By Craig Potter
John Ryan Murphy delivers the bases-loaded, game-winning hit to beat the Chiefs, 4-3.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — For those fans who sat through a 96-minute weather delay, but left with the Rochester Red Wings trailing the Syracuse Chiefs, 3-1, missed an exciting finish.
John Ryan Murphy delivered the bases-loaded, game-winning hit to score Adam Brett Walker with the decisive run in the 4-3 victory on Wednesday night before 6,333 fans at Frontier Field.
“Murf has been doing a great job so good for him to get that game-winner,” said Red Wings manager Mike Quade.
Walker smacked a double to the Bermuda Triangle that plated James Beresford and pinch-runner Tommy Field with the tying runs.
“I hit it pretty well and started hoping it would hook a little bit,” Walker said with a smile. “It hit the corner, ended up winning, that’s all that matters.”
Field ran for Kennys Vargas who notched his third single in the ninth to put runners on first and third with none out. Walker’s double then knotted the game.
“You know its got distance but that crazy Bermuda Triangle out there and you’re trying to lean left and hope it gets the bullpen,” said Quade with a smile.
Daniel Palka drew a walk and Mitch Garver singled to load the bases for Murphy.
“After getting two hits for eight innings, and to put that kind of an inning together with no body out was good,” Quade said. “
Rookie reliever Alan Busenitz (1-0), who was acquired on Aug. 1 in a trade with the Los Angeles Angels, made his Red Wings debut and pitched the ninth, retiring the side in order.
Rochester starting pitcher Jose Berrios registered a career-high 14 strikeouts over 8 innings.
“I don’t think about that,” Berrios said. “I just go out there and compete, win the game. I leave the game down 3-1, but the team comeback.”
Berrios was tagged for two home runs, which accounted for the Chiefs’ 3 markers. He attributed his command of his three pitches for the effectiveness in getting the career-high strikeouts.
“Berrios was real good,” said Quade. “A couple of mistakes with fastballs, but he pitched extremely well.
Rochester center fielder Byron Buxton was taken out of the game after the fifth inning as Buxton was recalled by the Minnesota Twins.
“When something happens like that in the middle of a game, you don’t ask any questions,” Quade said. “I would say no that it’s a Sept. 1 thing. I’ve got to believe that something happened.”
Walker played center field in his place for the first time in his pro career, and the first time since high school ball.
Chili native and Aquinas graduate Chris Bostick played second base for Syracuse and went 0-for-3 at the plate. He was robbed of a hit by second baseman Beresford, who made a diving catch of a liner up the middle in the fifth inning.
Crucial series
The final 5 games of the regular season begins Thursday night when the Red Wings play host to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, who currently hold the International League Wild Card berth by 3.5 games over Rochester.
The Wings must sweep the 5-game series (2 here and the final 3 in Allentown, PA. Over the Labor Day weekend) in order to leapfrog the IronPigs into the playoffs.
“I knew Lehigh already won,” Quade said. “You hope you can make up a game and have a little room for error in a 5-game series. We’re going to have to sweep them.”
Quade added that he was preparing the pitching for the Lehigh Valley series by giving new hurler Alan Busenitz an inning of work, which is why he did not send Berrios out for the ninth.
“We’re loaded for bear, at least to start that series,” Quade said.
Rochester is 4-9 thus far this season against Lehigh Valley.
Hurlbut injury update
Pitcher David Hurlbut, who sustained a groin injury in Tuesday night’s game and was pulled out, was very sore on Wednesday, according to Quade.
“A groin is a tough thing to recover from quickly,” Quade said. “Like all of us, that will be day-to-day.”
Ticket Exchange
The Rochester Red Wing home game on Wednesday, Aug. 31 against Syracuse was delayed at the start due to the threat of rain in the forecast. Fans with tickets for Wednesday’s game can exchange them for the two remaining home games in 2016 (Thursday, September 1 and Friday, September 2) OR those tickets can be exchanged for any home game in April or May, 2017, excluding Opening Day 2017.
All ticket exchanges must be made at the Frontier Field Ticket Office. Please note that these exchanges do not have to be made immediately; fans with tickets for the Aug. 31 game can exchange them throughout the remainder of the 2016 season or in April/May 2017.
For more information regarding the exchange policy, call (585) 423-WING (9464).
The remaining home dates and corresponding promotions in 2016 are:
Sept 1 vs. Lehigh Valley (Philadelphia) at 7:05: PJ Forbes bobblehead
Sept 2 vs. Lehigh Valley (Philadelphia) at 7:05: FINAL GAME! Fireworks/ZOOperstars! appearance/Byron Buxton poster/2017 magnet schedule
Links
Rochester Red Wings – redwingsbaseball.com
Videos
Jose Berrios interview – https://youtu.be/L5EPuZom3jY
Adam Brett Walker interview – https://youtu.be/aPZaI70VpzI
Manager Mike Quade interview – https://youtu.be/NlHhDW3xGbA