BY JONATHAN SKUZA
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The formula for winning in any sports is getting the most complete team effort from your team in all facets of the game.
The Rochester Red Wings put together a complete team effort with a 4-1 victory over the Toledo Mud Hens Friday evening.
”It was a big bounce back after we had a tough second game of the doubleheader, but I like where we’re treading ,” Red Wings manager Matthew LeCroy said about the victory.
From the first pitch of the ballgame, Red Wing’s starter DJ Herz was locked in as he set down the first three Mud Hens he faced highlighted by fanning the first two he faced. Herz then continued his start strong start into the second inning by having his defense help him set Toledo down in order for a second straight inning.
”He took advantage of some holes in their swings and he got the ball where he wanted to get it to,” LeCroy said about Herz. “I thought he did a nice job and he really only made one mistake, but I’m really proud of the adjustments he’s making.”
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Herz made his only mistake of the ballgame in the third inning when Dillon Dingler sent a 1-0 pitch over the center field wall for the contest’s first run.
Herz then proceeded to set the next eight Mud Hens down he faced to end his five inning masterclass. The Fayetteville native only gave up one run on one hit and struck out five for his long start of the season.
The four bullpen arms that proceeded the southpaw continued what he started. The Rochester bullpen gave up one hit and two walks in four innings of work while punching out four batters. Rico Garcia earned his third win out of the pen will Jacob Barnes collected his second save.
“They have the ability to pitch at a big league level and most of them already have,” LeCroy said. “They gotta continue to throw the ball over the plate, get guys out, get some swings and misses on the plate on the plate.”
The Rochester defense behind the five pitchers played their part perfectly as they did not commit any errors and made key stops when they needed to. Jack Dunn made a sliding stop at shortstop and threw out a runner at second base to end the eighth inning.
On the offense side of the field, the Red Wings started off slow through the first four innings as Toledo’s starter Brant Hurter held Rochester to hit batter and a base hit through four innings.
The offensive luck changed in the fifth inning when two errors helped Alex Call and Carter Kieboom reached base. Dunn drove in Call to tie the ballgame.
Travis Blankenhorn gave Rochester its first lead of the ballgame with a 429 foot two-run home run after Juan Yepez collected a base hit to leadoff the inning.
“Threw me a first pitch changeup, I felt like he was gonna throw me some heaters and he challenged me and I got a good pitch and hit a homer,” Blankenhorn said.
”He’s a difference maker for me in the middle of the order,” LeCroy said about Blankenhorn’s performance. “He just continues to get better and better.”
Trey Lipscomb reach base after the round tripper and then came around to score after two pass balls and a throwing error on Toledo’s catcher.
”When you got guys that are young on your team that can run, that’s when we are going to push it,” LeCroy said. “We’re gonna make some mistakes on the bases, but I think we’re gonna play aggressive baseball and hopefully force people to make mistakes.”
”He made a good read and he made them make a play and ended up getting a run out of it,” Blankenhorn said.
The Rochester Red Wings (9-7) will look for the series win against the Toledo Mud Hens (10-9) on Saturday. The Red Wings will send right-hander Thaddeus Ward (0-1, 7.71) to the mound and Toledo will have southpaw Bryan Sammons (1-1, 6.00) toe the slab. A 1:05 p.m. first pitch is scheduled.
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