BY DAN GLICKMAN
The Rochester Red Wings split their two games over the weekend at the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, losing on Saturday, 3-2, before winning in 11 innings on Sunday, 7-6, on a Brady House double.
The loss-then-win means the Red Wings (38-24) exit Allentown with a 4-2 series victory over the Philadelphia Phillies’ AAA affiliate, and also leaves them a half-game up in the International League first half race over both Memphis and Nashville. With two series and 13 games (due to a make-up game scheduled with the Worcester Red Sox) left in the first half, the Red Wings would – if the season ended today – be in line for their first playoff appearance since 2013.
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After losing Friday’s game to Lehigh Valley, the Red Wings fell behind early on Saturday, 3-0, after a Carter Kieboom infield single in the fourth and a two-run single by Bryan De La Cruz in the fifth for the IronPigs. Although the Red Wings clawed back to a one-run gap on a Yohandy Morales two-run home run in the sixth, Rochester ultimately came up short, leaving the bases loaded in the ninth for the loss.
Sunday’s game started off with a bang, as Christian Franklin hit a solo home run to lead off the game, one of three hits on the day for the right-fielder as he finished a triple short of the cycle. Lehigh Valley moved ahead with two runs in the bottom half to make it 2-1.
The Red Wings retook the lead in the third thanks to a Morales single and then a single by House, 3-2, before another run scored on a double-play to extend the lead to 4-2. Lehigh Valley got one of those runs back in the the fourth, but Rochester again extended its lead in the seventh, when Trey Lipscomb hit safely to center to bring home Robert Hassell III and Tres Barrera later scored as well on a double-steal.
The Wings held the lead into the bottom of the ninth. With International League saves leader Eddy Yean on the mound and a man on first with one out, the IronPigs began a final comeback. On the first pitch from Yean, Lehigh’s Dylan Moore smashed a fly ball to right for a two-run home run to cut the Red Wings’ lead to one. Keaton Anthony later singled in the tying run to force extras with the score of 6-6.
After both sides failed to score in the 10th – although the Red Wings had to throw out De La Cruz at home on a muffed pop-up – the Wings took the lead for good in the 11th when House led off with a double to score the “phantom runner”, Abimelec Ortiz. Seth Shuman came in for the bottom half of the inning, walking the first man he faced before retiring the next three for save, his second.
The Red Wings now return home for the last two series of the first half, beginning with a 6:45 p.m. game against Worcester on Tuesday.
I thought it was nasty to cut Saturdays game to 7 innings. I know it was delayed a long time but was that by mutual agreement? Wings blew a chance to tie it in the last inning, the 7th (not 9th)..but should have had 2 more chances. tough way to lose an important game.
OTOH, yesterdays win was gutsy. After our usually reliable saves leader couldn’t get it done and blew a 3 run 9th inning lead, Wings managed to weather the storm in extra innings. Thought for sure 1 run wasn’t going to be enough in the 11th but it was…and it was a very important win. Wings didn’t want to come home out of first place AND on a 3 game losing streak.
It won’t be easy to secure 1st place since Memphis and Nashville are also playing well, but it has been fun finally playing meaningful baseball after so many years of terrible teams. I really hope we can get it done. That double header on Thursday will be key (is it going to be 2 7 inning games starting at 1pm…or two separate 9 inning games with the 2nd starting in the evening?) Probably the former.
For the Wings to win the 1st half I believe they can do no worse than 9-4. Keep in mind that Memphis and Nashville play each other in the final 6 game series of the half. That could benefit the Wings, specially if they win their games.
I have maintained they will only go as far as their pitching will take them. It has been shaky lately which scares me, but lets play the games and fill the stadium for these final 13 games!