BY JONATHAN SKUZA
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The Rochester Red Wings (8-8) surrendered three home runs as they fell to the Buffalo Bisons (8-8), 5-3 on Tuesday evening.
”At the end, we had a chance to break their heart and we just didn’t get it done,” Red Wings manager Matt LeCroy said. “We fought hard and had a chance.”
Buffalo opened the scoring in the first inning when Yohendrick Pinango hit a two-run home run to right field to give the Bisons a 2-0 lead.
Rochester responded in the bottom half of the Inning when Robert Hassell III took a 3-1 count pitch 428 feet to right center field to cut the Rochester deficit in half. The long ball was Hassell’s first on the season.
”That homer was nice and he got a nice hit at the end of the game,” LeCroy said. “He’s trending the way we want him.”
The Red Wings were threatening to tie the ballgame in the bottom of the second, but an aggressive base running error derailed Rochester from tying.
”It was an aggressive play,” LeCroy said. “We’ll continue to learn, but we’re going to be aggressive on the bases.”
The game remain 2-1 until Riley Tirotta launched a 412 foot solo homer to put Buffalo back in front by two in the sixth.
Rochester yet again by tying the contest in the bottom half of the inning when Trey Lipscomb drove in Andres Chaparro and Yohandy Morales with a double.
”He’s gotten big hits all year long,” LeCroy said. “Hopefully, he’ll stay hot.”
Two innings later, RJ Schreck gave Buffalo its two run lead back with the Bisons’ third long ball of the day down the right field line.
”We try to stay away from slug,” LeCroy said. It’s part of our game, but we all know pitchers miss. Unfortunately for us, they didn’t miss the ball we didn’t locate well.”
Andrew Alvarez got the start for Rochester and gave the Red Wings five and a third innings of work where gave up three runs on six hits and a walk while striking out nine.
”He’s been great so far,” LeCroy said. “He struck out nine, got into the sixth and gave us a chance, but we couldn’t get it done for him.”
The Rochester Red Wings and Buffalo Bisons continue their series Wednesday afternoon at 1:05 p.m. when southpaw Mitchell Parker (1-2, 6.08) will take the hill for Rochester while Buffalo’s starter has yet to be announced.
Wings pitching fails in 5-3 loss to rival Bisons. They are back to .500 again. Not catching much of a break with weather (although tonite was pleasant enough) The ballpark has been virtually empty for every game so far.