BY JONATHAN SKUZA
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Matt LeCroy always preaches to his team to keep fighting.
That’s exactly what the Rochester Red Wings (20-33) did Friday evening as they walked off against the Columbus Clippers (22-30) for the second night in a row 10-9.
”For us to come back in the ninth and do that,” LeCroy said. “That’s a testament to the guys in that room. These guys have never panicked. They kept fighting and now we’re starting to turn some things around.”
Nick Schnell played the hero Friday evening as he collected a two RBI double when the Red Wings were down to their final strike Friday evening.
”I knew going into that inning we were going to put together good at-bats,” Schnell said. “We were putting together good at-bats all night. I got two strikes and got the pitch I wanted and was able to put it in play.”
Schnell finished the evening with four RBI as in the first inning he hit a 386 foot two-run home run into the Rochester bullpen as a part of a six run first frame.
”It was just a hit parade there,” Schnell said. “ Everybody was feeding off each other.”
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Rochester started off Friday’s contest hot with the six run first inning that featured three long balls. Andres Chaparro got the Red Wings offense going with a towering 415 foot three-run homer down the left field line. Then came Schnell’s two-run shot that was followed by an Andrew Pinckney solo long ball to center field.
“We had really good at-bats,” LeCroy said. “We took advantage of some balls that their guy missed over the plate.”
Columbus cut the lead in half over the next two innings before Chaparro launched his second home run of the contest into the Clippers bullpen.
”He’s unbelievable,” Schnell said. “It almost feels like every time he’s up to bat, you’re expecting a loud barrel or a hummer. He puts together professional at-bats.”
After Chaparro’s second homer, the Red Wings offense went a little cold from the fifth inning until the big ninth inning. Columbus during that time creeped back slowly in the ball game. The Clippers pulled themselves within one in the seventh inning when they drew two bases loaded walks.
In the eighth, the game flipped in Columbus’ favor as David Fry gave the Clippers their first lead of the evening with a two-run home run. Johnathan Rodriguez would score on a wild pitch as an insurance run for Columbus.
Much like Thursday, Rochester saw themselves staring down the barrel of defeat going into the ninth, but they were able to get some clutch hitting when they needed the most. Brady House led off the inning with a base hit, then got into scoring position on a wild pitch. Chaparro drew a walk then Yohandy Morales loaded the bases with no outs. Drew Millas grounded out to pull the Red Wings within one before Schnell sent the 7,194 in attendance at Innovative Field home happy.
”We needed that,” Lecroy said. “After what happened there late in the ballgame. Really proud of how they fought.”
Rochester finished the contest with four long balls which was the first time since May 2nd when they accomplished the feat against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. The three homers in the first inning were an accomplishment that the Red Wings had not done since June 5, 2021 against the Worcester Red Sox.
Thursday and Friday’s contests have shown that the Red Wings luck has turned since their woes in April. LeCroy echoed the same message he stated the night prior.
”Absolutely,” LeCroy said. “We lost the lead there and we never could put together a good offensive approach to get back in those game early. Tonight, we felt pretty god about coming back. We felt good about our chances.”
With the win on Friday, Rochester claimed the series against Columbus. The Red Wings have won back-to-back series and will look to continue their hot streak in the rest of the series and into June.
”We’re trying to continue to play team baseball and pull for each other,” LeCroy said. “Most clubhouses would have been down in the dumps the way we started, but these guys continue to work every day. They kept a good attitude.”
The Rochester Red Wings and Columbus Clippers will continue their series on Saturday at 6:45 p.m. as Rochester will send righty Adrian Sampson (1-1, 4.35) to the mound while southpaw Parker Messick (3-1, 2.95) will toe the slab for Columbus.
The wins just keep coming. I never would have believed this two weeks ago.