By Craig Potter
Jorge Polance smacks a 3-run home in the 6-2 victory over the Clippers.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Rochester Red Wings completed a sweep of the Columbus Clippers for the first time at Frontier Field on Thursday afternoon with a 6-2 victory before a crowd of 4,814 fans. The win was the team’s fifth straight. Previous series with the Clippers always were 4 games, in which the Red Wings never did sweep a series at home.
Jorge Polanco belted a 3-run homer and ended up driving in 4 of the 6 runs for the Red Wings. He hit a fastball for the homer.
Polanco plated the first run in the first inning on a fielder’s choice that scored Danny Santana, who had singled, stole second, and moved to third on Wilfredo Tovar’s single.
In the fifth, Santana and Tovar each stroked 1-out singles before Polanco blasted the ball 366 feet over the left field fence.
Starting pitcher Jason Wheeler hurled 7.2 innings, scattering 4 hits and giving up 2 runs. He also walked 2 and struck out 7 in gaining the win (5-1). A year ago at this time Wheeler was struggling to get guys out.
“I’ve taken it personal and show people that I do belong. I think I’m off to a pretty good start,” Wheeler said of his performance. “I’ve been working on pitches. I have a new slider that’s been a big help for me. Change-up, I’m throwing with more confidence…I pretty much throw fastballs in a lot. That pretty much comes with your confidence. I think that I have that this year.”
“He’s pitching inside better than he did last year,” said Red Wings manager Mike Quade. “His change-up has always been a good pitch, but he’s using his cutter more and giving right-handers a very difficult time…He’s pitching with a lot of confidence.”
The Clippers scored their 2 runs in the top of the 8th, but the Wings got them back in the home half on a 2-run homer by Tommy Field.
“Tommy has given us a nice left,” Quade said. “He’s done a good job for us.”
Reliever J.T. Chargois recorded the final 4 outs in picking up his fifth save of the season for Rochester.
The Red Wings hit the road for a 7-game trip starting Friday night in Toledo.
Rochester (40-27) is in first place in the International League North Division by 1.5 games over Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (39-29) as the Yankees lost to Toledo, 3-2.
The 40th win on June 16th is the earliest since 2006 when the Wings were 40-23.
“Winning is really fun. That’s what the goal is all about,” Wheeler said. “We want to develop winners.”
Cliburn named to coach in All-Star game
Rochester Red Wings pitching coach Stu Cliburn has been selected to be the pitching coach for the International League All-Stars by Chris Tremie, manager of the IL defending champion Columbus Clippers, who was named manager of the team.
The IL All-Stars will square off against the Pacific League All-Stars in the 29th annual Triple-A All-Star Game on July 13, at 7 p.m. in Charlotte, N.C.
Cliburn is in his 25th season in the Minnesota Twins organization and his fourth as Rochester’s pitching coach after having rejoined the team this year for the first time since 2008.
Stu’s brother Stan served as a coach on the IL All-Star squad in 2007.
*NOTES – Twins INF/OF Danny Santana went 2-for-4 and played right field and shortstop Thursday, in the third game of his rehab assignment with the Red Wings…The win improves the Wings’ home record to 22-13, and the team has an 18-14 record heading into the 7-game road trip that begins Friday night in Toledo.
Links
Rochester Red Wings – redwingsbaseball.com
Videos
Jorge Polanco interview – https://youtu.be/L3LGoksW4Cw
Jason Wheeler interview – https://youtu.be/glMHIfyvwA8
Manager Mike Quade interview – https://youtu.be/Z0eajrFLMQ8