BY DAN GLICKMAN
Rochester’s catching corps of Maxwell Romero Jr. and Riley Adams had big days at the plate as the Red Wings (27-19 in the second half, 72-47 overall) defeated the Omaha Storm Chasers (23-21 in the second half, 56-52 overall), 8-7, on Tuesday in Nebraska.
Romero (who had catching duties) went 3-for-3 with two home runs (bringing his AAA total to seven) and three RBI to go along with two walks, while Riley Adams (playing as a designated hitter) went 2-for-5 but had perhaps the biggest hit of the game when he struck a one-out 354-foot two-run shot in the seventh to tie the game up at 6-6. Romero would give the Wings the lead later with his second home run of the night, a solo shot to lead off the eighth and make it 7-6. Phillip Glasser added an insurance run later in the inning with a one-out single to increase the lead to 8-6.
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That insurance run proved helpful, as the Storm Chasers scored a run in the ninth off Gus Varland thanks to a Brett Squires RBI single to cut the lead to 8-7. Omaha had the tying run at second and winning run at first when Varland was able to get Carson Roccaforte to ground out to end game, however, giving Varland his fourth AAA save of the year and moving the Wings to one game back of Indianapolis in the race for the International League second half pennant.
Earlier in the game, Romero started off scoring with a line-drive single in the second that brought in Adams to give Rochester a 1-0 advantage. Seaver King added to that an inning later with his 10th home run in AAA. Back-to-back doubles from Abraham Toro and Jack Pineda gave Omaha a lead in the bottom of the third, however, 3-2, and another run came in to score when Matthew Lugo brought in Pineda on a sacrifice fly to extend the lead to 4-2.
Although Romero cut into that lead in the top of the fourth with a solo shot, the Storm Chasers added two more in the bottom of the fifth to give themselves a 6-3 lead. Rochester’s comeback started a half-inning later on a Cayden Wallace home run, setting the stage for Adams’ game-tying homer in the seventh.
On the mound, Rochester again had a bullpen game, with Matt Krook starting the game and going two innings while allowing a hit and a walk while striking out two. Cole Henry struggled in relief of Krook, and only lasted one-third of an inning while allowing four hits and four runs. A string of five more pitchers followed, with Justin Lawrence earning the win in relief – his first for Rochester – for a perfect seventh that saw him strike out the side.
The Red Wings, winners of four straight and now sitting 25 games over .500 on the season, continue their series in Omaha on Wednesday, when lefty Jared Simpson is expected to begin the game against Omaha’s right-hander, Lucas Braun.
Romero may be prone to striking out…but when he makes contact I have not seen a hitter smash the ball with such power all season. The ball literally fires off his bat like it has been shot out of a cannon. All of his HR’s have been hit like that. His contributions since being recalled have been massive.
Wings continue to surprise us. Sure hope the Nats don’t destroy us on Sept 1st when they can recall 2 players. They aren’t in the wild card race anymore and if we are still in the running for 1st place I hope they leave us alone.
Yeah, I know the company line. but the heck with that. This organization has provided us with bad baseball ever since they washed ashore. We deserve this. Winning is a lot of fun. Something we haven’t enjoyed here in years.