Red Wings look to bounce back against Worcester

BY DAN GLICKMAN

After a rough series in Buffalo, the Rochester Red Wings will need a great series at home against the Worcester Red Sox to keep any playoff hopes alive.

The Red Wings went 1-4 against the Buffalo Bisons, with another game cancelled due to rain. The losses knocked the Wings down to 20-24 in the second half, eight games behind the league leaders. The Red Wings would need to have the best record in the International League in the second half to earn a playoff spot. While not impossible, any such comeback in the standings would need to begin with wins against the Worcester Red Sox- 27-17 and a game back of league-leading Lehigh Valley.

Rochester leads Worcester in this year’s season series, 10-8, having won series against the Red Sox in May and July but dropping a series in June.

Worcester’s roster coming to Rochester is similar to that the Red Wings faced in Worcester back in July. They continue to be led by first baseman Bobby Dalbec, who is second in the IL in home runs (30), third in slugging (.588), and fourth in OPS (.972). On the basepaths, shortstop David Lewis is tied for the league lead in stolen bases with 48. Also remaining in the Red Sox lineup is Ceddanne Rafaela, now the third-rated prospect in the Boston organization in MLB.com’s rankings. Rafaela has hit .314 with 13 home runs since coming to Worcester from AA in late June. Red Wings pitchers will also have to deal with outfielder Wilyer Abreu, who has 22 home runs this season. However, Rochester won’t need to worry about former Wing Daniel Palka; the slugger was released in late July.

On the mound, Worcester continues to be led by Kyle Barraclough, who is tied for third in the league with eight wins. His 2.40 ERA since joining the Red Sox organization in June would be the lowest in the league if he had enough innings to qualify, as would his 0.99 WHIP and .170 opponent batting average. In the bullpen, reliever Andrew Politi is third in the league in saves, with 11.

On the Red Wings side, the team lost the services of infielder Carter Kieboom this past weekend when he was called up to Washington. Despite injuries, Kieboom had hit five home runs and drove in 23 RBI in 34 games this season for the Wings. Cory Abbott, who pitched nine games for the Red Wings before being called up by Washington in June, was sent down to Rochester.

Rochester’s pitching rotation for the series with Worcester is still being determined, but Worcester has announced that Brandon Walter (1-5, 5.26 ERA) will start the opening game on Tuesday.

The Red Wings have several promotions scheduled this week:

• On Tuesday (6:45 PM), Bills legend Darryl Talley will appear for a meet & greet and autograph signing. Autograph tickets $20 each. In addition, the first 2,500 fans will receive a magnet.
• On Wednesday (6:45), the Red Wings will host Brian Baumgarner, better known as Kevin Malone on The Office. Day-of-game selfie tickets with Brian will be $30. In addition, the Red Wings will hand out t-shirts to the first 500 fans and have Office-themed games and concessions throughout the night.
• It’s College Night during the day on Thursday (1:05 PM), with college students, faculties, and staff able to purchase a $15 ticket with $5 free diamond dollars. It’s also Rochester Plates Day and Open Door Mission Day. Anyone who donates two unopened toiletries, non-perishable food items, or gently-used clothing can get any grandstand ticket for $10.
• Friday (6:45) is Beach Night, with fireworks and a Hawaiian Shirt giveaway to the first 1,000 fans.
• Saturday (6:05 PM) is Grateful Dead Night, with special Red Wings/Grateful Dead merchandise, a tie-dye station, and more. In addition, there will be a replica jersey giveaway for the first 1,000 kids ages 12-18, the Collectorfest Card and Collectible Show, postgame fireworks, and a special House of Guitars t-shirt launch.
• Sunday (1:05 PM) will have giveaways of kids backpacks (first 1,000 kids 12 and under) and eclipse glasses (first 2,500 fans) in honor of next year’s solar eclipse. In addition, kids will be able to run the bases post-game.