Rochester ties its season-high with four home runs in 6-2 win over the PawSox.
PAWTUCKET, R.I. — The Rochester Red Wings launched 4 homers against rehabbing Boston starter Drew Pomeranz as they slugged their way to a 6-2 win Monday night at McCoy Stadium.
Rochester has now won 12 of their last 19 games to even their record at 40-40 on the season.
Byron Buxton got the homer parade started with a leadoff shot to DEEP left field. Three batters later, Kennys Vargas extended the Wings lead to 3-0 with a 2-run shot – his team-leading 10th of the season.
Edgar Corcino joined the fun in the second inning with a two-out solo shot – his first as a Red Wing this year – and LaMonte Wade finally bounced Pomeranz from the game with a long homer to right in the third inning that gave Rochester the 5-2 lead.
The Wings last 4-home run game came May 25 vs. Buffalo. The last time the Wings homered 5 times in a game was nearly 2 years ago on July 28, 2016 at Pawtucket.
Rochester entered the day 13th out of the 14 team International League in home runs hit and have now hit 35 of their 52 homers (67%) away from Frontier Field this year.
DJ Baxendale made the spot start for Rochester after Zack Littell, the scheduled starter, was summoned up to Minnesota earlier in the day. Baxendale went 3.0 innings allowing 2 runs on 3 hits and a walk with 3 strikeouts.
Luke Bard followed Baxendale and turned in three scoreless innings to earn the victory.
Jake Reed and John Curtis combined to navigate the final 3 innings without yielding a run.
The Wings are now 6-1 against the PawSox this season.
Game two of this short 2-game series in Pawtucket is Tuesday night. Righty Fernando Romero (1-1, 2.33) gets the start for the Red Wings.
*NOTES — Dating back to the beginning of 2017, the Wings have won 9 of their last 11 games at McCoy Stadium…In roster moves Monday, OF Byron Buxton was returned from MLB rehab assignment, reinstated from the disabled list and optioned to Rochester. The leadoff homer for Buxton was his 7th in 77 games with the Red Wings; INF Jorge Polanco returned from MLB rehab assignment; RHP Zack Littell was recalled by the Minnesota Twins; and OF Ryan LaMarre was designated for assignment…The Red Wings are tied with Durham for second in the International League with a 3.33 ERA as Lehigh Valley has taken over the league lead with a 3.32 mark. Rochester had pitched to a 2.11 ERA in the previous 11 games before allowing 12 earned run the last two games. The Wings have thrown 8 shutouts and allowed 3 or fewer runs in 42 of 79 games this season…Entering tonight’s game, Rochester is 31-for-the-last-202 (.153 average) with runners in scoring position since June 2.