BY MIKE ROSE
The Rochester Red Wings are back in the win column. The Red Wings exploded for a three home run second inning as they down the Worcester Red Sox (7-7, 42-47), 6-3. The win helped Rochester continue its surge as they have not lost back-to-back games since the second half began.
Rochester (12-3, 50-38) has taken two of the first three on the road against the Red Sox. The Red Wings sit atop the International League standings with a two-game lead over second-place Lehigh Valley. Rochester also leads the IL in runs scored (104) and run differential (+33) so far in the second half.
The second inning power stroke came from an unexpected spot in the Rochester lineup. It was the bottom of the order who carried the load as Drew Millas, Stone Garrett and Erick Mejia launched the three home runs in the frame. Millas and Mejia connected on solo shots while Garrett drilled a two-run blast. The trio hit sixth, eighth and ninth in the order for the Red Wings on Thursday.
Spenser Watkins started on the mound for the Red Wings, surrendering just one earned run in the bottom of the second on an RBI single from Tyler Heineman. Overall, Watkins went 5.2 allowing three hits and three runs with three walks and three punchouts.
Millas continued to supply offense with an RBI double in the third that scored Brady House. Then in the fourth, it was Mejia driving in another run on an RBI single. That extended the Red Wings lead to 6-1 and they would coast from there.
Worcester would tack on two more to chase Watkins who gave way to the Red Wings bullpen which was lights out once again. Joe La Sorsa, Eduardo Salazar and Rico Garcia slammed the door in the final 3.1 innings. The trio allowed one hit and struck out six to finish out the night. Garcia picked up his 14th save of the season.
Millas ended the night going 3-for-4 with a run and a pair of RBI. Garrett and Mejia also added two hit days as the trio drove in all six runs and recorded seven of the 12 hits. House and Carter Kieboom each had two hits in the as well for Rochester. Worcester overall mustered just four hits
Rochester is back in action tomorrow for game four of the series in Worcester. Jackson Rutledge was originally slated to get the ball for Rochester but he is now set to start tomorrow in Milwaukee for the Washington Nationals leaving the Red Wings starter to be announced. Worcester is scheduled to send Cooper Criswell )2-2, 1.40) to the mound. The first pitch from Polar Park is set for 6:45 p.m.
Interesting that in all 3 2nd half series so far, Wings have lost game 2. This was a nice bounceback win for the team. Lets see if they can do to Worchester what they did to Indy and Buffalo now!