The RailRiders pulled off a walk-off win over the IronPigs in one of the strangest endings of the season. Tied 5-5 in the bottom of the 10th at PNC Field, the RailRiders loaded the bases after a series of walks and close calls that had the crowd and players visibly frustrated with the umpire’s strike zone. The tension was high but the energy stayed flat, with little offense until the final play.
With two runners on and Lamar at the plate, he worked the count before swinging at what turned out to be a game-ending strike. It wasn’t obvious at first. The pitch got past the catcher, skipped away, and allowed the runner to score from third. The swing was a miss, no foul tip, just a passed ball on strike three. While the RailRiders celebrated, most people in the park weren’t even sure how the game ended. Players wandered off the field in confusion, fans squinted at the field, and one guy in a maroon shirt stayed put until someone explained what just happened.
It was officially a win, but not the kind anyone will remember for excitement. A walk-off on a strikeout and passed ball left the IronPigs stunned and the RailRiders advancing in silence.