By CRAIG POTTER
Matt Hague drives in 5 runs in the twinbill sweep as Aaron Slegers hurls a complete second game win.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Rochester Red Wings began their 8-games in 7-days homestand with a sweep of the Charlotte Knights, 5-4 and 3-0, on Monday night before 6,869 fans at Frontier Field.
Hatt Hague was the hitting star of the night as he smacked a 3-run double for the game-winning hit in Game 1, and added a 2-run single for the insurance runs in Game 2.
“Matt Hague had a pretty good night,” said Red Wings manager Mike Quade. “That’s not the first time, he’s been doing that all year for us.”
Aaron Slegers pitched a complete 7-inning shutout in the nightcap to complete the sweep for Rochester. The 6-foot-10, 245-pound right-hander earned his 10th win in 14 decisions as he scattered 5 hits, walked 1, and struck out 4 Charlotte hitters.
“The win-loss record of the starting pitcher doesn’t tell the whole record,” Slegers said. “Credit to the offense for getting run support all year. It’s just fun to pitch when your team wins.”
Slegers threw a first-pitch strike to 19 of the 25 batters he faced.
“I was using my sinker, especially early in the count and the first strikes were huge,” he said. “It’s usually a key to my game plan, and it worked tonight.”
ByungHo Park blasted a solo homer in the second inning as the Red Wings were the visiting team in Game 2 as it was a makeup of a rain-out in April in Charlotte.
Hague tacked on the two insurance runs in the sixth as he singled home Niko Goodrum and Mitch Garver, who reached on a single and 2-base error, respectively.
“Defense continues to be really, really good and was on display in Game 2,” Quade said.
Hague and Slegers combined for the extremely rare 3-1-3 putout in the fifth inning on Danny Hays. He hit the ball that Hague knocked down. It rebounded to Slegers, who was coming off the mound. He flipped the ball to Hague, who had retreated to the bag, in time for the out at first.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen the 3-1-3 out before,” Hague said with a grin. “Lucky bounce I guess.”
In Game 1, the Red Wings trailed 1-0 in the third when they erupted for 5 runs. Edgar Corcino started the rally with a single and Engelb Vielma was safe on an error with one out. J.B. Shuck laced a RBI hit to right. Walks to Garver and Tommy Field force in the second run. Hague doubled down the right field line for the 3 RBI, but got caught in a rundown for the second out of the frame.
David Hurlbut started on the mound for Rochester and pitched 5 innings plus 2 batters. He gave up 4 hits and 3 runs as he walked 1 and struck out 3 batters.
“Hurlbut was good but not great,” Quade said. “He and Slegers had a lot of days off..He was sharp going into the break so you’re not sure how they’ll coming out. He wasn’t as sharp as we’ve seen him in the past. He was plenty good enough against a pretty good lineup.”
Jake Reed came on in relief and was tagged for the fourth run. Michael Tonkin hurled the seventh and picked up his fourth save of the season.
“Jake had a tough night, that happens but the good news is that somebody comes in behind him and cleans up,” said Quade. “Not only do we have some good people there, we’ve got some depth (in the bullpen) so if somebody does have a rough night we usually can find someone to come in behind him and get the job done.”
*NOTES – The Red Wings pitching staff entered play Monday with a league-best 3.27 ERA, despite using a Red Wings-record 35 different pitchers this season…OF Daniel Palka (DL since May 27, left finger) is playing rehab games with the Rookie level Golf Coast League Twins. He fractured the index finger on his left hand in his final at bat in the 11th inning on May 27 and hadn’t played since…The series continues on Tuesday with an 11:05 am game…Rochester (53-41) improved to a season-high 12 games over .500 with the sweep…The Red Wings are 40-9 (.816) when scoring first to lead the International League…Aaron Slegers extended his scoreless string to 17 innings with his outing tonight.
Links
Rochester Red Wings – www.redwingsbaseball.com
Videos
Aaron Slegers interview – https://youtu.be/L78kd_uSPYU
Matt Hague interview — https://youtu.be/j34KsNiXHbo
Mike Quade interview – https://youtu.be/Snr3MvbON5Q