BY DAN GLICKMAN
Outfielders Robert Hassell III and Nick Schnell each had three hits as the Rochester Red Wings ended the Buffalo stretch of a home-and-home with a win over the Buffalo Bisons, 14-8, on Thursday.
Schnell led the way with four RBI, including a three-run home run as part of a five-run eighth that brought about the final 14-8 score. The home run concluded what had been a back-and-forth game, with the Red Wings (29-52 overall, 2-7 in second half) taking an early 6-0 lead before an eight-run second propelled Buffalo (34-48 overall, 4-5 in second half) into the lead behind home runs from Will Robertson, Orelvis Martinez and Riley Tirotta.
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The Wings came back from the 8-6 deficit starting in the fourth, when first baseman Yohandy Morales singled in Darren Baker to cut the deficit to 8-7. They then tied it up and took the lead in the sixth, when C.J. Stubbs tripled to center to score Jackson Cluff before later scoring himself on a Hassell double to jump ahead, 9-8. The five-run eighth put the game out of reach for good and secured the win.
Cluff hit a three-run home run in the first, part of a three RBI night. Schnell’s other RBI also came in the first, a two-out single that drove in Morales to open scoring.
All eight runs allowed were charged to Wings starter Chase Solesky before five Rochester relievers threw 7.1 innings of shutout relief, with Holden Powell earning the win for two innings of no-hit ball. Joan Adon, Mason Thompson, Konnor Pilkington, and Parker Dunshee also pitched.
The Red Wings begin their three-game home portion of the six-game series with Buffalo on Friday night with the annual Fourth of July festivities. Cade Cavalli is scheduled to pitch for the Wings against Buffalo’s Nolan McLean. First pitch is set for 6:45 p.m.
gotta win one once in awhile but last night it was back to ‘normal’. Wings got two 3 run leads and the bullpen knows its role this season. Cough up leads just as soon as possible. In one inning just at a snap of the finger, the 6-3 lead turned in to an 8-6 deficit. For the cherry on top another run came across in the 9th and the Wings are now 2-8 over the first 10 games of the ‘new’ season.
And to be fair, it hasn’t just been Grissom Jr who has failed, its the entire pen. Manager LeCroy doesn’t have one single hurler out there who he can trust to save a game. Thats what makes watching this team so unsatisfying. You know there is a high chance the Wings will not prevail late in any game they don’t lead by at least a touchdown.
Hear tell the gnats want to recall Cavalli…the human yo-yo on the mound. He is either lights out or completely incompetent..with very little middle ground. but since both Wings and Nats are bottom feeders, may as well experiment away. This is truly a lost season.
Props to the Wings staff for luring over 11,000 out for this holiday game. People still like going to the ballpark in the summer in Rochester, but its sure not to see good baseball anymore. Can’t tell you how incredibly disappointing this has been.
The bullpen has ‘amassed’ 8 saves over 83 games. You can’t make this stuff up.
Nice to finally win one but yesterday it was back to normal. another big lead wasted by the inept bullpen. hard to believe only 8 saves in 83 games. LeCroy doesn’t have one single arm in the pen that he can rely on to preserve a win. Watching this team is so unsatisfying because unless they have a lead of a touchdown or more, they aren’t going to win.
I hear Gnats want to call up Cavalli now. Well, go for it. He is Mr Yo-Yo. Either lights out or completely inept…no middle ground for him. Since both Wings and Gnats are bottom feeders this year, may as well experiment. Its a total lost season.
Props to Wings management for luring over 11,000 out last night for the holiday. Certainly isn’t to watch good baseball. Summer nights at the ballpark are still pretty neat.