ROCHESTER, N.Y. – It’s a rare occasion when a home run by an opposing player gets cheers at Innovative Field. It is an even rarer occasion when it happens as part of a 9-6 Red Wings loss. And yet, as Brighton graduate Ernie Clement rounded the bases after a two-run home run off a first-pitch fastball from Jose Mujica on Sunday, there were plenty of claps and whistles for the Buffalo Bisons shortstop.
“I think I had a really big smile on my face,” he said post. “It was really cool. I pointed to a few of my buddies in the stands who I played baseball with growing up, so that was pretty cool.”
Clement, a utility man who has played in 109 games in Major League Baseball, went 2-for-3 at the plate with three RBI, including the two-run home run in the sixth. He also walked and stole a bag. He also received a warm ovation during every at-bat, although he joked the crowd may have had other reasons.
“I wasn’t sure if they were cheering for me or because I was the Taco Bell K-Man,” said Clement. “I was hoping they were cheering for me, but I was like, ‘maybe I’ll strike out right here and give them some tacos.’ They’d been so nice to me all week!”
Much to the disappointment of anyone hoping for a free taco, Clement didn’t strike out on the day.
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The home run was the first that Clement had ever hit at what is now called Innovative Field, despite some experience during high school. Although, he jokingly noted, “I don’t really hit any home runs!”
“I finally snuck one out of here,” he said, smiling.
As for the Red Wings, the loss ended their four-game win streak, although they still took four of the six games in the series. Red Wings manager Matt LeCroy credits some of the turnaround on the return of infielder Jake Alu early in the lead.
“He’s put a bit of a spark into our lineup, our guys have started having better team at-bats, situational hitting has been really good,” he said. “Our defense has had some lapses, but overall we’ve been pretty solid.”
“To face a team like Buffalo and win a series is a step in the right direction.”
Like in every other game of the series, the Red Wings found themselves behind early. With the bases loaded and one out in the top of the second, Clement hit into what looked like a possible 6-4-3 double play. The throw to first from second baseman Darren Baker went awry, however, allowing two runs to score to give Buffalo the 2-0 lead. Clement earned the first of his 3 RBI on the play.
Rochester cut into the lead in the bottom of the third with a two-out rally, as designated hitter Matt Adams hit an infield single to score a run, just beating out a throw to first for the RBI to make it 2-1.
Buffalo responded in the top of the fourth with a two-out rally of its own, as two straight singles were followed by a double from Otto Lopez to score two to increase the lead to 4-1. Third baseman Addison Barger hit a double to right to bring home Lopez to make the score 5-1. Rochester scored a run in the bottom of the inning when left fielder Franklin Barreto advanced home on a double play to narrow the lead to 5-2.
Then, the Bisons seemingly put the game away, with Clement hitting his two-run shot 380 feet to left in the sixth to extend their lead to 7-2. The Bisons added two more in the seventh to up the score to 9-2.
Rochester staged a four-run seventh-inning rally, culminating in a two-run home run by Barreto, but they couldn’t narrow the gap anymore and fell 9-6.
The Red Wings hit the road for a six-game series at Norfolk, beginning Tuesday at 6:35 p.m. Right-hander Tommy Romero is expected to start the first game.
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