By CRAIG POTTER
Mistakes hurt good pitching performances as Rochester falls to the Chiefs, 3-2.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Lack of timely hitting, a couple of base-running mistakes, and an error in the 7th inning all proved costly as the Rochester Red Wings fell to the Syracuse Chiefs, 3-2, on Tuesday night before a paid crowd of 2,484 fans at Frontier Field.
“We had a couple of miscues on the bases, a bit of over-aggressiveness,” said Red Wings manager Joel Skinner. “We just need to start getting some hits with men on base.”
The Chiefs too advantage of an error by right fielder Jake Cave to plate 2 runs in the 7th inning to pull ahead, 2-1, off Rochester rookie Fernando Romero, who was making his Triple-A debut.
The Red Wings tied the game in the home half, but could have regained the lead except they took themselves out of a potential big inning with two base-running mistakes.
Nick Buss led off with a double down the right field line. With one out, Gregorio Petit ripped a RBI double to center. Zack Granite was safe on a fielder’s choice as on his grounder to short, Petit took off for third but got tagged out on the play.
Taylor Featherston followed with a single, but Granite got picked off from second to end the inning.
Rochester stranded 8 runners in the game.
The Chiefs plated the winning run on back-to-back doubles off reliever Alan Busenitz in the 8th.
Rookie hurler Nick Anderson made his Triple-A debut in the top of the 9th and got all 3 outs via strikeout.
Adalberto Mejia started on the mound for the Wings and hurled 2 innings. Romero pitched 5 frames as Busenitz and Anderson threw 1 each.
“We’ve had some weather issues and we’re just trying to get everybody on the mound,” Skinner said.
“All of our guys have been throwing the ball well, considering what they’ve gone through the last week. They’ve done a good job getting themselves ready…and it showed itself on the mound.”
Rochester (0-2) and Syracuse (3-2) conclude the series on Wednesday with a 12:35 pm start.
*NOTES — Zack Granite and Nick Buss each had a stolen base, the Wings’ first steals of the season…Gregorio Petit had two hits for the second straight game…Express Mart Thruway Cup Series: The Red Wings are now 0-2 in the season-long competition for the Thruway Cup.
Links
Rochester Red Wings – redwingsbaseball.com