Nehrir Matches League Record with Six Hits as Cleburne Sweeps

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (June 10, 2021) – Zach Nehrir set a new franchise record and matched an American Association record with six hits as the Cleburne Railroaders completed the sweep of the Sioux Falls Canaries with an 8-3 win on Thursday night at Sioux Falls Stadium.

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Nehrir singled in the first and third, doubled in the fourth, and then notched three more singles in the sixth, eighth, and ninth innings. He surpassed the five-hit performances from Mitch Glasser, Audie Afenir, Angel Reyes and Osvaldo Martinez earlier this season. Nehrir ended the night with a .397 batting average, highest in the American Association.

Cleburne (11-10) raced out to a 4-0, scoring in three consecutive innings from the second through the fourth innings. Colton Pogue kicked things off with a run-scoring single in the second, then Ramon Hernandez beat out a fielder’s choice grounder to plate another run in the second. An RBI double from Nehrir and a passed ball in the fourth brought home two more, stretching the lead to 4-0.

Sioux Falls (11-10) got on the board in the fifth on a bases-loaded walk to Angelo Altavilla, but Austin Fairchild (1-2) pitched around further trouble to keep the advantage at 4-1. Fairchild picked up his first win of the year with six strong innings, allowing three runs on six hits.

A four-run sixth inning created separation for the Railroaders. Alay Lago ripped an RBI single, then Nehrir and Hernandez followed with run-scoring singles of their own. Grant Buck capped the scoring with an RBI groundout that pushed the Cleburne edge to 8-1.

The Canaries pulled two runs back in the sixth on a two-run single from Shamoy Christopher, but the Cleburne bullpen slammed the door from there. Alex Fishberg, Kyle Chavez and Bryan Saucedo each worked a scoreless inning in relief to secure the win, with Saucedo picking up back-to-back strikeouts to end the game. 

With the victory, the Railroaders move into a tie for second place in the American Association South Division.

The Railroaders now head to Fargo to open a three-game series with the RedHawks. Newcomer Michael Krauza (0-0, 0.00) makes his first start for Cleburne, while Fargo-Moorhead counters with fellow right-hander Gage Hinsz (1-2, 7.71). First pitch of Friday’s series opener is scheduled for 7:02 PM.

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.

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