BY DAN GLICKMAN
The Rochester Red Wings bounced back from a Tuesday loss with a Wednesday win, beating the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders 8-1 to even up a crucial series in the second half International League playoff race.
The Red Wings took the lead in the second on a Trey Lipscomb single to make it 1-0. Riley Adams followed up with another single, scoring Phillip Glasser from third to extend the lead to 2-0.
Rochester increased its lead in the fifth, as Leandro Pineda struck his first AAA home run to pad the lead to 4-0, only for Maxwell Romero Jr. to make it back-to-back with a solo shot to further up the score to 5-0.
VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM JOE TERRITO.
Even as the Red Wings were getting to Scranton pitching to the tune of what was ultimately nine hits, their own pitching held up. Starter Jackson Kent went 5.2 innings, striking out five and allowing three hits, two walks, and an earned run on the night to move to 8-3 on the year in AAA. His lone blemish came in the bottom of the fifth, when Scranton’s Yanquiel Fernandez hit a solo home run to right-center field with two outs.
The Wings added three more insurance runs in the ninth on a solo shot by Trey Lipscomb and the first career AAA home run by Sam Petersen, a two-run big fly 377 feet over the left field wall in Scranton.
Jake Bird, making his Nationals’ organization debut after being acquired in the Luis Garcia Jr. trade, went 1.1 innings against his former team, allowing a hit. Cole Henry and Kyle Nicolas each threw hitless innings in releif.
The win follows Tuesday’s 8-3 loss, and again moves the Red Wings to five games back of Scranton for the International League second half lead.
Rochester and Scranton continue their series on Thursday at 7:05 p.m. As of publication, the Red Wings had not yet announced their starter, but Scranton expects to send the New York Yankees’ No. 3 prospect, right-hander Elmer Rodriguez, to the mound.
Trades, injuries, and recalls have totally changed the Wings lineup, as we knew would happen. Much of their ‘pop’ is not with them anymore (or is still injured in case of Morales….when is he returning or is he?)
It was good to see last nights bounce-back win against a very strong team. Wings will not contend for the 2nd half title but it would be a real kick in the pants of MLB if they finished with the leagues best record, while not qualifying for post season. (and that IS a possibility) If that happens shame shame shame on MLB for creating a ridiculous post season for the IL.
they don’t care.