By PAUL GOTHAM
BUFFALO — Gage Ziehl may not want to leave Buffalo.
The former Penfield Patriot and current member of the Worcester Red Sox arrived in the Queen City six days ago with a 1-3 record and an earned-run average (ERA) north of 6.0.
With family and friends on hand for both of his starts, Ziehl leaves Western New York having taken one decision, and he lowered his ERA to 4.30 after Worcester dropped an 8-7 host Buffalo Bisons, in front of 7,398 at Sahlen Field.
“It was definitely a good time this week,” he said. “It was great to see a bunch of family members and friends. The support travels. It’s awesome, but I’m to go to Lehigh (next series).”
Last Tuesday, the 6-foot right-hander allowed one run on four hits over 6 and 2/3 innings of work. Sunday’s effort consisted of five full innings with one run surrendered on three hits and one walk.
VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM STEVEN TWARDZIK.
He left the game with a 7-1 lead.
“The strikeouts weren’t there, but again, they swung very early in the count,” Ziehl said referring to the 56 pitches he threw. “That was efficient, and I was able to get through five innings pretty easily.”
Along the way, he took advantage of help from his teammates.
Battery mate, Tomàs Nido was 3-for-3 on strike challenges including on Ziehl’s first pitch of the game.
“Down in Double-A, you don’t have that (ABS pitch challenge). When you can reverse it, it’s nice.
“I don’t know if I’ve had one right this year. I’ve had maybe one, but to get three in a game is awesome.”
First baseman, Nathan Hickey was the trigger man on a double play in the third, and third baseman Anthony Seigler made a back-handed stop behind the bag before making the throw for an out in the fourth.
“Hickey started a great double play, and that led to a five-pitch inning,” Ziehl said. “When that stuff happens, it just keeps you going in attack mode. It’s relieving when you get a play like that.”
He retired eight of the last nine batters he faced and finished the game with two strikeouts, nine groundball outs and two in the air.
“When I’m doing that, that’s when I’m at my best,” he said referring to the high percentage of groundball outs. “I’m just filling up the zone. The hitters, they’re not fooled. They know what’s coming, my stuff’s good enough to get weak contact and ground balls.”
Romy Gonzalez finished 3-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored to help Worcester grab a 7-1 lead after four innings of play.
Lenyn Sosa sparked a seven-run Buffalo seventh with a two-run home run. Ismael Munguia delivered the go-ahead run with a two-out bases-clearing double.
The No. 17 prospect in the Boston Red Sox system per MLB Pipeline, Ziehl allowed two or fewer runs in nine of his 11 starts with Double-A Portland. He had a 6-3 record with Sea Dogs before being promoted to Triple-A on August 4th. He has made 23 starts this season.
Leave a Reply