By CRAIG POTTER
Rochester rallies with 4 runs in the 8th inning to defeat the Indians, 5-3.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — For seven innings it appeared the lack of timely hitting was going to cost the Rochester Red Wings another game. They trailed the Indianapolis Indians, 3-1, in the Memorial Day matinee in front of 9,593 fans at Frontier Field. However, the home-towners rallied for 4 runs in the eighth inning to post a 5-3 victory and earn a 2-2 split in the 4-game series.
“What a range of emotions; just a fabulous crowd; what a great day,” said Red Wings manager Mike Quade. “And let’s salute the people who have represented this country and fought for this country. It was a great day to have that kind of crowd.
“It’s a good way to finish the homestand.”
Aaron Slegers didn’t find out until Sunday night that he would be starting after Jason Wheeler was called up to Minnesota.
“I didn’t know that information at the time I got the phone call from (pitching coach) Stu (Cliburn) that I’d be pitching (today),” Slegers said. “Pretty short phone call and I was ready when he told me I’d be pitching today.
“We were postponed earlier in the week so I was still on my normal rest of four day. I was going to get an extra day and start (Tuesday), but essentially it was normal rest.”
Slegers retired the first 8 Indians he faced.
In the top of the fourth, a walk to Max Moroff proceeded to a 2-out home run by Elias Diaz to give Indianapolis the lead.
The Wings responded in the home half when Matt Hague collected his second single of the afternoon off Drew Hutchinson to lead off. Mitch Garver drew a walk, and both runners advanced on a balk. Niko Goodrum knocked a RBI single to cut the lead in half, 2-1. Goodrum extended his hitting streak to 8 games, and he also has a 9-game on-base streak.
Indianapolis upped its advantage to 3-1 in the top of the sixth. With a runner on third and one out, Jason Rogers singled.
Slegers ended his day with 6 innings pitched, giving up 3 runs on 6 hits, one walk, one wild pitch, and he struck out 7 batters.
In the home eighth, back-to-back one-out doubles by Garver and Goodrum brought the Wings to within a run at 3-2. J.B. Shuck worked a walk, then John Ryan Murphy fouled off several pitches before drilling a single to score Goodrum with the tying run.
“JB will take a walk,” Quade said. “He’s got pretty good plate discipline. You talk about pitchers not giving in, JB will not give in either.
“He hasn’t hit his best stride yet either. I expect him to see him be consistent for us, hit .279, .280 or us and get on base for us with a walk.”
When outfielder Danny Ortiz, a former Red Wing, bobbled the ball, Shuck scampered home and slid to avoid the tag with the go-ahead run. Bengie Gonzalez ripped a double to plate Murphy for the 5-3 lead.
“What an at bat by Murphy,” Quade said. “That was the key one. Great send from (coach) Toby (Gardenhire) at third base. I’ve coached third base a lot of years. I’ve told him he’d better save on that one because you don’t get a lot of them.”
Relief pitcher Michael Tonkin hurled three scoreless innings to pick up the win. Tonkin struck out Barrett Barnes with a runner on base to end the game.
“We’re in a lot better shape (relief pitching) for (Tuesday’s doubleheader in Durham) than if I used three guys today,” Quade said of Tonkin pitching the final three innings.
Rochester evened its record at .500 (21-21) as the Wings start a 6-game road trip Tuesday to Durham and Norfolk.
*NOTES – Chili native and Aquinas graduate Chris Bostick went 0-for-3 with a walk in the final game of the series. He played right field for the second straight game after playing second and left field in the first two games of the series. He had the game-winning hit in Friday’s 11-6 win, and scored the winning run in Sunday’s 2-1 victory over his hometown team…Daniel Palka is expected to miss 4-6 weeks with a fractured left finger. He was placed on the disabled list. Palka had hit in 10 straight games, batting .341 (15-for-44) over that stretch with 2 doubles, 3 homers, 9 RBI, and scored 7 runs…The Minnesota Twins called up RHP Drew Rucinski and purchased the contract of LHP Jason Wheeler. The Twins also optioned 1B Kennys Vargas to Rochester. Vargas will join the Red Wings on the road starting with Tuesday’s twinbill in Durham, N.C. against the Bulls…Niko Goodrum was named the Batavia Downs Gaming and Hotel Player of the Week. He batted .368 (7-for-19) with 4 runs scored, a home run, and 4 RBI. Goodrum has been a valuable defensive asset for the Wings this season as he has played all three outfield positions, as well as first base, second base, and shortstop…The Wings return home on June 5 to open a 3-game series with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (Yankees).
Links
Rochester Red Wings – redwingsbaseball.com
Videos
Niko Goodrum interview – https://youtu.be/EapL5NQH-s0
Aaron Slegers interview – https://youtu.be/5nYDLSDzpOw
Mike Quade interview – https://youtu.be/zlVbTQl6Fuk