BY JONAHAN SKUZA
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The Rochester Red Wings (39-25) behind a strong first were able to secure a 5-2 victory over the Worcester Red Sox (33-29) Wednesday evening.
”We had a tough night last night and we bounced back tonight,” Red Wings manager Matt LeCroy said. “That says a lot about our club. I’m really happy with the way we turned around tonight.”
The first inning was all Rochester, on the defensive side of the ball, they were able to send Worcester down in order. On the offensive side, they pushed across five runs on two hits, two errors, and four walks. The Red Wings even chased away Worcester’s starter Eduardo Rivera after 2/3 of an inning.
”We put some really good at-bats together,” LeCroy said. “He’s had our number a little bit this year, but we did a nice job in our at-bats to lay off the changeups.”
Seaver King started the scoring with a solo home run on a 0-2 count that was driven into the Red Sox bullpen. Yohandy Morales and Brady House would score on a throwing error on an Andrew Pinckney ground ball. Phillip Glasser drove in the final two runs on a base hit.
King would finish the contest with three hits and a stolen base for Rochester.
”I put good swings on balls today and got rewarded,” King said. “I tried to stay consistent with my plan and it worked out today.”
Worcester cut into the Rochester lead in the fourth inning, when Mikey Romero hit the first pitch of the inning over the Red Wings bullpen in right field. Romero drove in another run in the ninth after Vinny Capra led the inning off with a triple.
Jackson Kent gave Rochester a strong outing on the mound. He hurled six innings where he struck out seven Red Sox batters. He only surrendered one run on the long ball in the fourth.
”I was going into it with a good head space and me and the catcher were on the same page,” Kent said.
After giving up the long ball, Kent would strike out five of the next sixth batters he faced which included him setting down the Worcester side via the punch out in the fifth.
“After the home run, it was alright go back to what I’ve been doing before that, and it was one bad pitch,” Kent said. “Basically I moved on to the next pitch.”
The Red Wings’ bullpen was able to lock down the game as they gave up one run on three hits and one strikeout to cap off Kent’s strong performance.
”It was awesome,” Kent said. “I know if I come out early or runners on base, I know my bullpen is gonna help me out. Thy’re a good group.”
Rochester showed off their speed with five stolen bases on Wednesday. They pulled off a double steal with House and Morales that set them up scoring in the first. Pinckney snagged a bag in the third and fifth innings and King stole one in the fourth during his strong performance.
”They are taking advantage of guys’ times,” LeCroy said. “We have forced these guys to be more aggressive and it has paid off.”
The Rochester Red Wings and Worcester Red Sox will continue their series with a doubleheader on Thursday at 1:05 p.m. Righty Luis Perales (1-4, 3.02) will get the start in game one for Rochester while Worcester’s starter is yet to be announced. The Red Wings’ second game starter is to be determined while righty Brayan Bello (NR) will get the ball for Worcester.
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