By CRAIG POTTER
All the runs were scored in the sixth inning as the Chiefs hold off Rochester, 3-2.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The game came down to the eighth inning when the Rochester Red Wings had runners on second and third with one out, but could not score. Rochester (26-29) continues struggling to being able to bunch hits and score multiple runs.
The Syracuse Chiefs made their three runs in the sixth inning stand up for a 3-2 victory on Thursday night before a paid crowd of 4,087 fans at Frontier Field.
The decisive play came as Rochester threatened in the eighth when Vielma singled and Granite doubled with one out. J.B. Shuck hit a grounder down the first base line where Syracuse first baseman Matt Skole fielded the ball. He looked to home but Vielma was not trying to score, then he fired the ball to second baseman Irving Falu, who recorded the out at first. Hague then grounded out to short to end the threat.
Red Wings manager Mike Quade was asked if Vielma should have tried to score on the play.
“If he’d had gone, I think he’s out,” Quade said. “OK, fine, two outs, man on third but you’ve lost your opportunity to win the game. That’s point number one. If we’re talking about these decisions on a regular basis with one or two run outputs, there’s no margin for error; why not just squeeze and try to tie the game up?
“If we were rolling along and the offensive output were better, I’d probably consider doing things differently, maybe.”
Syracuse (18-37) has the worst record in the International League as the Chiefs collected 11 hits.
Red Wings starting pitcher Aaron Slegers (4-4) went 6.2 innings as he walked three and struck out four. He worked out of a bases loaded situation in the second inning with a ground out to shortstop Engelb Vielma. Slegers retired the side in order in the third and fifth innings.
In the top of the sixth, the Chiefs led off with a single and two doubles for two runs, then a double with one out plated what proved to be the game-winning run.
The Wings answered in the home half as Vielma and Zack Granite both singled. They advanced on a ground out before Matt Hague lofted a sacrifice fly to right to score Vielma. Granite moved to third on a wild pitch, then scored on another wild pitch to account for the second run.
“We had plenty of opportunities in the three, four, five hole,” Quade said. “If you give up three runs you’re supposed to win. That’s just the way it is.
“If we continue to pitch this way and lose games three to two, it’s going to be a rough second half.”
Red Wings relief pitcher Ryan Pressly made his first appearance at home, since being optioned by Minnesota last week. He allowed a single and double to start the Syracuse ninth, but then struck out the next three hitters to escape unscathed.
*NOTES – The Minnesota Twins released RHP Nick Tepesch, who had been on the Red Wings’ disabled list, and recalled INF Kennys Vargas from the Red Wings…Zack Granite extended his hitting streak to 8 games, and in 7 of those games he collected multiple hits. Granite and Engelb Vielma each had 3 hits in the game…The 4-game series resumes on Friday night at 7:05 pm.
Links
Rochester Red Wings – redwingsbaseball.com
Videos
Mike Quade interview – https://youtu.be/QEDPMRZlp6A