Buck’s Huge Night Propels Railroaders

CLEBURNE, Texas (May 22, 2021) – Grant Buck set a new career high with five RBI, plating the go-ahead runs with a two-out double in the eighth inning as the Cleburne Railroaders rallied for a 5-3 win over the Lincoln Saltdogs on Saturday night at The Depot at Cleburne Station.

Lincoln (2-2) scored the game’s first runs on a pair of bases-loaded walks in the second inning against Railroaders starter Tristan Roberts, then added one more in the fourth on a solo home run from Edgar Corcino for a 3-0 lead. Roberts ended with a no-decision in his professional debut, striking out two over four innings while allowing two hits and three runs.

The Railroaders (3-2) rallied immediately in the bottom of the fourth, notching three consecutive singles to start the fourth before Buck cleared the bases with a three-run double to left that tied the game 3-3.

The score remained tied into the eighth thanks to some brilliant work from the Railroaders bullpen, which got five scoreless innings from Kyle Chavez, Mason Melotakis, Garrett Alexander and Tyler Wilson. Alexander (1-1) had to navigate a difficult situation in the eighth, pitching around runners at second and third with one out thanks to a tremendous defensive play from Ozzie Martinez and a big strikeout to end the frame.

Buck then put the Railroaders in front in the eighth, slamming a 2-1 pitch to the gap in left-center field to score Zach Nehrir and Hunter Clanin, who both reached with two outs.

Wilson picked up his second save by retiring all three that he faced in the ninth.

The Railroaders and Saltdogs conclude the series Sunday night at 6:00 PM. Lincoln starts right-hander Carson Lance (0-0, 0.00), while the Railroaders have not yet announced their starter.

For information on partnerships, season tickets, group outings, and party packages, call the Railroaders main office at (817) 945-8705, or visit the Railroaders official website at www.railroaderbaseball.com.