Red Wings storm back with six-run ninth to win Buffalo series opener

BY DAN GLICKMAN

Down 3-1 heading into the ninth inning, the Rochester Red Wings scored six runs in the top of the frame to leap ahead of the Buffalo Bisons and open the six-game series down the thruway with a 7-3 win.

The victory is Rochester’s fourth straight and keeps the Red Wings (12-10 in the second half, 57-38 overall) perfect since the All-Star break, despite the loss of corner infielder Yohandy Morales – arguably the team’s best position player this season – to the injured list.

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The six-run rally against Buffalo (11-12 in the second half, 46-51 overall) reliever Pat Gallagher began with two straight singles from Trey Lipscomb and Joey Wiemer, followed by a passed ball that allowed both men to move up a base to put two runners in scoring position. Riley Adams drew a walk to load the bases, and while Cayden Wallace then flew out, Maxwell Romero Jr. singled to bring in two runs and tie the game at three.

The inning continued with Christian Franklin striking out, only to reach base on a wild pitch. Abimelec Ortiz then gave the Red Wings the lead with a two-run double to right, 5-3. Buffalo replaced Gallagher with Conor Larkin, but the scoring continued for Rochester, as Brady House doubled to bring in Ortiz and make it 7-3.

Ortiz’s game-winning double was not the only one he had in the contest: he’d earlier driven in the first run of the game for the Wings in the eighth with a one-out line drive to right that made the game 3-1 for Buffalo.

On the mound, Red Wings starter Andry Lara struggled, allowing five hits and walking four while allowing all three of Buffalo’s runs. Zak Kent earned the relief win (5-0), allowing a hit while striking out a man in a scoreless eighth. Gus Varland pitched a scoreless ninth, allowing a hit but striking out two.

The Red Wings and Bisons continue their series on Wednesday, when left-hander Konnor Pilkington is expected to take the hill against the rehabbing future Hall-of-Famer Max Scherzer for Buffalo. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m.