BY DAN GLICKMAN
The Rochester Red Wings opened the second half of the 2026 season with a 10-9 win at the Charlotte Knights on Tuesday, surviving a late comeback from the AAA Chicago White Sox affiliate.
Entering the ninth with the Wings up 10-6, the Knights got two runners on with one out against Zak Kent before Kent was relieved by Luke Young. Young then allowed a single to Michael Turner, loading the bases. A sacrifice fly by Nolan Jones, a walk to Korey Lee, and a two-run single by Caden Connor later, and the Wings’ lead was down to one. However, Young was able to get out of it, forcing Mario Camilletti into a game-ending groundout.
VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM JOE TERRITO.
Earlier, Rochester (1-0 in the second half, 46-28 overall), just two days after falling just short in the race for the first-half title in the International League, had jumped off to an early lead on a three-run shot by Andrew Pinckney in the second. Although the Knights scraped two back over the following innings, the Red Wings seemingly put the game out of reach, 10-2, with a seven-run seventh that included a two-run single by Seaver King and then a two-run double from Yohandy Morales. A four-run bottom of the seventh and the three-run ninth ultimately made the Rochester victory a tight one, however.
Luis Perales, pitching as the “bulk guy” after Zach Penrod started the game as an opener, went 5.1 innings, allowing six runs (five earned) on seven hits but picking up the win to move to 2-4 on the year. Luke Young earned the save, his first. King, Brady House, and Tyler Wiemer all had two hits at the plate with King and Morales both driving in two runs. Pinckney had three RBI, all on his home run.
One concern for the Red Wings is the health of catcher Harry Ford, who was hit by a pitch in the head in the second inning with a 93.3 MPH pitch that caused a break in his helmet.
The Red Wings return to action on Wednesday in Charlotte at 7:04 p.m. Right-hander Chandler Champlain is scheduled to start against Charlotte righty Mason Adams.
pitching pitching pitching. A bullpen that can’t manage an 8 run lead in the 7th inning has to be a cause for concern.
and honestly what is this fascination for using an ‘opener’? We don;t have a talented enough staff to waste a pitcher in that manner. Pitching cost us the 1st half pennant. It has been the weak link on this team ever since Washington washed ashore here. Yeah, there have been some good moments, but to win a title, to raise the bar, you just can’t have guys come in unable to throw strikes and who go deep in counts with just about every hitter.
Can’t expect the hitters to always bail you out…as evidenced by their failure on Sunday, when the pitchers also failed.
Last nights win felt like a loss on many levels. We have allowed 18 runs in the past 2 games. Got a few small repairs to make!
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