The Rochester Red Wings opened a two-week road trip at the Lehigh Valley IronPigs on Tuesday with a 9-4 win, powered by an offense that had three home runs, including a three-run shot by MLB Pipeline No. 2 prospect Dylan Crews.
The win, their eighth in their last nine games, helps the Wings (28-18 in the second half, 66-53 overall) keep pace 2.5 games behind the league-leading Columbus Clippers, who defeated the Indianapolis Indians in 11 innings, 2-1.
Crews opened scoring for Rochester in the second inning, drawing a bases-loaded walk with two outs to put the Wings up, 1-0. Catcher Drew Millas added another run for the Red Wings an inning later, leading off with a solo shot to extend the lead to 2-0.
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The Iron Pigs (22-22 in the second half, 56-61 overall, 7.5 games back) struck back in the bottom of the third thanks to Kody Clemens, who slammed a two-out pitch from Wings starter Thaddeus Ward 399 feet to right-center for a solo home run that halved Rochester’s lead to one. Clemens, the son of 354-game winner Roger Clemens, has continuously haunted the Red Wings during his time in the minors, and his solo shot on Tuesday was the 11th against Rochester in his career.
Crews got the run back and then some in the top of the fourth. With Trey Lipscomb on third, Stone Garrett on first, and one out, the LSU alum grabbed hold of a 2-0 sinker and sent it over the right-center field fence at 102 MPH. The Wings’ lead moves to 5-1.
Although the Iron Pigs cut the Red Wings lead to as little as 6-4 in the sixth, another three-run home run- this time by first baseman Joey Meneses– put the game out of reach for good in the eighth.
Ward earned the win to move to 7-4 on the season, allowing three hits and two earned runs in five innings while striking out six. Millas and designated hitter Carter Kieboom had two hits and an RBI each, while right fielder Stone Garrett went 2-for-2 with three walks.
The two squads continue their series on Wednesday, August 21, at 7:05 P.M. in Allentown. Right-hander Tyler Stuart makes his AAA debut for Rochester against Lehigh Valley righty Kyle Tyler.
Gnats did the right thing recalling Gallo and sending back Blankenhorn. He will help down the stretch.
Too bad Clippers prevailed in extras. Wings off to a good start in this series to stay just 2.5 back. There is still time to make up that deficit. If they fall 5 back by the end of the week then no. But you never know.