BY DAN GLICKMAN
The Rochester Red Wings started their two-week southern road trip with a 16-1 win over the Charlotte Knights on Tuesday. The 15-run win is the largest Rochester (39-61, 12-16 in the second half) margin of victory against Charlotte (49-53, 13-14 in the second half) since a 15-0 victory on June 22, 1997, according to the team.
The victory provided the first win of the season for left-handed starter Andrew Alvarez (1-7), who had left several games this season with a lead only to end up with a no-decision due to late comebacks by opponents. Alvarez went six innings of two-hit ball, striking out seven before Joan Adon, Parker Dunshee, and Marquis Grissom Jr. finished the game with one inning worked each.
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The Wings dominated on offense, scoring four each in the third and fifth innings while outhitting the homestanding Knights 19-5. The Red Wings continued their assault in the final innings, scoring eight more runs against Charlotte’s last batch of relievers. They were paced at the plate by third baseman Andrew Lipscomb, who went 2-for-6 with two home runs for five RBI. First baseman Yohandy Morales, outfielder Andrew Pinckney, and designated hitter Andres Chaparro also homered for Rochester, while outfielder Nick Schnell went 3-for-5 with a triple. Chaparro and Darren Baker each doubled, with Chaparro ultimately finishing a triple away from a cycle.
Right fielder Dylan Crews, making his first rehab appearance for the Red Wings as he makes his way back from an oblique injury earlier this season, went 0-1 while reaching base on a hit-by-pitch, later coming around to score. The first of Pinckney’s two home runs came when he pinch-hit for Crews in the fifth.
The lone Charlotte run came on a solo home run by Will Robertson against Grissom with two outs in the ninth.
The Red Wings aim to make it two straight on Wednesday when they face Charlotte again at 7:04 p.m. Right-hander Bryce Conley is expected to start for the Red Wings.
Nats ‘super-prospect’ Dylan Crews is back with the Wings…on rehab most likely. He has been out most the season, but when he was playing early on, he was struggling. Wonder how long he’ll be with the Wings?
the big win is always nice, but it is usually followed by a 2-1 or 1-0 loss next day. Nature of the game. Wings are 4 under .500 after that disappointing series against SWB. .500 second half is still possible, but Wings will have to get decent pitching consistently, not just once in awhile.