By MIKE NECKERS
Jackson Cluff finished the day 2-for-4 including a lead off single in the fourth inning to spark a two-run frame when the Red Wings took a lead which they did not surrender in a 10-8 victory over the Buffalo Bisons on Sunday. Cluff singled, stole second, and eventually scored on Darren Baker’s two-run double that also brought home Dylan Crews to give Rochester a 6-4 lead.
Cluff drove in two runs one inning later as the Wings pushed their lead to 8-4. The Wings shortstop drove in Stone Garrett and Jack Dunn on the play. Rochester eventually made it a 9-4 game in the eighth when Brady Lindsly drew a bases loaded walk to bring home Andrés Chaparro.
Red Wings reliever Ty Tice worked two-thirds of an inning to pick up the win. The right-hander came on with runners on the corners, two runs in, and one out in the third inning, and escaped the jam with only one additional run scoring. Joe La Sorsa and Amos Willingham each worked a scoreless inning of relief. Adonis Medina worked two shutout frames.
Garrett went 2-for-5 with two runs scored on the day. Dunn finished 2-for-4, adding one RBI and one run. Along with two RBI, Baker also scored twice. Chaparro had an RBI and two runs scored. Joey Gallo went 2-for-3 with an RBI and one run scored.
For Buffalo Alan Roden and Damiano Palmegiani hit back-to-back solo homers in the third. Along with the homers, Roden posted two runs and one RBI, and Palmegiani had one RBI. Josh Kasevich finished 3-for-5 with an RBI and one run scored.
Will Robertson doubled and drove in two in the ninth when Buffalo pushed across three runs.
With the win, the Red Wings split the series 3-3 with the Bisons, and look ahead to their next series against the Syracuse Mets. First pitch is scheduled for Tuesday, 6:45 p.m. at Innovative Field in Rochester.
Wings are now treading water, splitting a series for the 3rd straight time. For a brief shining moment we had visions of this team somehow overcoming all adversity and vying for first place.
But thats all over now. DC came a-callin and gutted out once pretty dangerous lineup. Since then it has been back to win-lose win-lose.
This team is not awful by any stretch. They also aren’t particularly good…not good enough to string a bunch of wins together anymore.
I think .500 the rest of the way is about the ceiling. What I’d like is for Gallo to go back up to polish his strike-out routine and Blankenhorn get sent back (since he isn’t doing well up there) That would be quite an addition.
Anyone know if Cabe Cavalli will ever pitch again? Heard he was rehabbing in the low minors but now have lost track. Sort of like John Means of Baltimore (but probably no longer) some athletes’ bodies just don’t let them play the way they must. For pitchers its a tough gig. But even guys like Buxton and Royce Lewis…they also just can’t stay healthy.
I guess 3-3 is OK for this upcoming series with Syracuse. And they will continue to march in place. Looking for good weather and decent crowds.