The Bats limit Rochester to just 6 hits in earning a 2-0 victory to win the series, 2-1.
By CRAIG POTTER
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The Rochester Red Wings continue to struggle at home following a 2-0 loss to the Louisville Bats on Wednesday night before 9,137 fans at Frontier Field.
The defeat dropped the Wings’ home record to 16-27 as Rochester fell 4 games under the .500 mark (44-48).
Red Wings starter Stephen Gonsalves and Louisville’s Homer Bailey, who is on a rehab assignment from the parent Cincinnati Reds, battled through 6 scoreless innings.
“It was a good battle,” Gonsalves said.
Gonsalves worked out of jams in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th frames as he finished with 3 hits, 5 walks, and 3 strikeouts.
“Tough to do anything without a fastball,” said Gonsalves. “We were able to grind through it.
“They’re not hitting it so I’ve just got to trust myself to throw it over the plate.”
Bailey went 7 innings while scattering 4 hits, walking 3 and striking out 3 batters.
“It was fun to watch him,” said Gonsalves. “Watch him throw 96 in that sixth inning at 100 pitches, it’s pretty impressive. It’s always fun going up against big leaguers.”
The Bats got on the scoreboard with an unearned run against reliever John Curtiss in the 7th. The Bats attempted a 1-out squeeze play by Blake Trahan. But the ball was in front of the plate where Curtiss picked it up and was able to tag Stuart Turner out at the plate.
“That was a phenomenal play,” said Red Wings manager Joel Skinner. “It was probably one of the best plays I’ve seen a pitcher make in this league all year.”
See the play here: https://twitter.com/search?q=rochester%20red%20wings%20curtiss&src=typd
After a walk loaded the bases, Phillip Ervin’s grounder to first was mishandled by Kennys Vargas as Chadwick Tromp crossed the plate.
Louisville tacked on an insurance run in the 9th against Tyler Duffey.
The homestand continues with 5 games against the Norfolk Tide beginning Thursday with a double header starting at 5:05 pm. The Tides will be the home team in the second game, which is a makeup of a rainout in Norfolk.
*NOTES — In roster moves Wednesday, INF Alex Perez has been transferred to Rochester from Double-A Chattanooga after OF Zack Granite was placed on the disabled list with a right shoulder contusion. Perez went 0-for-2 with a walk in his Red Wings debut…Gregorio Petit is batting .362 (17-for-47) with 2 doubles, a homer, 11 RBI, and 6 runs scored since July 2…The Red Wings have the most road wins in the International League this season, going 28-21 away from Frontier Field. Rochester has hit 41 of its 63 homers (65.1%) on the road.