox have 10 days to trade or release the 30-year-old Sandoval, who was activated from the disabled list (inner ear infection) and returned from an injury rehab assignment with Triple-A Pawtucket. Unless they can find a taker for part of his salary, they will have paid $95 million for a total of 161 games, 575 at-bats, 136 hits and 14 homers — and not a single one of them in the postseason.
“It really came down to us feeling we were not a better club if he was on our club at the major league level,” Boston president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said.
Dombrowski said conversations have been going on for the past few weeks with Red Sox ownership about Sandoval. He said a possibility of a minor league assignment was discussed with Sandoval and his agent, but that Sandoval declined that option in a conversation on Thursday.
Nationals put Ross on DL
CINCINNATI — The Washington Nationals put right-hander Joe Ross on the 10-day disabled list with a sprained elbow on Friday and revamped their bullpen for a series against the Reds.
Ross went 2-1 with a 2.36 ERA in his last four starts before the injury. He’s 5-3 overall with a 5.01 ERA in 13 starts.
The Nationals also called up relievers Austin Adams and Trevor Gott from Triple-A Syracuse. Left-hander Sammy Solis was optioned to Syracuse.