Bryon Buxton hits his 8th career leadoff homer in 5-3 victory over the Bats.
LOUISVILLE, KY. — Byron Buxton sparked a 3-run 1st inning with his eighth career leadoff homer for Rochester and the Red Wings beat the Louisville Bats 5-3 Friday night at Louisville Slugger Field.
Buxton, who was reinstated from the disabled list earlier in the day, hit the second pitch of the game for his third home run of the season with the Red Wings (46-55). Andy Wilkins made it 3-0 with a two-out, two-run single after three straight walks loaded the bases.
Nick Anderson started as the opener for the first time in his professional career and worked a 1-2-3 inning for the Wings. Zack Littell (2-4) pitched well in relief after a rough 2nd inning. He allowed 2 runs on 3 hits and 4 walks with 6 strikeouts over 5.0 innings. All 3 hits and both runs scored in the 2nd frame as the Bats (44-57) cut their deficit to 3-2.
Willians Astudillo extended the Rochester advantage with a two-out RBI single in the 5th and Nick Gordon produced a run in the 6th to make it 5-2.
Rehabbing Addison Reed made his Red Wings debut in the 7th inning. Blake Trahan doubled to open the inning but a catcher interference prolonged the frame and allowed Louisville to cut the Rochester lead to 5-3. Reed would strand the tying runs in scoring position to end the threat.
Jake Reed made quick work in the 8th and 9th innings, tossing 2.0 perfect innings with three strikeouts on just 18 total pitches to earn his first save of the season.
The Red Wings and Bats continue the 3-game set Saturday night in Louisville at 6:30 pm.
*NOTES — In roster moves Friday, RHP Addison Reed begins MLB rehab assignment from the Minnesota Twins. Reed, who signed a 2-year deal with Minnesota in January, was placed on the disabled list with right triceps tightness on July 11; OF Byron Buxton was reinstated from the disabled list; and C Juan Graterol was placed on the disabled list with a right wrist contusion…Entering tonight’s game, Rochester is 67-for-the-last-388 (.173 average) with runners in scoring position since the 8th inning on June 2 in Norfolk. The Red Wings are batting .201 with RISP and .187 with RISP and two outs this season…Rochester has dropped to third in the International League with a 3.42 ERA after surrendering 41 earned runs in the 8 games on the last homestand. Lehigh Valley paces the league with a 3.36 team ERA and Durham is second with a 3.40 mark. The Red Wings had a league-best 3.28 ERA on June 26 but have pitched to 3.87 mark in July.