By CRAIG POTTER
Jason Wheeler and Trevor Hildenberger combine on a 5-hit shutout.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The Rochester Red Wings rode a 4-run second inning into a 4-0 shutout of the Durham Bulls on Tuesday night before a paid attendance of 3,316 at Frontier Field.
“This four-run thing, we made it stand up tonight,” said Red Wings manager Mike Quade with a smile. “At Scranton, we got four early a couple of times and couldn’t get the fifth (in consecutive 5-4 losses). We’re still scratching and trying to figure some things out.”
Starting pitcher Jason Wheeler went 7+ innings, giving up 5 hits while walking none and striking out 9 hitters. After yielding a leadoff single and double to start the eighth, Trevor Hildenberger came on and got a double play and foul pop out to preserve the shutout.
“I thought (Wheeler’s) change-up was excellent and he pitched inside for strikes effectively,” said Quade. “He worked in and out real well.”
After yielding 2 hits in the first, Wheeler retired 13-of-14 batters through 7 innings against one of the best hitting teams in the International League.
“I was able to make both sides of the plate with pitches,” Wheeler said. “The defense made some good plays…and I had some of my better stuff this year.”
Durham right-fielder Johnny Field lined out to shortstop Engelb Vielma, who then flipped the ball to second baseman Niko Goodrum to double off the runner for the first two outs of the frame.
“He knew the player and where to play him,” Vielma said through teammate interpreter Leonardo Reginatto.
The Wings scored all their runs in the second inning. ByungHo Park and Matt Hague started the rally with singles. With one out, J.B. Shuck ripped a 2-run double to left-center. After two outs, Engelb Vielma doubled in the third run down the right field line, and he crossed the plate on Zack Granite’s basehit.
“Got a little help from the bottom of the lineup,” Quade said.
Shuck attempted to score from third in the fourth on a fly out to center, but was gunned down at the plate on a perfect throw by Mallex Smith for a double play to end the inning.
The Bulls have the second best record (28-15) in the IL behind Lehigh Valley (30-14).
“It’s a good way to start the homestand against a good club,” said Quade.
*NOTES –LHP Adalberto Mejia was optioned back to Rochester by the Minnesota Twins…The series continues on Tuesday with a 7:05 pm start…J.B Shuck continued to raise his batting average as he went 2-for-3, both doubles. Since May 17, Shuck is hitting at a .500 pace (9-for-18) with 5 doubles, 4 RBI, and 4 runs scored.
Links
Rochester Red Wings – redwingsbaseball.com
Videos
Jason Wheeler interview – https://youtu.be/GDpHUR4L8JE
Engelb Vielma interview – https://youtu.be/_fn2m1nEDb4
Mike Quade interview – https://youtu.be/fdCL2CNSZJI