Courtesy of RedWingsBaseball.com
By NICK SCIARRATTA AND CHUCKIE MAGGIO
Reynaldo Rodriguez hit a three-run homer, helping the Red Wings to a 6-3 win over the Buffalo Bisons Thursday night at Frontier Field.
Buffalo struck for the first three runs of the game off Jason Wheeler in the top of the second. Domonic Brown’s RBI single drove in Jesus Montero and Andy Burns hit a two-run double to score Chris Colabello and Brown.
The Wings got a run back in the bottom half of the inning when Mitch Garver hit an RBI single off Jason Berken to score Adam Brett Walker and cut the deficit to 3-1. It was Garver’s third RBI since joining Rochester on August 9.
After Wilfredo Tovar and James Beresford worked walks, Rodriguez hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the third, his fourth longball as a Red Wing, to give the team a 4-3 lead.
Berken was taken out of the game with two outs in the sixth, relieved by Chad Girodo. Berken allowed five runs, four of them earned, on four hits. He recorded four strikeouts and three walks, throwing 89 pitches and 56 for strikes.
Logan Schafer, the first batter Girodo faced, hit an RBI single that scored Rodriguez and extended the lead to 5-3. John Ryan Murphy walked with the bases loaded, scoring Schafer and making it a 6-3 advantage.
Wheeler was relieved by D.J. Baxendale in the seventh inning. Wheeler allowed three runs, all earned, on five hits and struck out six batters in six innings of work. He threw 100 pitches, 69 for strikes. Wheeler set down the last 12 batters he faced.
Baxendale worked two scoreless innings, allowing a single and striking out two. Alex Wimmers pitched the ninth inning, recording his 10th save.
The Wings and Bisons play again Friday night at 7:05 p.m., with 1980 Miracle on Ice USA hockey members appearing and post-game fireworks.
Winning Pitcher: Wheeler (10-4)
Losing Pitcher: Berken (0-1)
Save: Wimmers (10)
Box Score: click here
NOTES: Twins interim GM Rob Antony is in town for the two-game series…RHP Alan Busenitz was transferred from Double-A Chattanooga to the Red Wings, and RHP Omar Bencomo was sent to the Lookouts…Rey Rodriguez has now reached base in 16 straight games.
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