Wings drop pair to Bisons

Game One:

Buffalo wasted no time stringing together a pair of runs in the first inning against Rochester starter Trevor May. After Roemon Fields worked a leadoff walk to open the ball game, Richard Urena belted a two-run home run to give Buffalo and early 2-0 lead. May, who made his third rehab start with Rochester and fourth overall, is returning from 2017 Tommy John surgery.

The Wings got a run back in the bottom of the first against Buffalo starter Jordan Romano. After Zack Granite and Nick Gordon worked a pair of walks to open the inning, Jake Cavesingled to left allowing for Granite to score from second to cut the deficit to 2-1.

May allowed another run in the second after Urena singled home Darnell Sweeney who walked earlier in the inning, giving the Bisons a 3-1 lead.

DJ Baxendale replaced May after Buffalo pushed three runs across in the third, increasing their lead to 6-1. May went 2.2 innings allowing seven runs on five hits while walking four and striking out five. He threw 77 pitches, 42 were for strikes. With two outs, Baxendale allowed an RBI single to give Buffalo a 7-1 lead. May was charged with the run.

The Red Wings scored in the fifth after Taylor Featherston led off the inning with a single. Featherston stole second base and was moved to third on a single from Granite, and later scored after Gordon grounded into a fielder’s choice, making the score 7-2.

Buffalo tacked on two additional runs in the sixth after Baxendale allowed three consecutive singles to open the inning, increasing the lead to 9-2.

Baxendale was replaced by Luke Bard in the sixth after throwing 2.2 innings. Bard surrendered consecutive RBI singles in the sixth to give Buffalo a 10-2 lead. Both runs were charged to Baxendale as he allowed three runs on five hits while striking out four. A wild pitch and an error allowed for Buffalo to take an 11-2 lead.

In his Triple-A debut, Romano went 5.0 innings allowing two runs on four hits while walking four and striking out three. He threw 96 pitches, 56 for strikes.

Bard finished the game, going 1.2 innings allowing one run on three hits while striking out three.

Winning pitcher: Romano (1-0)
Losing pitcher: May (0-3)
Save: None

Box Score: Click here for the box score and play-by-play narrative.

Game Two:

Buffalo plated a pair of runs in the top of the first inning after Wings starter Adalberto Mejia surrendered four consecutive base hits to open the game. After Roemon Fields and Richard Urena both singled to put a pair on, Rowdy Tellez doubled home both runners to give the Bisons a 2-0 lead. Mejia was making his first start (second appearance) since being placed on the disabled list on April 25 (blister on his throwing hand).

The Red Wings got a run back in the second after a two-out fielding error by Buffalo outfielder Tim Lopes allowed Nick Buss to reach base safely. Jermaine Curtis then doubled to left-centerfield off of Buffalo starter Deck McGuire, allowing Buss to score from first, bringing the score to 2-1.

Rochester threatened in the third but could not plate a run after Zack Granite and Nick Gordon reached scoring position with one out. Granite attempted to score after Chris Cartergrounded into a fielder’s choice, but Buffalo cut him down at the plate to end the threat.

Buffalo scored in the fifth after Lourdes Gurriel, Jr. singled home Urerna, giving the Bisons a 3-1 lead.

McGuire’s night ended after 4.0 innings as he allowed one run (unearned) on five hits including a walk. He threw 49 pitches, 30 for strikes.

Mejia was replaced by John Curtiss to begin the sixth inning. Mejia went 5.0 innings allowing three runs on eight hits while walking two and striking out four. He threw 79 pitches, 50 for strikes.

Curtiss struck out four of the seven batters he faced.

Granite had two of the Wings’ six hits.

Winning pitcher: Santos (2-0)
Losing pitcher: Mejia (0-1)
Save: Mayza (1)

Box Score: Click here for the box score and play-by-play narrative.

The teams wrap up the series and holiday weekend with a 1:05 pm game Monday featuring $5 tickets and 50-cent Zweigle’s hot dogs

Express Mart Thruway Cup Series:The Red Wings are now 6-8 in the season-long competition for theThruway Cup.