MOOSIC, PA (August 18, 2026) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders fell to the Charlotte Knights 9-8 Tuesday night at PNC Field. Down seven runs heading into the eighth, Charlotte rallied and completed the comeback in the 10th to down the RailRiders.
Charlotte struck first in the top of the second. Edgar Quero doubled to lead off and scored on a Caden Connor RBI single for a 1-0 edge.
The RailRiders answered in the home half of the frame against Knights starter Shane Smith. J.C. Escarra was hit by a pitch, advanced to third after Max Schuemann and Marco Luciano walked, and scored on a Yanquiel Fernández sacrifice fly to level the game at one. Anthony Volpe worked a two-out, bases-loaded walk to stake a 2-1 advantage.
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre extended the lead in the bottom of the third. After Schuemann walked for the second consecutive frame, Oswald Cabrera lifted his 15th homer of the season. It was a two-run, line drive shot over the right-field wall for a three-run cushion.
Rodríguez worked around consecutive singles in the fourth and a two-out base hit in the fifth to hold Charlotte to one run over five.
In the bottom of the fifth, the RailRiders launched their second two-run bomb of the night and plated four runs to break the game open. Escarra singled and reached third on a fielder’s choice before Marco Luciano took a four-seam fastball and blasted it 407 feet to right-center field to give SWB a 6-1 lead. Fernández then doubled, and Ernesto Martínez Jr. walked for Volpe, who doubled both runners home to stretch the advantage to seven.
Down seven runs in the eighth, the Knights chipped into the lead with a two-run homer from Junior Perez and a bases-loaded walk to cut the deficit to four. In the ninth, a three-run double off the bat of Mario Camilletti brought the Knights to within one, and Andy Weber ripped a single off the glove of Martínez Jr. to tie the game at eight.
In the tenth, the Knights took their second lead of the game on a Ryan Galanie sacrifice fly, 9-8.
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre advanced the tying run to third with one out in the tenth, but could not plate the runner to extend the game.
Rodríguez pitched 5.0 innings, allowing one run on six hits and issuing no walks while striking out five. RailRiders pitcher Luis Gil relieved Rodríguez in the sixth, allowing a pair of walks but striking out two over two scoreless frames. Chris Kean (1-1) surrendered three runs on three hits in the loss. Jaden Woods (2-0) was credited with the win, and Garrett Schoenle (S, 3) recorded the save.
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre continues its series against Charlotte Wednesday night at PNC Field. Yankees #15 Prospect, left-hander Xavier Rivas (0-1), will face MLB Rehabber Drew Thorpe. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM. Tickets and promotional details are available at www.swbrailriders.com.
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders Record: 25-18, 62-55