Courtesy of RedWingsBaseball.com
Buck Britton had two hits, including a two-run single, helping the Red Wings to a 6-3 win over the Gwinnett Braves Monday night at Frontier Field.
After Red Wings starter Taylor Rogers worked around a first inning single, the Wings started their half of the first with back-to-back singles from Byron Buxton and James Beresford against Lucas Sims. The Wings had the bases loaded with one out, when Sims struck out Adam Brett Walker. But Britton made sure the Wings capitalized, dropping a two-RBI single into centerfield for a 2-0 Red Wings lead.
With two outs in the top of the fourth, Adonis Garcia and Ronnier Mustelier hit back to back singles for the Braves. Ryan Lavarnway drove in both baserunners by notching a double for Gwinnett, tying the game at 2-2.
In the bottom of the fourth, Britton delivered again for the Red Wings by kicking off the inning with a triple, his first of the season. John Ryan Murphy hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield to send Britton home, giving the Red Wings a 3-2 lead over the Braves heading into the fifth inning.
Ozzie Albies answered with a double to lead off the top of the fifth for Gwinnett, and Blake Lalli executed a sacrifice bunt during the following at-bat in order to advance Albies to third. Emilio Bonifacio hit a sacrifice fly in the next at-bat to bring in the tying run for the Braves. After the top of the fifth, the game was tied at 3-3.
Rogers wrapped up his second start of the season, exiting the game after pitching five innings with five hits, three runs, no walks, two strikeouts and 66 pitches, 46 for strikes.
In the top of the sixth, left handed pitcher Dan Runzler (2.1 IP, 3.86 ERA) took the mound for Rochester. After two walks and two fielder’s choice scenarios, the Braves had runners on first and second with two outs. The next batter for the Braves grounded out, enabling Runzler to get out of the jam.
The Red Wings had a strong defensive performance in the seventh inning. Wilfredo Tovar made a noteworthy stop at shortstop in order to get the out at first base. Runzler wrapped up the inning with a strong performance by striking out the next two batters.
In the bottom of the seventh, Gwinnett brought in Kanekoa Texeira to relieve Sims. The Red Wings quickly found themselves in prime scoring position early in the inning. Tovar walked with one out followed by a clutch hit by Stephen Wickens, which allowed Tovar to reach third base. Buxton notched a bunt in order to bring home the go-ahead run, putting Rochester into a one-out with runners on first and second position. The series of hits prompted Gwinnett to make a pitching change, bringing left-handed pitcher Sean Burnett into the game. During the next at-bat Beresford grounded out; however, Max Kepler belted out a two RBI single for the squad, giving the Red Wings a 6-3 lead.
Sims exited the game for Gwinnett after pitching six innings with four hits, three runs, two walks, five strikeouts and 108 pitches, 65 for strikes.
Left-handed pitcher Buddy Boshers entered the game in the top of the eighth inning for Rochester. He had a shaky start, giving up a single and a walk during the first two at-bats. Boshers managed to escape the inning without giving up a run after two fly-outs and a pop-out to first base.
The Braves brought in right handed reliever Joel de la Cruz to pitch in the bottom of the eighth inning. Adam Brett Walker led off for Rochester and secured his first hit of the game; unfortunately, the Red Wings quickly found themselves with two outs after a double play.
Boshers set down the side in order in the ninth inning, picking up his second save. Texeira (1-1) was tagged with the loss, with Runzler (1-1) getting the win in relief.
The Wings out-hit the Braves 8-6, as Buxton and Britton each had two hits. Buxton now has more than one hit in five of his last eight games, boosting his average to .290.
The win and three-game winning streak moved the team’s record to 16-16, the first time the Wings have been at the .500 mark since April 15.
NOTES: James Beresford’s first inning single extended his on-base streak to 12 games, the longest stretch by a Wings player this season…LHP Jason Wheeler was named the Batavia Downs Gaming and Racetrack Player of the Week for the week of May 2-8. Click here to read the story…. Twins Minor League Pitching Coordinator Eric Rasmussen, Minor League Infield and Baserunning Coordinator Sam Perlozzo, and Special Assistant to the General Manager Ron Gardenhire are in town and with the team during this homestand… LHP Ryan O’Rourke has been outrighted to the Red Wings roster.
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