BY DAN GLICKMAN
The Rochester Red Wings play their first home series since the All-Star Break this week as they host the two-time-defending International League champion Durham Bulls starting Tuesday.
Rochester comes into the six-game set after dropping two of three to the Syracuse Mets, winning on Friday before falling in extras on Saturday and taking an 8-2 loss in the series finale on Sunday. The Red Wings fell behind early on Sunday, as Syracuse scored six runs in the first inning and extended the lead to 8-0 on a Jaylin Davis home run in the third. A Syracuse error and an RBI single from catcher Drew Milas narrowed the lead to 8-2 in the fourth inning, but the Red Wings could not make up any more ground.
The Red Wings are now 7-8 in the second half and 41-47 overall, 3.5 games back of the Worcester Red Sox for the second-half title. Durham is 8-7 on the half and 48-42 overall, 2.5 games back of Worcester.
VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM JOE TERRITO.
The Durham Bulls, the top affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays, have been a power in the International League since being raised to AAA in 1998, winning eight championships, including the last two. As a result, the Bulls are tied for third among active IL teams in league pennants, despite having been in the league for far less time than the Red Wings, who have claimed 19 titles.
Oddly enough, however, Durham arguably has Rochester to thank for its rise to the IL. The 1988 film classic, Bull Durham, was written by 1970-71 Red Wing Ron Shelton, who based the film on his experiences in the Orioles system and stories he heard from other Minor League veterans, such as his manager, Joe Altobelli. The attention that the movie brought to the real Durham Bulls spurred the building of a new stadium and increased attendance, leading the Bulls to be elevated to the IL when baseball expanded in 1998. Shelton was elected to the Red Wings Hall of Fame in 2017.
This year, the Bulls are led by one of the best pitching staffs in the league. Tied for second in the league in opponent batting average (.250) while sitting third in WHIP (1.44) and fifth in team ERA (4.83), the Bulls are led in the rotation by 25-year-old Evan McKendry. Used as a reliever early in the season before moving into a starter role in late April, the righty’s 7-2 record is tied for the league lead in victories, and his WHIP (1.16) and opponent batting average (.225) are both second. His 3.89 ERA and 87 strikeouts are third in the IL. McKendry is joined in the rotation by lefty Jacob Lopez, who has a 1.16 ERA in his 10 starts, which would lead the league if Lopez had pitched enough innings to qualify.
In the bullpen, the Bulls feature right-hander Trevor Brigden, who is fourth among relievers in the IL with 57 strikeouts. Durham’s bullpen also has Erasmo Ramirez, who Red Wings fans may remember from a brief stint in Rochester in 2022.
The Bulls’ offense is prospect-heavy, featuring three of Tampa’s top 10 prospects, according to MLB.com, and five of their top 20. The leading hitter for Durham can’t be found on the prospect list: it’s reigning International League MVP Jonathan Aranda. The Mexican second baseman is second in the league in on-base percentage with a mark of .445 and is fourth in OPS (1.044) and fifth in batting average (.342).
The other three infielders for Durham are among the top 10 prospects in the Tampa organization. Australian righty Curtis Mead, the Rays’ No. 3 prospect, plays second and third and is hitting .297 and slugging .477 in 32 games at AAA this season. At first base, Tampa No. 4 prospect Kyle Manzardo was selected for this year’s Futures Game roster, although he is currently on the injured list. Finally, No. 6 prospect Osleivis Basabe is hitting .298, behind only Aranda among qualifying Durham hitters. The shortstop is also second on the team in hits, with 88.
Rochester will have some help this week through outfielder Derek Hill. The outfielder, sent down recently by Washington, was one of the team’s best players in the first half. In 50 games this season for Rochester, the righty is hitting .332 with a .942 OPS. His 12 stolen bases are the team’s third-best for the season.
The starting pitchers for Durham this week are still to be determined, but Rochester expects Wily Peralta (3-6, 6.62) to start Tuesday. Jackson Rutledge (1-0, 4.50) and Jose Urena (0-2, 6.49) are set for Thursday and Friday, respectively.
The series begins on Tuesday at 6:45 p.m.
Leave a Reply