By CHUCKIE MAGGIO
Of all the Triple-A pitching debuts made in a Red Wings uniform over the last few decades, Francisco Liriano provided the standard with a six-inning, one-hit effort on June 20, 2005. Liriano struck out eight Louisville batsmen, retiring 11 in a row at one point.
Liriano remains the standard, as top Washington Nationals pitching prospect Cade Cavalli experienced a rocky introduction to the next level on Saturday night. The 2020 first round pick and Oklahoma University product allowed five runs in the third inning, all coming with two outs, to take the loss in Syracuse. The Red Wings fell 5-3.
Cavalli breezed through the first two innings, holding the Mets to a lone Wilfredo Tovar single, and recorded the first two outs of the third in just seven pitches. Then Mets leadoff hitter Mark Payton singled on a 3-0 pitch, followed by Cavalli throwing a wild pitch and walking Khalil Lee on five pitches.
Red Wings pitching coach Michael Tejera attempted to calm Cavalli with a mound visit, but Cavalli answered by hitting Luis Guillorme to load the bases. Albert Almora Jr., Travis Blankenhorn and Wilfredo Tovar each hit safely to drive in runs and suddenly, Rochester faced a 5-0 deficit.
Red Wings manager Matt LeCroy offered a fist pound and word of encouragement after Cavalli set Orlando Calixte down swinging to mercifully complete the inning, but Cavalli’s day was done. The five earned runs matched the most the 23-year-old has allowed in a professional start; he also allowed five for Double-A Harrisburg on July 18.
Jake Noll drove in two runs, raising his season total to 55, and the Red Wings outhit the Mets 7-6 after another sensational five-inning bullpen effort. But Rochester left the bases loaded in the sixth inning, stranded two more baserunners in the seventh and failed to hit safely over the final two innings.
The 43-55 Wings complete the road trip with a Sunday matinee scheduled for 1:05.
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