BY JONATHAN SKUZA
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The Rochester Red Wings used a complete effort on both sides of the ball to collect a 8-2 victory over the St. Paul Saints Friday evening.
”We got guys that are winning ball players,” Red Wings manager Matt LeCroy said. “One through nine we got guys that grind and battle.”
Rochester’s bottom half of the lineup shined on Friday with right fielder Stone Garrett reaching base in all four plate appearances. Garrett had three runs scored and RBI base hit in the seventh inning that scored Erick Mejia.
”Doesn’t matter where you really are in the lineup, you want to contribute to the team and hopefully come out with a win and that’s what we did tonight,” Garrett said.
VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM JOE TERRITO
Jackson Cluff contributed as well in the nine hole with two runs scored and a base hit.
”I love our lineup and now we’re starting to put some things together,” LeCroy said.
The bottom of the lineup’s contributions led to a strong showing from the top of the lineup. Drew Millas led the way with a 2-for-5 evening with three RBIs that included a two RBI base hit in the sixth inning.
”I thought I did a good job just sticking to my approach in those moments,” Millas said.
Darren Baker went 2-for-4 with two runs scored while Travis Blankenhorn collected three RBIs on a bases loaded walk, a fielder’s choice and a groundout.
”This team does a good job of just playing for each other and I think it goes a long way when you go at-bat to at-bat,” Millas said.
Rochester scored their runs in bunches as they collected three runs in the third and sixth innings while scoring a run in the fourth and seventh innings. Rochester loaded up the bases in back-to-back innings in the third and fourth innings and then loaded the bases again in the sixth.
Rochester in the Third inning took advantage of defensive mishaps from St. Paul as the Saints committed two errors with the big inning starting on a catchers interference call when Garrett led off the inning. The Red Wings benifited from a error at first base that allowed Juan Yepez to collect an RBI.
”Kind of went small ball a little bit at times,” LeCroy said. “The guys put balls in play. They put pressure on them to make plays and they did.”
On the defensive side of the ball, Rochester turned three inning ending double plays during Friday’s contest.
”Our defense today was pretty solid,” Garrett said. “Just getting out of those inning with double plays was great.”
”We took advantage of the sinker and change-up combo with some of those ground ball guys and I think it paid off tonight,” Millas said.
Jackson Rutledge pitched a solid four innings for Rochester, before getting into trouble in the fifth innings where he surrendered two runs. Rutledge finished his start with four and two-thirds innings of work where he fanned five Saints batters and gave up two runs on four hits and four walks.
”He didn’t go into panic mode,” LeCroy said. “He got the big strikeout, and I know he wanted to stay in the game but for what he did in that moment, I thought that was the best time to take him out.”
St. Paul got on the board in the fifth when Diego A. Castillo collected a two RBI double that scored Tony Kemp and Will Holland.
The Rochester bullpen closed the door for the Red Wings after they took over for Rutledge. The bullpen gave up no runs while surrendering three hits and striking out one batter.
”Guys are starting to throw the ball a lot better and they start to get a little more comfortable in certain spots and that helps you win ballgames,” LeCroy said.
After dropping back-to-back games in the series, Rochester has now won back-to-back games and will look to claim the series on Saturday.
”Good team effort,” LeCroy said. “Hopefully, we can take this momentum into tomorrow.”
The Rochester Red Wings (28-25) will continue their series with the St. Paul Saints (24-30) on Saturday with first pitch slated at 6:45 p.m. Rochester will send righty Thaddeus Ward (3-2, 6.02) to the mound, while right-hander David Festa (1-1, 2.77) will toe the slab for St. Paul.
Leave a Reply