IL Rochester Red Wings

Kieboom Homers, Wings Pick up Win in Extras

Published on August 16, 2023 under International League (IL)
Rochester Red Wings News Release


The Rochester Red Wings kicked off the series with an 11-inning win at Sahlen Field Wednesday afternoon after a Tuesday night rainout, beating the Bisons 5-4. This marked the first series-opening win on the road against the Bisons since 5/11/2021. 3B Carter Kieboom homered for the fifth time this season, part of a three-run sixth inning. RF Travis Blankenhorn collected three hits to extend his hitting streak to 10 games, while six Wings relievers combined to allow just one earned from the fourth inning on.

After going scoreless in the first two frames, Buffalo 1B Spencer Hortwitz drew a walk to lead off the bottom of the third. Rehabbing Big Leaguer DH Bo Bichette followed suit with a single through the right side to put runners at the corners with no one out for Rochester native 3B Ernie Clement. The Brighton product delivered a two-run double to give the Bisons an early 2-0 lead, his fifth extra-base hit through seven games in August while extending his 10-game hitting streak. RHP Roddery Muñoz escaped the inning without further damage, capped off by a sliding catch by CF Jack Dunn that saved a pair of runs.

Pitching held both teams off the board for the next three innings until the top of the sixth, when the Wings put their first runner into scoring position via a SS Richie Martin double. After LF Darren Baker reached base on an error to put runners on the corners, 2B Luis García cut the lead to 2-1 on a sacrifice fly. A batter later, 3B Carter Kieboom launched his fifth home run of the year, a two-run shot to give the Wings a 3-2 lead. The homer also extended his on-base streak to a team-leading 14 games.

The Bisons threatened in the bottom of the inning when CF Cam Eden led off with a single, followed by his 45th stolen base of the season. After moving to third base on a ground out, he was thrown out at the plate by Carter Kieboom on a ground ball down the third-base line. Buffalo went just 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position through the first six innings, and the Wings preserved a 3-2 lead heading into the seventh.

SS Orelvis Martinez tied the game up an inning later with one out in the seventh, when he launched a solo home run that traveled 455 feet and tied the game at three runs apiece. Neither team could pull ahead through the first nine full innings, and the Wings headed to extras for the 14th time this season.

A ground out moved PR Jordy Barley to third base, and a walk to Richie Martin set up a Darren Baker fielder's choice to give the Wings a 4-3 lead to kick off extra innings. After allowing the first batter to reach on a hit-by-pitch in the bottom half, RHP Gerson Moreno set down the next two batters before allowing a single to Spencer Horwitz that tied the game at 4-4.

Travis Blankenhorn picked up his third hit of the afternoon with one out in the 11th, moving runners to the corners. A wild pitch in the ensuing at-bat scored Luis García, giving the Wings a 5-4 lead heading to the home half of the frame. RHP Hobie Harris set the Bisons down in order to pick up the win and preserve a series-opening victory for the Wings.

Wednesday's Diamond Pro Player of the Game goes to LF Travis Blankenhorn. The lefty picked up three hits in the contest, going 3-for-5 to extend his hitting streak to a team-high 10 games. Through 11 games in August, he's hitting .419 (18-for-43) with six home runs, five doubles, and 14 RBI.

RHP Roddery Muñoz made the start on the mound this afternoon, his fourth with the Wings this season. The right-hander worked 3.0 innings, allowing two earned on three hits while striking out two and walking four. RHP Amos Willingham came in first out of the bullpen and turned in 2.0 scoreless innings on three hits while striking out three and walking one. This marked his fourth-straight scoreless appearance with the Wings dating back to 6/23 (7.1 IP). LHP Anthony Banda, RHP Luis Reyes, LHP Tim Cate, and RHP Gerson Moreno combined to allow just one earned over 6.0 innings pitched before handing the ball to RHP Hobie Harris (3-2, 6.19) in the 11th. The right-hander set down the Bisons in order to pick up his third win of the season.

The two teams are back in action tomorrow night at Sahlen Field, as the Wings look to win the first two games of a series since 6/13-15 against Scranton/WB. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.

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International League Stories from August 16, 2023


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