BY JONATHAN SKUZA
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Behind a huge third inning, the Rochester Red Wings (17-14, 62-42) avenged their first shutout defeat with a 10-1 victory over the Syracuse Mets (13-17, 51-54) Friday evening.
”Proud of the offensive approach they took that inning,” Red Wings manager Matt LeCroy said. “They took advantage of some mistakes and it lead to a big day.”
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After two relatively quiet offensive innings, Rochester’s lineup exploded in the third inning for nine runs. The scoring frenzy opened up when Phillip Glasser ripped a sharp line drive double to right field that scored Riley Adams and Maxwell Romero Jr.. Christian Franklin kept the line moving with his two RBI doubles while that brought Seaver King and Glasser around to score. Abimelec Ortiz blasted a two-run round tripper for his 18th of the season to make it 6-0 Rochester.
After batting around, King tacked two more on to the Red Wings lead with a base hit. Glasser capped off the big inning with his third RBI of the inning on base hit that scored Adams.
”They expect to win now,” LeCroy said about his team’s mentality. “The character of our ball clubs over the last three years have never been quit and fighting every day. It says a lot about the guys maturing. They come and work every single day.”
Glasser continued his strong series against the Mets as he now has four RBI through four games. He also 5-for-12 (.417) in the series as he has given Rochester a solid bat in the top part of their lineup.
”His mindset is he think he is the best player on the field,” LeCroy said. “He knows how to play and the guys love him. They know when he’s up there something usually is going to happen.”
Adams launched a 408 foot solo home run in the fifth to give Rochester 10 runs for the first time since July 19th when they defeated the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp 11-2.
The cherry on top for Rochester on Friday was Andrew Pinckney robbing a clear home run in the seventh inning as Rochester was firing on all cylinders.
Luis Perales gave Rochester a solid start on the mound as he went five innings giving up no runs on four hits and two walks while fanning seven Mets.
”He did a good job,” LeCroy said. “He struck guys out. He made pitches when he needed to make them.”
Rochester’s bullpen kept the strong performance going. The bullpen gave up the lone run on three hits and two walks while striking out four Mets.
”The bullpen was good,” LeCroy said. “We made some good plays behind them as well.”
Even with getting shutout in the second game of the doubleheader on Thursday, Rochester has averaged five and a half runs a game in series. Rochester’s offense has been able to keep producing even without one of their top bats in Yohandy Morales.
”That says a lot about our talent,” LeCroy said. “Guys have stepped up in his absence. We have some good talent that doesn’t get to play every day, and now they get to play. I’m proud of all of them opportunities and making the most of them.”
The Rochester Red Wings will look to go for the series win as them and the Syracuse Mets continue their series on Saturday at 6:45 p.m. as righty Brad Lord (MLR) will take the mound for Rochester while southpaw Jonathan Santucci (NR) will toe the slab for Syracuse.
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