Three home runs back a quality start by Anthony DeSclafani and helped the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders defeat the Syracuse Mets, 5-3, in the opening game of a six-game series at PNC Field in Moosic on Tuesday night.

DeSclafani (1-1) allowed one run on four hits in six innings with three walks and four strikeouts. Jayvien Sandridge and Eric Reyzelman each gave up one run in one inning of relief. Clayton Beeter struck out three of the four batters he faced in the ninth to earn his first save.

The RailRiders jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second against Syracuse starter Blade Tidwell (4-3). Brennen Davis walked with one out and scored on a two-out double by Jose Rojas.

Solo home runs in the bottom of the fourth by T.J. Rumfield with one out and Bryan De La Cruz with two outs extended the margin to 3-0.

Syracuse got its first run in the top of the fifth when Jon Singleton drew a bases-loaded walk. In the top of the seventh, the Mets cut the deficit to 3-2 on a RBI double by Gilberto Celestino.

However, in the bottom of the seventh, Valley View grad Max Kranick relieved Tidwell and gave up a one-out single to De La Cruz. Rojas followed with a two-run home run to push the RailRiders lead to 5-2.

Kranick was optioned to Syracuse by the New York Mets on June 3. He worked 0.2 innings Tuesday, allowing two runs on three hits with no walks and two strikeouts. He threw 25 pitches, 16 for strikes.

Singleton’s solo home run in the top of the eighth closed out the scoring.

Rojas, De La Cruz and Jesus Rodriguez each had two hits for the RailRiders (30-31).

Prior to the game, the New York Yankees made several roster moves affecting the RailRiders. Lefthanded pitcher Brandon Leibrandt, who was the RailRiders’ Opening Day starter, was released from his minor-league contract. Infielder Jake Gatewood was placed on the development list. Infielder C.J. Alexander, who was claimed off waivers and optioned by the Yankees in June 8, was added to the roster.

On Wednesday at 6:35 p.m., the series continues with righthander Allan Winans (5-0, 0.23 ERA) scheduled to start. The RailRiders are 7-0 this season when Winans starts. Syracuse will go with lefthander Brandon Waddell (1-3, 3.06).