Red Wings light up Buffalo, 11-2, for July 4 win

BY DAN GLICKMAN

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Rochester Red Wings celebrated the Fourth of July at Innovative Field by providing their own fireworks Thursday, hitting three home runs and recording 11 total hits as they defeated the Buffalo Bisons, 11-2.

The Wings (46-37 overall, 8-2 International League lead in the second half) fell behind early in the first period thanks to two runs scored in the top of the first by Buffalo (40-44 overall, 3-7 in the second half), including a solo shot by the Bisons’ shortstop. Gabriel Cancel. They responded, however, at the end of the second inning, as Drew Millas And Jackson Cluff hit back-to-back singles with two outs before Call from Alex played golf Paolo Espino low curveball to left. The ball wasn’t hit particularly hard, with an exit velocity of 95.4, but it carried to left field for Call’s 10th home run of the season, a game-winning shot to make it 3-2.

The Red Wings added another run on a long ball an inning later, as Carter Kieboom hit a 1-1 cutter to start the third inning with his fourth home run of the season, extending the lead to 4-2.

SEE MORE PHOTOS OF JOE TERRITO.

Rochester hit its third and final home run in the fifth, when Travis Blankenhorn drew a leadoff walk against Buffalo’s reliever Luis Quinones Before Trey Lipscomb He jumped on a home run on the first pitch he saw and hit it over the left-center field wall for his third AAA home run of the season, giving the Wings a 6-1 lead. An eighth five-run home run broke the game wide open and Rochester took the lead with a final score of 11-2.

On the mound, right-handed Spenser Watkins (6-3) recovered from a two-run first inning to pitch five innings, allowing four hits and striking out seven. All four hits came in the first inning, in fact, all four hits came before he even recorded his first out. From that point on, the Bisons only got to the finish line against Watkins by drawing one of two walks. Joe La Sorsa (two sleeves), Amos Willingham (one sleeve), and Orlando Ribalta (one inning) completed the remainder of the match, with Ribalta finishing the match by eliminating all three opponents in the top of the ninth.

At the plate, Lipscomb led the Wings, going 3-for-4 with a triple shy of the cycle while getting a walk and two RBIs. Millas had a 2-for-4 night with a walk, while the left fielder Pierre Garrett He went 2 for 3 with two walks and an RBI. Darren Baker had a hit and stole his 27th base, tied for second in the league.

The Red Wings, winners of three straight games, continue their series against Buffalo on Friday night at 6:45 p.m. Jackson Rutledge (4-5, 6.82 ERA) is expected to take the mound for Rochester against Buffalo’s right-hander Aaron Sanchez (2-5, 10.55 ERA). It will be Military Appreciation Night at the ballpark and there will be several additional promotions, including post-game fireworks, a meet-and-greet with Bruce the Bat Dog and appearances by the ZOOperstars. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.