IL1 Rochester Red Wings

D-Mac Powers Wings to Win

Published on August 10, 2007 under International League (IL1)
Rochester Red Wings News Release


Darnell McDonald drilled a clutch eighth inning single, his third hit of the game, leading the Red Wings to a 7-6 win over the first place Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees Friday night at Frontier Field. The win moves Rochester to within three games of the top spot in the International League North Division.

With one out in the eighth, Denard Span worked Sean Henn for a walk, and Matt Tolbert put down a perfect bunt single to put runners at first and second. Edwar Ramirez came out of the Scranton bullpen to face McDonald, who smoked a 2-0 pitch to left field. Span sped home to put the Wings up 7-6.

Friday's game matched up Rochester pitcher Dave Gassner, who received the win in his last start against the Yankees July 30, against Scranton/Wilkes Barre pitcher Matt DeSalvo, who lost against Rochester on July 31. The Yankees struck first as Gassner walked the lead-off batter, Brett Gardner, then allowed a base hit from Kevin Thompson. Both runners then moved into scoring position off a wild pitch. Gardner was brought home when Angel Chavez grounded-out on an amazing diving backhand stop by second baseman Tolbert, to hold Chavez to only one RBI. The Yankees scored again when Gassner gave up a single to Kevin Reese, which was followed by another base hit by Alberto Gonzalez. The inning ended with a fly ball to right field, to give the Yankees an early 2-0 lead.

Tolbert singled to increase his hitting streak to six games, gave the Wings their first hit of the night after Span grounded out to start the game. The Wings did not reach base again until! the third when DeSalvo walked Gil Velazquez, who was thrown out at second on a fielder's choice by Span. Span was stranded on first as Tolbert grounded out for the third out.

The Wings outfield was busy, making five of the six putouts in the third and fourth innings.

The Wings got on the scorboard in the fifth. McDonald started the inning with a base hit to center field, and made a great hustling play moving to third when Garrett Jones grounded out. Lew Ford then plated McDonald when he grounded out. With two outs, the Wings were placed in scoring position again as DeSalvo walked Jose Morales, who advanced to thrid on a single by Glenn Williams. Both runners were stranded on base as Luis Ugueto, making his Frontier Field debut, struck out to end the inning.

Velazquez started the fifth inning with a base hit to center field. He then advanced to second off of a sacrifice play by Span, who reached first safely when first baseman, Eric Duncan, was slightly off the base for the tag. On a sacrifice play by the Wings to move Velazquez to third, Tolbert bunted, but DeSalvo's throwing error brought Velazquez home for the tying run. The Wings then took the lead when McDonald hit a single, bringing home Span. Tolbert followed with a run on a fielder's choice sacrifice play by Jones. The Yankees tried to convert it into a double play, but the first baseman was off the base and Jones reached first safely. With one out, Ford slammed a ball to centerfield for a double. With two runners in scoring position, DeSalvo walked Morales to load the bases. Williams followed with a fly ball to the warning track to bring in another run. The inning ended when Ugueto grounded out, giving the Wings the 5-2 lead.

The Yankees took the lead back in! the sixth. Gassner started the inning by striking out the first batter. He then allowed a base hit from Reese, who was brought home off a double by Gonzalez. This run caused manager Stan Cliburn to call in Julio DePaula to relieve Gassner. DePaula gave up two more runs to tie the game, before striking out Raul Chavez for the second out. The Yankees scored the lead run when DePaula balked by stepping back off the pitching rubber with his left foot. The inning ended with a ground out giving a 6-5 lead back to the Yankees.

The Wings were given a chance to tie the game in their half of the sixth as Span hit a barely fair line drive to right field for a triple, with one out. He was left on third as the Yankees defense was able to get the next two Rochester batters out, holding onto the lead.

With Henn in to pitch for Scranton, the Wings tied things up in the seventh. Ford singled, and scurried to third on a hit by Morales. Williams delivered a sacrifice fly to right field that brought in Ford to make it 6-6.

Bobby Korecky came in to pitch for the Wings in the eighth. He started by striking out the first batter, then allowed a base hit. He helped the Wings to the final two outs as he threw out R. Chavez at first and struck out the final batter.

With the Wings in the lead going into the ninth, Korecky sealed the win by striking out the first two batters. Chavez grounded out on a 2-2 pitch to end the game, giving Korecky the win and Henn the loss.

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International League Stories from August 10, 2007


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