By CHUCKIE MAGGIO
Over a decade had passed since Derek Dietrich’s last grand slam. Then a second-year professional playing for the Class A Bowling Green Hot Rods, the Tampa Bay Rays prospect hit J.D. Reichenbach’s 0-2 pitch over the right field fence to pull Bowling Green ahead 8-7 over Lake County on May 5, 2011.
Reichenbach retired from professional baseball in 2013. The 32-year-old Dietrich has now collected over 500 minor league hits, including the slam that powered the Rochester Red Wings in an 8-4 victory over the Lehigh Valley IronPigs on Tuesday night.
“I think over the last few games he’s played, he’s actually had better at bats,” LeCroy remarked of Dietrich. “He’s trying to find that good slot that he normally put his hands at when he was really good in the big leagues. He kind of got away from that earlier on, but his (batting practice)’s been a lot better and in games he’s put on some better swings than he had when he first got here. Hopefully he’ll get hot; we know what he’s capable of when he does.”
Rochester knew that, starting with major league rehabber Austin Voth, Tuesday was slated to be a bullpen game. Lehigh Valley, conversely, did not plan for Mark Appel to pitch just one inning.
Appel, the Houston Astros’ first overall pick in the 2013 Major League Baseball Draft who has not yet made the majors and walked away from baseball in 2017 before returning this season, allowed five runs on three hits and two walks in a 34-pitch first inning. The 30-year-old allowed the first two Red Wings to hit safely, Donovan Casey on a leadoff double in Casey’s Triple-A debut and Keibert Ruiz on a sharply-hit RBI single. Appel got Jake Noll to fly out and set down Daniel Palka on a called third strike before walking Brandon Snyder and Nick Banks to load the bases for Dietrich’s home run.
Jake Noll’s fielding error at second base sparked fourth inning difficulty for Bryan Bonnell and the Red Wings. Noll misplayed Rafael Marchan’s ground ball, the would-be second out, allowing Marchan to reach and Mickey Moniak to advance from first to third. Darick Hall, the next batter, slugged a three-run home run over the center field wall to cut Lehigh Valley’s deficit to 5-3.
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Bonnell, visibly frustrated by the turn of events, lost the strike zone, walking Arquimedes Gamboa and pinch-hitter Ruben Tejada to end his appearance. Other than surrendering a run in the seventh, that jam signified the last of Rochester’s frustration.
Alberto Baldonado showcased his electric stuff after relieving Bonnell, striking out Freddy Galvis and Nick Maton to strand Gamboa and Tejada before striking out Jorge Bonifacio and Matt Vierling to bookend a 1-2-3 fifth. Baldonado faced just five batters yet led all pitchers in strikeouts.
“He keeps doing the job, man,” LeCroy commented. “He keeps coming in in big spots, putting people away. I thought that was a big part of the game when he settled down. I’m really, really pleased with how he’s progressed; I know Mike (Tejera, Rochester’s pitching coach) has done a really good job with him. He’s put himself in a good position for something in September, so hopefully he’ll continue to throw the ball well, see what happens.”
Baldonado, Kyle McGowin, Sam Clay and Aaron Barrett pitched clean innings, continuing Rochester’s sterling bullpen performances of late. Jake Noll lifted some of the late-inning pressure by providing an insurance double in the eighth that increased the lead to 8-4.
Runs were accessible due in large part to the Red Wings’ patience. Palka, with whom pitchers continue to exercise extreme caution, walked four times. Snyder earned two base-on-balls. The Wings (35-51) walked 10 times total and converted on four occasions with runners in scoring position.
“I think Palka’s at that point, he’s probably gonna be that guy that they’ll probably stay away for the most part, not let him beat them,” LeCroy acknowledged. “It’ll be up to some of those guys behind (Palka) to pick it up and to get big hits so they allow him to get some more pitches.”
“Hopefully we can get on a roll, man. I’d like to see the team roll off a few wins here and get going,” LeCroy assessed. “Get going and finish strong down the stretch.”
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