Rochester crushes Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, 7-1, while Lehigh Valley loses to Buffalo.
The Rochester Red Wings moved to within 3.5 games of an International League playoff berth following a 7-1 victory over North Division leader Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday night in Moosic, PA.
Rochester (75-59) scored the game’s first run with four straight hits in the second. Wilfredo Tovar scored Adam Brett Walker from third on a soft, infield hit up the third base line.
The Red Wings erupted for 5 runs in the fourth. Byron Buxton mashed a three-run homer to left, highlighting the frame for Rochester.
Leonardo Reginatto capped the scoring by plating Tovar with a double to right in the eighth.
Lehigh Valley (78-55) lost 4-3 to Buffalo at Coca Cola Park on Friday night. Rochester has 10 games remaining in the regular season, with the final 5 games against the IronPigs, 2 in Rochester and the last 3 in Allentown, PA.
SWB is one win away from clinching the North Division championship.
The RailRiders seek a 2-game split with the Wings on Saturday at PNC Field. SWB left-hander Phil Coke (4-3, 3.20) faces southpaw Nick Greenwood (5-3, 3.17) with a start time of 7:05 p.m.
In roster moves on Friday, Rochester LHP Andrew Albers was recalled by the Minnesota Twins, and RHP Alex Wimmers had his contract selected by Minnesota.