Division-leading Rochester maintains a 2 1/2 game lead over the Bisons.
By Nick Grasso / Rochester Red Wings
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The Rochester Red Wings and Buffalo Bisons split their Saturday twinbill at Frontier Field. The Wings took game one, 5-1, behind a complete-game from Cade Cavalli before losing 13-0 in the nightcap.
GAME 1
In the first game of Saturday’s doubleheader, RHP Cade Cavalli registered his second straight quality start, striking out ten batters while giving up just one run in seven innings pitched. The Wings are 7-0 in quality starts this season and have registered six quality starts in their last 10 performances after having only one in their first 42 games. Cavalli’s ten strikeouts was the most since Devin Smeltzer had 10 on June 16, 2019, and his seven innings complete game is the first since Dietrick Enns’ in April 2018.
Rochester scored four runs in the fourth inning thanks to an RBI from C Taylor Gushue, SS Ildemar Vargas.
Following Monday’s loss to Buffalo, DH Joey Meneses was 3-28 against the Bisons on the year. After today’s multi-hit performance, he is now 6-10 with a walk off, a homerun, and two RBI over his last three games versus Buffalo.
RF Josh Palacios added to the offense in the fifth, grounding into a force out that sent Andrew Stevenson home and gave the Wings a 5-1 lead, and the game one win.
GAME 2
Rochester was shutout in game two as the Bisons cruised to a 13-0 victory that gave each team a win on the day. Tonight’s shutout was the first suffered by the Wings since opening day.
Buffalo’s Nathan Lukes hit an ultra-rare inside-the-park grand slam that put the Bisons up 4-0 in the fourth. The Wings allowed four more runs in the fifth inning after giving up a pair of doubles to Stevie Berman and Eric Stamets.
Buffalo scored two runs in the sixth and three in the seventh to secure the win.
After allowing eight runs in 4 2/3 innings, Wings starting RHP Logan Verrett was relieved by RHP Matt Brill.
Cole Freeman registered Rochester’s only hit of the day as the Wings suffered their first one hit game of the season in tonight’s loss.
The Wings remain in sole possession of first place in the International League East, staying +2.5 games ahead of second place Buffalo.
The final game of this series will take place on Sunday at 1:05 p.m. with RHP Cole Henry starting on the mound for Rochester.