Jon Kemmer collected 4 hits and 4 RBI in the win for Rochester.
TOLEDO, OHIO — In a season full of offensive struggles, Thursday night had to feel sweet for the Rochester Red Wings.
The Wings exploded for 15 runs on 19 hits – including a pair of 3-run homers – in a 15-2 win over the Mud Hens before 6,530 fans at Fifth Third Field.
The Red Wings (55-66) wasted no time getting to work in their first and only visit to Toledo. The Wings collected 7 hits and sent 15 men to the plate over the first 2 innings to build a 4-0 lead. The rehabbing Robbie Grossman drove in a run with a single in the first and then a sac fly in the second. Kennys Vargas and Willians Astudillo each followed with RBI knocks.
The Mud Hens tried to answer right back in the second as they loaded the bases with 2 outs against the Wings opener, John Curtiss. But Fernando Romero entered in relief and induced a groundout to second to end the threat.
After a couple inning lull, the Wings got back to work in the sixth, hanging an 8 spot on the board. Vargas drove in a pair with a single and then LaMonte Wade and Jon Kemmer each followed with 3-run homers in the inning to extend the lead to 13-0!
Vargas added a 2-run homer in the seventh inning as he finished 3-for-5 with five RBI. Kemmer finished 4-for-5 with 4 RBI and 3 runs scored.
Every Wings hitter in the starting lineup collected at least 1 hit and 7 of the 9 had multi-hit nights.
Romero earned his fifth win of the season, allowing 2 runs (1 earned) on 7 hits over 5.1 IP.
The Wings look to keep the bats hot in Game 2 of the 4-game series Friday night in Toledo. RHP Zack Littell (4-5, 3.55) is scheduled to get the start for Rochester.
*NOTES — In a roster move Thursday, Minnesota Twins OF Robbie Grossman begins his MLB rehab assignment.