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MOOSIC — The pure power of Aaron Judge and his 16 home runs earned the hulking Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders outfielder the International League’s Player of the Month for June and helped make him a starting Triple-A All-Star.

But the 6-foot-7, 275-pound New York Yankees prospect doesn’t always rely on brute strength for production.

Instead of celebrating the Fourth of July with a big booming fireworks display Monday, Judge made plenty of noise with a couple of firecrackers.

His two-run single in the third inning and RBI hit in the fifth proved enough to lift the RailRiders over Lehigh Valley, 5-2 at PNC Field on Monday.

“It’s all about getting on base and just trying to keep the chain moving,” Judge said.

In doing that, he moved the numbers on the scoreboard.

A couple batters after Eddy Rodriguez used the first of his three hits to tie the game 1-1 in the second inning, Judge stepped to the plate with two outs and two runners in scoring position.

He responded by blistering a single to center field, scoring Rodriguez and Ben Gamel for a 3-1 lead the RailRiders never lost.

“For me, it’s getting a good pitch to hit,” Judge said. “If I make solid contact, it’ll get the job done. If not, the guys in back of me will get it done.”

Rodriguez got things done by scoring twice during his 3 for 4 night, and the RailRiders also prospered with plenty of defense.

RailRiders left fielder Cesar Puello ran a country mile into foul territory to chase down Cedric Hunter’s high drive with a headlong dive for the catch in the second inning. And RailRiders first baseman Tyler Austin immediately followed by tracking down a looper off the bat of Cam Perkins with a nifty, over-the-shoulder grab in short right field.

An inning later, RailRiders shortstop Jonathan Diaz fielder a chopper up the middle, stepped on second base with a runner bearing down on him and fired to first for a double play.

After Lehigh Valley turned a double play in the fifth inning, Judge used another two-out single to drive home Rodriguez for the second time and double the RailRiders lead, 4-2.

“We’ve got so much talent in this lineup,” Judge said. “We’ve got Tyler Austin, Gary Sanchez has been on fire. I’m trying to get on base for them.”

Lehigh Valley had men on base all night against RailRiders starter Luis Severino, but the hard-throwing righthander worked out of trouble while surrendering eight hits in his seven innings and limited the IronPigs to single runs in the first and fifth innings. He moved to 5-0 on the season and remained unbeaten over two seasons with the RailRiders, running his Triple-A record to 12-0.

Nick Goody worked a perfect ninth inning for his third save of the season, but the RailRiders saved their best for last.

They signed hats to be auctioned off for charity after most of the team sat near the dugout watching an impressive postgame fireworks display at PNC Field.

“Amazing,” Judge called it. “Really nice.”

RailRiders 5, Lehigh Valley 2

Lehigh Valley`AB`R`H`BI

Featherston 3b`4`0`2`1

Crawford ss`4`0`0`0

Williams lf`4`1`1`0

Ruf 1b`4`0`1`1

Knapp c`4`0`0`0

Hunter dh`4`0`0`0

Perkins cf`4`0`0`0

Lough rf`3`1`3`0

Burriss 2b`3`0`1`0

Totals`34`2`8`2

RailRiders`AB`R`H`BI

Gamel dh`3`1`2`1

Solano 3b`4`0`0`0

Judge rf`4`0`2`3

Austin 1b`4`0`0`0

Puello lf`3`0`0`0

Cave cf`4`0`1`0

Rosario 2b`3`1`1`0

Diaz ss`3`1`0`0

Rodriguez c`4`2`3`1

Totals`32`5`9`5

Lehigh Valley`100`010`000`—`2

RailRiders`003`011`00x`—`5

2B — Williams (20), Lough (5), Featherston (17); Rosario (2), Gamel (13).

Lehigh Valley`IP`H`R`ER`BB`SO

Russell, L (2-5)`7`9`5`5`1`3

Garcia`1`0`0`0`1`0

RailRiders`IP`H`R`ER`BB`SO

Severino, W (5-0)`7`8`2`2`0`4

Webb`1`0`0`0`0`0

Goody, S (3)`1`0`0`0`0`0

RailRiders starting pitcher Luis Severino picked up the win to improve to 5-0 on the season.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_rr_ip5_faa.jpg.optimal.jpgRailRiders starting pitcher Luis Severino picked up the win to improve to 5-0 on the season. Fred Adams | For Times Leader

RailRiders center fielder Jake Cave was 1 for 4 in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre’s 5-2 win over Lehigh Valley on Monday night.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_rr_ip2_faa.jpg.optimal.jpgRailRiders center fielder Jake Cave was 1 for 4 in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre’s 5-2 win over Lehigh Valley on Monday night. Fred Adams | For Times Leader

Railriders left fielder Cesar Puello showcased his defensive prowess by running down a well-hit ball into foul territory the second inning for the Lehigh Valley out.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_rr_ip4_faa.jpg.optimal.jpgRailriders left fielder Cesar Puello showcased his defensive prowess by running down a well-hit ball into foul territory the second inning for the Lehigh Valley out. Fred Adams | For Times Leader

RailRiders mascot Champ was decked out for the 4th of July at the Game with the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs —————-Fred Adams|for Times Leader 7-4-16
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_rr_ip3_faa.jpg.optimal.jpgRailRiders mascot Champ was decked out for the 4th of July at the Game with the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs —————-Fred Adams|for Times Leader 7-4-16Fred Adams | For Times Leader

RailRiders shortstop Jonathan Diaz fielder leaps out of the way of Lehigh Valley baserunner Taylor Featherston, who was forced out at second base. Diaz completed the throw to first for a double play to J.P.Crawford in the third inning on Monday night at PNC Field.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_rr_ip1_faa.jpg.optimal.jpgRailRiders shortstop Jonathan Diaz fielder leaps out of the way of Lehigh Valley baserunner Taylor Featherston, who was forced out at second base. Diaz completed the throw to first for a double play to J.P.Crawford in the third inning on Monday night at PNC Field. Fred Adams | For Times Leader
Right fielder’s 3 RBI give SWB 5-2 win

By Paul Sokoloski

[email protected]

T.L. Express

The mastery of Luis Severino over International League hitters continued, as the hard-throwing righthander improved to 12-0 over two seasons pitching for the RailRiders during a 5-2 victory over Lehigh Valley. In a Fourth of July special, Severino worked around allowing eight hits over his seven innings, struck out four and continued his Triple-A unbeaten streak with a 5-0 record this season.

Next Up: Phil Coke goes for his fifth win of the season when the RailRiders conclude a quick two-game series with rival Lehigh Valley at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday at PNC Field.

Probable Pitchers: RailRiders LHP Phil Coke (4-2, 1.17) vs. Lehigh Valley RHP David Buchanan (4-5, 4.77).

Fun for Fans: It’s Belly Buster Wednesday presented by Bold Gold, where tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for kids and include all you can eat from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Kost Pavilion. It’s also Pay It Forward Wednesday, and a portion of tickets will be donated to the Greater Pittston Community Night charity.

On Deck: Buffalo visits PNC Field for a two-game series starting at 7:05 p.m. Wednesday.

Riding the Rails: Just before coming home, the RailRiders lost Nick Swisher, who was reinstated from the temporary inactive list and released from his minor league contract Sunday by the parent Yankees. Also, RailRiders starter Chad Green was promoted to New York on Saturday, and infielder Jose Rosario was promoted to the RailRiders from Trenton on Sunday.

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

LEHIGH VALLEY FIRST: Nick Williams slammed a double and Darin Ruf ripped an opposite field single to right field to drive him home. LEHIGH VALLEY 1-0

RAILRIDERS FOURTH: Jose Rosario doubled and Jonathan Diaz sacrificed him to third base. Eddy Rodriguez singled to score Rosario, then Ben Gamel followed with a double. Aaron Judge dropped a single into center field to bring home Rodriguez and Gamel. RAILRIDERS 3-1

LEHIGH VALLEY FIFTH: David Lough singled, moved to second base on a wild pitch and rode home when Taylor Featherston’s ground-rule double hopped over the center field wall. RAILRIDERS 3-2

RAILRIDERS FIFTH: Rodriguez started the inning with a single and Gamel drew a walk. Rodriguez moved to third base when Donovan Solano grounded into a double play and Judge drilled a deep single to left field to drive in Rodriguez. RAILRIDERS 4-2

RAILRIDERS SIXTH: Diaz reached base on a fielder’s choice and rolled to third when Rodriguez dropped his third hit of the day into short right field. Ben Gamel then delivered Diaz by guiding a single into center field. RAILRIDERS 5-2

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