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Downs Delivers Clutch Home Run in 6-5 Extra-Inning Win

June 29, 2022 - International League (IL)
Worcester Red Sox News Release


ROCHESTER, NY - Jeter Downs broke a 4-4 tie with a two-run homer in the top of the 10th inning to lead the Worcester Red Sox to a 6-5 win over the Rochester Red Wings on Wednesday night.

The win was Worcester's eighth in the last nine games, and moves the WooSox to within 2.5 games of Buffalo for first place in the East Division.

With one out in the top of the 10th, Downs blasted a no-doubt two-run shot over the bullpen in left field for his 12th longball of the season.

Rochester got a run back in the bottom half, but Zack Kelly secured the final six outs of the ballgame to earn his third win of the season.

The WooSox had a 4-3 edge heading into the ninth with the help of a run-scoring wild pitch, two bases-loaded walks, and a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch, but Rochester forced extras with a game-tying double from Donovan Casey.

Downs used his speed to start the scoring in the second inning. After a leadoff hit-by-pitch, he stole second base and moved to third on a groundout. A few pitches later, he scampered home on a wild pitch from Nationals top prospect Cade Cavalli (L, 3-4).

Rochester answered back with two runs in the third inning to take a 2-1 lead. The Red Wings loaded the bases on two walks and a hit batter, and brought home the go-ahead runs with a sacrifice fly by Joey Meneses and an infield single from Josh Palacios.

Worcester retook the lead in a forgettable fourth inning for Red Wings pitching. Ronaldo Hernandez and Pedro Castellanos sparked a three-run rally with singles, and two bases-loaded walks plus a hit batter forced home three runs, with RBIs credited to Grant Williams, Devlin Granberg, and Ryan Fitzgerald to push the WooSox in front, 4-2.

The Red Wings threatened in the eighth, closing the gap to 4-3 with two singles and a run-scoring groundout, but Frank German induced a 5-4-3 double play to strand the tying run.

German, Phillips Valdez, and Geoff Hartlieb all tossed two scoreless innings apiece.

The WooSox continue their six-game series with the Red Wings tomorrow afternoon at Frontier Field. Radio coverage begins at 12:45 p.m. on 98.9 Nash Icon and throughout the WooSox Radio Network.

The WooSox return home to Polar Park to start a six-game homestand on Monday, July 4, featuring a spectacular UniBank Fireworks show.

Tickets are available now at WooSox.com/tickets.

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