Red Wings nip SkyChiefs

by Ed Gonser
July 4, 2002 - International League (IL1)

Syracuse--Mike Hubbard homered to tie the game and then scored the game winner in the ninth for the Rochester Red Wings in a 4-3 win over the Syracuse SkyChiefs Thursday evening.

The SkyChiefs didn't see the rockets red glare after the game but the red glare from the eyes of 5,150 fans at P&C Stadium watched as their hometown heroes took the gaspipe for the sixth straight game. It's the third time this season that the SkyChiefs have dropped six straight. It is also the 19th time in 29 games that Syracuse has lost a one-run ballgame.

Hubbard crushed the first pitch thrown by Syracuse reliever Scott Winchester in the seventh inning beyond the bullpens in left field to tie the game at three.

In the ninth, Hubbard led off the inning with a double down the left field line and scored the game winner on a sacrifice fly by Mike Moriarty.

Hubbard's tape-measure blast was estimated at well over 400 feet. Hubbard has hit safely in 10 straight games.

Moriarty was 3-3 (two singles and a double), two RBIs and scored once.

Rochester jumped out to a two-run lead with a pair in the second inning. Darnell McDonald doubled down the rightfield line and scored on Moriarty's double to right. Moriarty scored on a single by Howie Clark.

Syracuse tied the game and went ahead with three runs in the fourth. Orlando Hudson singled to center, stole second and scored on Jayson Werth's single to left. Kevin Cash stepped to the plate and drilled a one-out, two-run homer to right field.

Rochester (39-47) continues to string the wins together with its fourth in a row while Syracuse (39-49) lost its sixth straight for the third time this season.

Lee Marshall (3-3) earned the win in relief for the Red Wings. Rafael Pina had the save.

Chris Cumberland (0-1) gave up the double to Hubbard in the ninth and took the loss for the SkyChiefs.

On a positive note keeping SkyChiefs manager Omar Malave from jumping in front of traffic on I-81 is that Orlando Hudson and Glen Williams continue to hit the ball well. Hudson and Williams had a hit in the game extending their streaks with at least one hit to 10 games.

The teams play a doubleheader today at P&C Stadium beginning at 5pm.

International League Stories from July 4, 2002

• Red Wings nip SkyChiefs - OSC Original by Ed Gonser
• Bulls Beat Knights 4-3 in 12 Innings - Charlotte Knights
• IL News & Notes - IL1
• Alcantara Named Indians Player of the Month - Indianapolis Indians
• Fourth of July Sold Out - Indianapolis Indians

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