Rochester rides a 4-run 3rd inning to a 4-3 win over the Syracuse Chiefs.
By CRAIG POTTER
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The Rochester Red Wings ended their 9-game home losing streak with a 4-3 victory over the Syracuse Chiefs on Tuesday night before 5,453 fans at Frontier Field.
“We scored more than two runs, basically is what happened,” said Red Wings manager Joel Skinner. “From that standpoint, you have to score some runs to win and we did that tonight.”
“We always want to win at home,” said Rochester relief hurler DJ Baxendale. “We’ve got great fans here. So to come in after a rough stretch in our last couple at home and just kind of carry the momentum we had on the road trip into a home win and hopefully a couple more is always great.”
The Wings scored all their runs in the third inning to overcome a 2-0 lead by the Chiefs.
Gregorio Petit started the rally with a single to right. With 1 out, Nick Gordon reached when his ground ball to second was misplayed. Both runners scurried home on a double down the left field line by Jake Cave to tie the game, 2-2.
“I was happy those guys got on in front of me so I could get some runs in,” Cave said. “I think it’s just one of those things where scoring runs can get kind of contagious.”
LaMonte Wade drew a 2-out walk before Willians Astudillo and Cameron Rupp each delivered RBI hits.
Rochester starter Dietrich Enns (5-6) pitched 5 innings, giving up 3 runs on 6 hits. He walked 2 and struck out 2 batters.
“He kept the damage down and gave us a chance,” Skinner said. “That’s what a starting pitcher does. He threw a lot of pitches (94) for five innings.”
The Rochester bullpen did the job the rest of the way as they held the Chiefs off the scoreboard to preserve the win. Baxendale fired 2 innings as he fanned 4 and gave up 2 hits.
“I was able to execute all my pitches and set them up the right way,” said Baxendale. “Our catcher, Cameron Rupp, did a great job back there calling a good game and just really having good glovework back there and having an understanding of what to do to attack the hitters.”
Luke Bard and John Scott hurled the 8th and 9th, respectively as the save was Scott’s 5th of the season.
“Our bullpen did a great job,” Skinner said.
Though the offense only got 6 hits and scored in just the one inning, Skinner said, “We got enough. That’s all that matters.”
The series continues with a 12:35 pm game Wednesday and concludes with a 7:05 pm contest Thursday.
“We’re in a good spot, just try to keep it going,” Cave said. “Got an early one tomorrow so get some sleep tonight and come out and hopefully the offense rolls over and pitchers keep dominating.”
*NOTES — In a roster move Tuesday, INF Leonardo Reginatto was reinstated from the disabled list…Tuesday’s appearance with former Buffalo Bills kicker Scott Norwood has been postponed due to his flight being canceled. The appearance has been rescheduled for this Thursday, June 21. Norwood will begin signing when the gates open at 6 pm until 6:40 pm, and again from 7:05-8 pm…The 4-run third inning nearly matched the 5 runs the Wings totally scored in the 6 games of their last home streak…Minnesota Twins outfielder Bryon Buxton went 0-for-4 in his first rehab game with Rochester…Jake Cave’s RBI double in the third increased his Triple-A on-base streak to 16 games.