Courtesy of RedWingsBaseball.com
Aaron Slegers fired six no-hit innings in his Triple-A debut before Buffalo recorded its first hit with two outs in the 8th inning as the Rochester Red Wings topped the Bisons 5-0 Tuesday afternoon at Coca-Cola Field.
The Bisons (4-1) recorded the first hit off Trevor Hildenberger, who had recorded five outs in relief of Slegers (1-0) before Jason Leblebijian’s single. The 7.2 of no-hit innings by the two Red Wings (4-1) pitchers is the longest a no-hitter has lasted by an opponent in the history of the ballpark, which opened in 1988.
Buffalo pushed a runner into scoring position with two outs in the 1st inning following the first Rochester error of the season but Slegers recorded a strikeout to end the frame. The Bisons didn’t threaten again until the 4th when Jake Elmore walked to open the inning and stole second base. Elmore advanced and stood on third base with one out following a fly ball to center. Slegers was able to get a pop up and a strikeout for the final two outs.
The teams traded zeroes as Buffalo starter Brett Oberholtzer fired 4.0 scoreless innings of his own while striking out seven. John Stilson (0-1) entered in relief and retired the first four men he faced before Kennys Vargas hit a home run that just cleared the right-field fence for his first homer of the season to give the Wings a 1-0 lead with one out in the 6th.
Slegers struck out a pair in the bottom half to end his outing. He issued three walks while striking out seven.
Rochester added to its lead in the 7th on back-to-back doubles by Niko Goodrum and J.B. Shuckmade it 2-0. Goodrum added a two-run double with two outs in the 8th to extend the Wings lead to 4-0.
Hildenberger retired the first two batters of the 8th before Leblebijian grounded a ball through the hole on the left side of the infield for the first Bisons hit. A bunt single followed before a groundout ended the inning
Tommy Field homered on the first pitch of the 9th to make it 5-0. Alan Busenitz worked a scoreless bottom half to end the game.
Goodrum finished 3-for-4 with two doubles, two RBI and a run scored. Ben Paulsen doubled and scored in a 2-for-4 day.
Express Mart Thruway Cup Series: The Red Wings are now 4-1 in the season-long competition for the Thruway Cup
Next up: LHP David Hurlbut makes his first start of the season as the Wings take on Buffalo in game three of the series on Wednesday at 1:05 p.m.
Next Home Game: Opening Day Friday, April 14 vs. Syracuse Chiefs (Nationals) at Frontier Field, 1:35 p.m.
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