BY DAN GLICKMAN
The Rochester Red Wings earned a series split with the Buffalo Bisons on Sunday, winning 5-4 thanks to a two-run fifth and a pitching escape in the eighth.
Down 4-3 heading into the fifth, the Red Wings (14-13 in second half, 59-41 overall) opened the inning with a triple by Leandro Pineda, who soon came home on a Phillip Glasser single to tie the game up, 4-4. Christian Franklin then drew a walk, and both runners moved up a base when Abimelec Ortiz grounded out. Another ground-out, this from Andrew Pinckney, brought in Glasser to give the Red Wings a 5-4 lead.
The lead was put in great danger in the eighth, however, when Konnor Pilkington walked three straight Bisons (14-13, 49-53) with one out. Gus Varland was brought in and escaped the bases-loaded jam, however, striking out Carlos Mendoza on a challenged called strike three and then getting Rudy Martin Jr. swinging.
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Before the Red Wings took the lead and then held it, they’d taken an early lead against Simeon Woods Richardson courtesy of a Joey Wiemer double and a Cayden Wallace sacrifice fly in the top of the second. A third run came home in the fourth, when Pinckney scored on a double-play.
The Bisons were rallying back, however. They’d already brought in a run on a Sean Keys single in the third inning, and later a three run-run shot in the bottom of the fourth by former Red Wing C.J. Stubbs gave Buffalo the 4-3 lead before Glasser and Pinckney put the Red Wings back ahead for good.
On the mound, Andry Lara threw three innings, striking out three, allowing three hits, and allowing an earned run. Erik Tolman (1-2) earned the win in relief despite allowing three runs (two earned) in one inning of work. Zach Penrod had the save with a hitless ninth, his fourth.
The Red Wings return to ESL Ballpark starting Tuesday with a 6:05 p.m. game against the Syracuse Mets.
The Wings just completed a sort of ‘meh’ series with Buffalo. Each team kinda traded wins all week. It was rare that the bullpen survived a one run lead for 5 innings, including that crazy 8th when our guy walked the bases loaded. It was also rare that the Wings lost a game where they only allowed 3 runs. Usually their offense more than compensates, so the 3-1 loss was unexpected.
Nats are taking players from us little by little now as they prepare for trade deadline day and their chase for a wildcard. I expect a lot more movement the rest of the way. If the Wings finish the 2nd half at .500, that would be about right. They blew their best chance by choking away the 1st half pennant with a terrible loss to Toledo on that fateful Sunday.
Lots more games to be played against the Bisons. They hit a lot of HR’s this past week. We need Morales back in the lineup. House being recalled isn’t helping our cause.
Syracuse next.