BY MIKE ROSE
The Rochester Red Wings began their homestand with a victory Tuesday, knocking off the Toledo Mud Hens 2-0. Travis Blankenhorn carried the load offensively recording three hits of Rochester’s eight hits, including a two-run home run that produced the only runs of the game. Joan Adon led the way with a standout start on the mound, working five shutout innings with six strikeouts to earn the win. It was the first shutout for Rochester since June 16, 2023, after allowing 17 runs in Sunday’s loss.
Early on, however, it appeared it could be another disastrous night for the Red Wings pitching. Mud Hens right fielder Justyn-Henry Malloy lined one off Adon for a base hit and the Red Wings starter was shaken up. Adon stayed in the game and walked the next batter before working to a 3-0 count to Keston Hiura. Adon would work back to record back-to-back strikeouts to escape danger and he would cruise from there.
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“We pitched extremely well,” Red Wings manager Matt LeCroy said. “That was something that was well needed. But we got some guys down there that have a lot of time in the big leagues and you just gotta flush it and the leaders down in that bullpen are keeping everyone’s heads on straight and in the right spot. Tonight was a really good night for us.”
The Red Wings scoring came in the third. After Darren Baker led off with a triple Blankenhorn came to the plate with two outs and on the seventh pitch of the at-bat served a changeup into right field. It was Blankenhorn’s second home run of the season.
“Anytime I can put some runs on the board it’s definitely a plus,” Blankenhorn said. “Just trying to battle. I think I was 0-2 in every at-bat tonight so at that point just trying to battle and see what I could do.”
Blankenhorn finished the night 3-for-4 overall at the plate, adding. a double. While Blankenhorn delivered with a runner in scoring position, the Red Wings continued to struggle situationally. The Red Wings overall went 1-for-13 with runners in scoring position in the game. LeCroy knows that is an area his team will need to amend.
“The thing that we’re doing well is we’re getting on base in those spots,” LeCroy said. “We’re extending at-bats, waiting guys out, taking our walks but I trust these guys, they’re in a good spot. ‘Blank’ is a veteran guy who picked us up tonight but situationally for me, we have to be better. We haven’t done as good situationally that we’re used to but we’ll address it. We addressed it before the game today in our meeting but when you get those guys on second and third with less than two outs you gotta find a way to get them in and we didn’t really do it to add on at all so it’s something we’ll continue to work on.”
Luckily for Rochester, the pitching staff bounced back in a major way from Sunday’s performance. Adon was followed by 1.1 scoreless frames from Amos Willingham who exited with two men aboard. Richard Bleier entered and celebrated his 37th birthday with a one-pitch double play to escape the jam forcing a lineout from Akil Baddoo to first base. Jacob Barnes followed to shut the door recording his first save of the season with two innings of work.
Rochester (7-6) will be back at Innovative Field for game two of the six-game set with the Mud Hens (9-7) tomorrow. Jackson Rutledge (1-0, 3.86) is slated to get the start for the Red Wings while Keider Montero (0-0, 0.00) will get the ball for Toledo. The first pitch is scheduled for 11:05 a.m.
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