Red Wings take both ends of doubleheader in St. Paul

BY DAN GLICKMAN

The Rochester Red Wings moved back over .500 for the season on Saturday, beating the St. Paul Saints in both ends of a doubleheader by scores of 3-2 and 8-7.

The Red Wings (12-11) opened the day playing the game delayed from Friday. It was a back-and-forth contest, but the Red Wings ultimately jumped ahead in the top of the seventh, 3-1, thanks to Drew Millas‘ first AAA home run of the season and a two-out RBI single from James Wood. St. Paul threatened in the bottom of the seventh, but Amos Willingham completed the save to give Rochester the victory.

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Left fielder Darren Baker led the Wings offensively, going 3-for-4 and stealing a base. That stolen bag, in the first inning, set up Rochester’s first run, a Juan Yepez single. Thaddeus Ward started the game for the Wings and went five innings, allowing two hits and an earned run while striking out three in a no-decision.

In game two, the Red Wings led 7-1 heading to the bottom of the fifth before a six-run inning tied it up at 7-7. Baker put Rochester back ahead in the top of the sixth with a sacrifice fly, completing a 1-for-3 game that included a run scored two stolen bases. Travis Blankenhorn hit his team-leading seventh home run earlier in the game, while Wood went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and two stolen bases.

Richard Bleier earned the win with a scoreless inning of relief, while Rico Garcia notched his second save of the season, forcing a one-out double play to end the game.

The Red Wings complete their series with St. Paul on Sunday at 3:07 p.m. Rochester right-hander Jackson Rutledge is set to start against St. Paul righty David Festa.