IL Rochester Red Wings

Plates Drop Extra-Inning Pitchers' Duel to RailRiders

Published on August 31, 2023 under International League (IL)
Rochester Red Wings News Release


The Rochester Plates fell in the third of their six-game series against Scranton/WB Wednesday night, 4-1 in 10 innings. RHP Cory Abbott logged eight strikeouts for the third time this season, while RF Blake Rutherford extended his hitting streak to a team-leading 13 games. Both teams were held scoreless through the first nine innings for the first time since Rochester lost to Syracuse in 10 innings on 8/6/2021.

3B Jeter Downs laced a single and stole his ninth base of the season with two outs in the second, but was unable to cross the plate after a strikeout ended the inning. Both teams were held off the board, going 2-for-16 with runners in scoring position through the first nine innings of the game.

Blake Rutherford doubled to lead off the bottom of the 9th and moved to third after a failed pick-off attempt by Scranton/WB C Carlos Narvaez clanked off the Red Wings outfielders foot diving back in. The Plates would go on to strand Rutherford at third, not able to push across the would-be game-winner.

With one out in the top of the 10th, Scranton/WB 1B Andres Chapparo drove a ground ball up the middle that careened off the second base bag into center field, allowing Narvaez to come around to score and break the 0-0 tie. 3B Jamie Westbrook would then reach on catcher's interference the following at-bat and DH Jake Lamb brought him home with a double to make the score 2-0. SS Wilmer Difo drove in two more with a double of his own to extend the lead to four heading to the bottom of the inning. The former National then came on to pitch in the bottom of the 10th, which was his fifth appearance of the season.

Rochester was able to push a run across for the 118th consecutive game thanks to a sacrifice fly from 2B Luis García that scored extra-inning runner SS Richie Martin. The Plates were unable to complete the comeback, falling 4-1.

Cory Abbott made his 11th start with the Plates Thursday night, logging his third outing with eight or more strikeouts. He logged 4.0 scoreless innings on two hits with eight punch outs, before giving the ball to rehabbing Big Leaguer RHP Tanner Rainey. The right-hander logged 0.2 innings on one hit in his second Rehab appearance. RHP Tommy Romero, LHP Tim Cate and RHP Luis Reyes held the RailRiders scoreless over the next 3.1 innings, combining to allow just one hit. RHP Gerson Moreno followed with a scoreless inning of his own in the ninth, and RHP Daniel Mengden allowed two earned on three hits in the 10th.

Thursday night's Diamond Pro Player of the Game goes to RHP Cory Abbott. The San Diego native allowed just two hits in 4.0 scoreless innings while striking out eight. His strikeouts per nine innings now stands at 11.6, the most by a Rochester starter (min. 45.0 IP) since Nik Turley in 2017 (11.68).

Rochester looks to get back in the win column Friday night, sending RHP Jackson Rutledge to the mound against RailRiders RHP Will Warren. First pitch is scheduled for 6:45 p.m.

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International League Stories from August 31, 2023


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