The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders have shown a strong come-from-behind attitude, winning seven of their first 13 games after trailing at some point. Their gritty performances include multiple victories in extra innings and overcoming significant deficits.
Key points
RailRiders have a come-from-behind attitude this season
Seven of their 13 wins involved trailing at some point
They erased a six-run deficit in their home opener
Ernesto MartĂnez Jr. hit the game-winning run against Rochester
RailRiders are 3-0 in extra innings
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRidersNew York Yankees
SARASOTA, FL - FEBRUARY 20: Ernesto Martinez Jr. (91) of the New York Yankees bats during a spring training game against the Baltimore Orioles on February 20, 2026 at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
SARASOTA, FL - FEBRUARY 20: Ernesto Martinez Jr. (91) of the New York Yankees bats during a spring training game against the Baltimore Orioles on February 20, 2026 at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
This yearâs Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders are a team that keeps battling until the final out, and it is quickly becoming their M.O. Seven of their 13 wins through the first 24 games have occurred when the club was trailing at some point in the contest.
There was April 4th in Rochester, when seventh-inning solo shots by Seth Brown and Paul DeJong overcame a one-run deficit for a 4-3 victory. The next day, the RailRiders trailed after one inning, 2-1, but scored in the next four innings and rolled to a 16-5 win.
In the home opener on April 8th against Durham, the RailRiders erased a six-run deficit in their final three at-bats to pull out a 7-6 triumph. The next day, they trailed Durham by one run after five innings, took the lead, watched the Bulls tie it in the top of the ninth, but won it in the bottom of the ninth on an Ali SĂĄnchez home run, 5-4. Two days after that, in the nightcap of a doubleheader, they were down to the Bulls, 2-0, but used a six-run fourth inning to storm back for a 9-5 win.
âWith these guys, I always know that when games are close, they grind really well,â said manager Shelley Duncan.
âI like to say theyâre gritty. Theyâre grinders, and when itâs close at the end of a ball game, itâs hard to beat grinders.â
Also, the RailRiders are 3-0 in extra innings, including consecutive wins in the current home series with the Rochester Red Wings at PNC Field.
First, on Thursday, the RailRiders took a 4-2 lead into the top of the ninth, only to have Rochester score three runs on five consecutive hits to grab a 5-4 lead. But the RailRiders tied it in the bottom of the ninth on singles by and , followed by an RBI groundout from Spencer Jones. Then in the bottom of the 11th, won it with a RBI single to score the automatic runner Ornelas, 6-5.
On Friday, Red Wings starting pitcher had the RailRiders stymied. All they could manage against the right-hander through the first seven innings were a pair of Yanquiel FernĂĄndez singles as he walked none and struck out nine. Rochester built a 2-0 lead on two solo home runs, but the bullpen held it there.
âMy main thought was keep it close,â Duncan said. âDown two, if we could just scrap one run across the board to get within one. Two runs is a lot harder than one.â
In the bottom of the eighth, with Lara out of the game, the RailRiders rallied. Brown drew a leadoff walk. came on as a pinch-runner and immediately stole second. Ernesto MartĂnez Jr. then sent a 3-2 pitch out to right field for a game-tying home run.
âI was manifesting it. I was like, Iâm hitting a home run right now. Itâs going out,â MartĂnez said. âI was late on a couple of pitches and I was like, âOK, if Iâm early Iâm going to hit one out.
âWe always believe and always have faith in our pitchers. They work really hard and are dedicated to their craft. If they have a bad inning, you know theyâre going to come back. We trust our guys.â
Neither team scored in the ninth inning and the game headed to extra innings. Rochester scored a run in the top of the 10th and had runners at the corners with one out. But Harrison Cohen came on and struck out the next two Red Wings to keep it a 3-2 game.
With at second base as the automatic runner in the bottom of the 10th, Ellis laid down a sacrifice bunt and reached safely when Rochesterâs first baseman, Abimelec Orti,z was called for obstruction as Cabrera moved to third. Again, Ellis broke for second on a stolen-base attempt and when the pitch was wild, Cabrera scored the tying run and Ellis kept going and raced to third.
Martinez followed by lining a 2-2 pitch into right field to score Ellis with the game-winning run.
âErnesto had two strikes early, took a deep breath and had an unbelievable at-bat,â Duncan said. âIt was awesome seeing these guys stay in the game even though it looked very bleak in the beginning. You have to credit the pitching for keeping us close.â
Wins like these, MartĂnez said, show the character the RailRiders have and can give them some momentum to get on a roll.
âWeâve been a little bit up and down for the start of the season,â said MartĂnez. âWe have expectations of being the best team in Triple-A, so for us it means a lot. Our spirit is not gone. Weâre still going to try to win the first half.â
Yankees shortstop continued his rehab stint with the RailRiders in Fridayâs game and played nine innings for the first time. Batting leadoff, he went 0-for-4 with a flyout, two strikeouts, and a groundout. Defensively, he handled three chances and had two assists.
âThat was the best Iâve seen him at short,â Duncan said. âHe looked really good.â
The plan is for Volpe to again play nine innings Saturday and then likely serve as DH in Sundayâs series finale. What comes after that? Well, Yankees manager Aaron Boone a return in time for New Yorkâs series against the Rangers, though he did make those remarks before left Friday nightâs game in early. Unless the DHâs calf strain forces an IL stint that accelerates the timeline, the most logical outcome would be Volpe remaining with Scranton since they have another home series coming up this week against Buffalo, beginning Tuesday. Stay tuned.
Q&A
How many games have the RailRiders won after trailing this season?
The RailRiders have won seven of their first 13 games after trailing at some point during those contests.
What notable comeback did the RailRiders achieve in their home opener?
In their home opener, the RailRiders erased a six-run deficit in their final three at-bats to win 7-6 against Durham.
Who hit the game-winning home run for the RailRiders against Rochester?
Ernesto MartĂnez Jr. hit the game-winning single in the bottom of the 10th inning against Rochester.
What is the RailRiders' record in extra innings this season?
The RailRiders are currently 3-0 in extra innings this season.
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