Important first set gives Red Wings 10-4 win in Buffalo

BY DAN GLICKMAN

An eight-run first inning lifted the Rochester Red Wings to a 10-4 victory over the Buffalo Bisons on Tuesday in Buffalo.

All eight points in the first inning came with two outs, as the Wings (6-2 in the second half, 44-37 overall) opened the scoring when Juan Yepez And Trey Lipscomb got back-to-back walks, with Lipscomb’s walk forcing home Darren Baker from third base to make it 1-0. Shortstop Jackson Cluff followed by a simple to bring Riley AdamsSO Call from Alex lined up a 2-2 fastball from Green Chad in the center to bring two more and extend the lead to 4-0.

SEE MORE PHOTOS OF JOE TERRITO.

Paxton Schultz replaced Buffalo’s starter (3-5 in the second half, 40-42), but Rochester’s hits kept coming, with Brady Lindsly Cluff house before Dylan’s Crews Darren Baker doubled the ball to left to score two runs and give the Wings a 7-0 lead. Darren Baker finished the scoring with a single to center, scoring for Crews.

Those eight runs proved to be all the Red Wings needed, but they got two more insurance runs in the fifth inning when Buffalo Abdiel Mendoza Cluff threw a 1-0 sinker, which sent him 104.5 MPH over the right-center field fence for a two-run home run. Cluff’s sixth AAA home run of the season was part of a 2-for-4, three-RBI night for the Coloradan.

On the mound, left-handed Andre Alvarez earned his first AAA win with a five-inning start, allowing seven hits and four earned runs, including three solo homers. Four other Red Wings relievers combined to hold the Bisons scoreless over the final four innings: Orlando Ribalta, Amos Willingham, Joan AdonAnd Rico Garcia.

Crews hit 2 for 5 with two RBIs, while Call hit 2 for 4 with two RBIs and a stolen base. Juan Yepez walked twice and scored twice.

The Red Wings, currently leading the International League in the second half of the season, conclude their three-game road series with Buffalo on Wednesday at 6:05 p.m., with the right-hander Thaddeus Ward (4-3, 6.56) against a Buffalo starter to be determined. The Wings then return home on Thursday, July 4 for a 6:45 p.m. game.