By: Joey Campbell
BUFFALO, N.Y. - It was a mostly quiet day at the office for the Red Wings’ offense, as the Bisons defense led the way to a 3-2 win. The Red Wings only had four hits, three of which came in the first two innings and would be hitless until the eighth.
The Bisons' defense received major help from newly acquired centerfielder Jonatan Clase and second baseman Rafael Lantigua. Clase made two diving fly out catches in the third and seventh innings for the Bisons. Lantigua added to the magic in the field by recording six assists.
“You look at the major league level and the teams that play really good defense and pitch really well make deep runs so that's always been our focus...,” said Bisons manager Casey Candaele.
Alan Roden was the spark for the Bisons offense. He finished the day 2-for-4 with 2 RBI, a home run and a strikeout swinging. He extended his hitting streak to 12 games with his performance.
“He has historically been a good hitter...struggled a little bit to get settled and start feeling right. I think, you know, he’s at that point right now,” Candaele said.
Trenton Wallace got the ball today for the Bisons in his first ever start at Sahlen Field. He hit single-game highs for himself this season in strikeouts, walks allowed. In 3.2 innings, he threw three strikeouts while surrendering three hits, two earned runs and four walks.
“Its a learning curve for me right now, I had more strikeouts than last week but also walks... limiting the walks and moving forward just keep picking pieces of the game and learning,” Wallace said.
The Bisons bullpen was almost unhittable, giving up just one hit. They also threw a combined three strikeouts while allowing just one base on balls. Reliever Brayden Fisher was awarded the win and Hayden Juenger and Brandon Eisert would throw two innings each.
“What they did today was you know, they looked like major league relief pitchers...," Candaele said.
Thaddeus Ward got the start on the mound for the Red Wings. In five innings, he threw four strikeouts while giving up five hits, three earned runs, and two walks.
“He gave us a chance...I mean that's all you can ask," Red Wings manager Matt LeCroy said. "He had to make some pitches and turn some big double plays."
The Wings would turn to Orlando Ribalta for the sixth inning and Amos Willingham would pitch the final two innings. Combined, they only gave up two hits and a walk.
Rochester started off hot with a two-run homer in the first inning from Andrés Chaparro. With the dinger, he has now hit three homers in three consecutive games this series. He also now has 130 combined hits this season, which is the most in Triple-A and he's the first to hit that mark in Minor League Baseball this season.
The Bisons responded in the second inning. Roden hit a two-run dinger to tie the game up 2-2.
Buffalo struck again to break the tie in the fifth inning. Phil Clarke singled to right field scoring Nick Raposo to give the Bisons a 3-2 lead.
The Red Wings tried to claw their way back in the ninth as Dylan Crews got on base on a walk. However, Stone Garrett popped out and a double play secured the win for the Bisons.
With the Bisons win, they are now 53-57 on the season and are 16-20 in the second half. They are ranked sixth in the IL East and take the series lead 2-1. With the loss for the Red Wings, they are now 58-50 throughout the season and are 20-16 in the second half. They are ranked third in the IL East.
The Bisons welcome the Red Wings for the fourth game of the series on Friday at 7:05 p.m. Andrew Alvarez takes the mound for the Rochester (6-5, 3.75) while the Bisons pitcher is undecided.
Comentarios