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MOOSIC — The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders bullpen was impressive during its four-game series against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs earlier in the week.
It was a different story, however, facing the Buffalo Bisons Friday and Saturday.
That 1.27 ERA in 14.2 innings against the IronPigs is long gone as the RailRiders relievers blew a one-run lead Friday night and saw a three-run deficit inflate once RailRiders starter Luis Cessa exited the game after 5.2 innings Saturday.
The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre bullpen allowed seven runs Saturday as the Bisons routed the RailRiders, 10-2.
“In order for us to be successful, and the difference with Lehigh Valley, is because we had the lead and that kept the tempo going, kept the momentum on our side,” Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders manager Al Pedrique said. “The execution, whether you’re on the mound, you’re at the plate, you’re playing defense, that’s what we need on a consistent basis in order to have a good series like we just did against Lehigh Valley.”
Home runs and walks killed the RailRiders.
Of the eight hits, four were home runs, including a pair of three-run shots. Four home runs on top of seven walks proved to be too much.
Buffalo’s four home runs were two short of the franchise record for most by an opponent.
Bisons third baseman Jason Leblebijian’s eighth-inning three-run homer off of Giovanny Gallegos broke the game open. The RailRiders were facing a two run deficit at the time of the at-bat, but Leblebijian’s bomb into the left-field concourse made it 7-1.
RailRiders closer Ernesto Frieri, who was pitching in a non-save situation, also gave up a three-run home run. This time it was Bisons right fielder Dwight Smith Jr., who sent his shot to the bleachers in right field.
“The ball was carrying today,” Pedrique said. “The wind was blowing out and we made some mistakes up in the zone. Any time you make a mistake up in the zone, you’re always asking for trouble.”
While RailRiders starter Luis Cessa will take the loss, he registered his second straight solid outing of the season.
The righty went 5.2 innings while allowing three runs — only two were earned — on just three hits and three walks, while striking out five Bisons. One of Cessa’s three runs to cross the plate was a fourth-inning solo shot off the bat of Bisons catcher Mike Ohlman.
The RailRiders were facing a 3-0 deficit when Cessa left the game in the top of the sixth inning.
“I try every start to go after everybody. I battle every start,” Cessa said. “Today, I made a couple bad pitches. In the last inning, I had a couple walks. So it’s part of the game.
“Sometimes the batters get the better at-bat.”
Rob Refsnyder was the offensive highlight for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The second baseman was 2-for-4 with two doubles and scored the RailRiders’ only runs.
Enns to the DL
Friday night’s starter, Dietrich Enns, will have to wait a little longer for his next trip to the mound.
The lefty felt some discomfort in his shoulder during Friday’s start and left the game after the fifth inning, even though he was only at 72 pitches.
Enns went to the doctors Saturday, and his MRI came back negative. He was diagnosed with a strained shoulder.
It will be three or four weeks until he picks up a baseball again, according to Pedrique, before rehab in Tampa. The 6-foot-1 pitcher was placed on the seven-day disabled list Saturday afternoon.
“They’re going to give it plenty of time to rest,” Pedrique said. “He’s going to be reevaluated again, and we’ll go from there.”
Pedrique said he wasn’t sure if Caleb Smith, who was a spot starter on Thursday, will take over Enns’ spot in the rotation. Smith is still with the team.
Up next
Chad Green takes the mound Sunday in the series finale. The righty will be facing Bisons lefty Brett Oberholtzer as the RailRiders look to avoid the sweep.
Buffalo 10, RailRiders 2
Buffalo`AB`R`H`BI
Lopes 2b`4`1`0`0
Elmore lf`5`0`1`0
Tellez 1b`4`2`1`0
Ohlman c`4`2`1`1
Smith Jr. rf`3`3`1`3
Leblebijian 3b`5`0`0`0
Parmley cf`5`0`0`0
Monsalve dh`4`1`2`2
Opitz ss`4`0`0`0
Totals`36`10`8`10
RailRiders`AB`R`H`BI
Wade ss`4`0`0`0
Frazier lf`3`0`1`0
Fowler cf`4`0`0`0
Refsnyder 2b`4`2`2`0
Solano 3b`4`0`1`1
Williams rf`3`0`0`1
Tejada dh`3`0`0`0
Choi 1b`3`0`1`0
Rodriguez c`3`0`0`0
Totals`31`2`5`2
E: Tellez (3, fielding), Lopes (1, throw), Refsnyder (1, throw). LOB: Bisons 6, RailRiders 5. 2B: Frazier (4), Refsnyder 2 (2), Solano (1). HR: Ohlman (1), Monsalve (1), Leblebijian (3), Smith (1) SF: Williams.
Buffalo`IP`H`R`ER`BB`SO
House (W, 2-0)`6.2`3`1`1`2`7
Beliveau (H, 1)`1.1`0`0`0`0`1
Campos`1.0`2`1`1`0`1
RailRiders`IP`H`R`ER`BB`SO
Cessa`5.2`3`3`2`3`5
Gurka`1.1`2`1`1`0`2
Gallegos`0.1`1`3`3`2`1
Jones`0.2`0`0`0`0`1
Frieri`1.0`2`3`3`2`1
WP: Gallegos.
Umpires: Adam Beck, HP; Ryan Additon, 1B; Jeremie Rehak, 3B.
T: 2:50. Att: 3,140.