BY DAN GLICKMAN
The Rochester Red Wings’ road winning streak came to an end on Friday night, as they fell to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, 4-2.
The loss ended a three-game winning streak to open the series in Allentown, as well as an 11-game win streak on the road. However, the Red Wings remain in first place by a half-game in the International League first-half playoff race due to the Memphis Redbirds’ 6-0 loss to Louisville. The Nashville Sound also lost, keeping them 1.5 game back of the Red Wings.
The Red Wings fell behind initially in the fourth on a wild pitch by Zach Penrod that allowed Lehigh Valley’s Bryan De La Cruz to score, but then jumped ahead in the top of the fifth when Robert Hassell III doubled in Andrew Pinckney. Hassell himself later scored on a one-out sacrifice fly from Phillip Glasser to make it 2-1.
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The lead wouldn’t last long, however, as Gabriel Rincones Jr. tied it up with two outs in the bottom of the fifth with an RBI single off Penrod. Former Red Wing Carter Kieboom then put the IronPigs ahead with a sacrifice fly in the sixth against Seth Shuman. An eighth-inning home run by Otto Kemp off PJ Poulin added further insurance for Lehigh Valley and brought about the final 4-2 score.
On the mound, Luis Perales had a no-decision, going 3.1 innings of one-hit ball while walking two, striking out three, and allowing an earned run. Shuman was handed the loss, moving him to 5-1 on the season, after a 1.1 inning showing where he allowed a run on three hits. Lehigh Valley’s Chuck King, a usual reliever who was used as a “bulk” pitcher in relief, earned the win with three no-hit innings, striking out four Red Wings.
Hassell and Andrew Pinckney each had two hits for Rochester.
The Red Wings and IronPigs continue their six-game series on Saturday, when the Rochester expects to send out Andry Lara for a 6:35 p.m. game against Lehigh Valley’s Alan Rangel. A win would ensure a fifth consecutive series victory for Rochester.
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