IL1 Rochester Red Wings

Rochester Red Wings Game Notes - Friday, August 17 vs. Indianapolis (Pirates)

Published on August 17, 2012 under International League (IL1)
Rochester Red Wings News Release


FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012 w FRONTIER FIELD

GAME #127 - HOME GAME #64 - 7:05 P.M.

INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS (74-51) at ROCHESTER RED WINGS (64-61)

RHP CHRIS LEROUX (2-0, 1.93) vs. RHP LIAM HENDRIKS (9-2, 1.99)

GOING FOR A SWEEP: The Rochester Red Wings tonight continue their 6-game homestand with the finale of their 4-game series against the best team in the International League, the Indianapolis Indians (Pirates). Rochester won the first 3 games of the set and tomorrow will welcome Empire State (Yankees) for a 2-game series. Then it's back on the road for a quick 2-game trip to Pawtucket (Red Sox) Monday-Tuesday.

NEWS OF THE DAY: The Red Wings and Minnesota Twins today announced a 2-year Player Development Contract extension through the 2014 season. The partnership began in 2003 following the Red Wings' 42-year working agreement with the Baltimore Orioles from 1961-2002 and a 33-year partnership with the St. Louis Cardinals from 1928-60.

a The Red Wings have made one post-season appearance during the first 9 years of the partnership, advancing to the 2006 Governors' Cup against Toledo (Tigers) and losing 3 games to 2. The Twins have won 5 American League Central Division titles in 9 seasons as the parent club of the Red Wings, missing a 6th by one game in 2008.

ROSTER NEWS: The Minnesota Twins today selected the contract of Red Wings outfield Matt Carson, who has joined the parent club in Seattle for the start of its 3-game series at Safeco Field. Carson departs the Red Wings as the team leader with 112 hits, 23 doubles, 49 RBI, 60 runs scored, and 110 games played.

a Including Carson, the Red Wings have sent 21 players to the Twins, including 9 position players and 12 pitchers. Carson is the 3rd outfielder to get a promotion to Minnesota, joining Darin Mastroianni and Ben Revere. Carson last played in the big leagues in 2010 with Oakland.

a To make room for Carson on the 40-man roster, the Twins outrighted outfielder Rene Tosoni, who began the season with the Red Wings and was transferred to Double-A New Britain May 22 after hitting only .167 in 21 games.

THE STRIVE FOR FIVE: At 65-61, the Red Wings are a season-high 4 games above .500, reaching the mark for the first time since May 14, 2009, when they were 18-14 following a 5-4 win vs. Indianapolis. The Red Wings were last 5 games above .500 when they concluded the 2007 season with a 77-67 record.

STAYING HOT: The Red Wings have won 3 in a row, 5 of their last 6, 6 of their last 8, and 13 of their last 18. They are a league-best 28-16 beginning July 1. A look at the Top-5 records since the start of July:

Rank Team Record Win %

1. Rochester 28-16 .636

2. Charlotte 26-17 .605

T3. Columbus 24-19 .558

Empire State 24-19 .558

5. Indianapolis 23-21 .523

a The Red Wings are 45-31 since sitting a season-worst 10 games below .500 at 20-30 on May 28. Going back further, Rochester is 51-38 beginning May 15 for the 4th-best record in the IL in that time.

WINNING WAYS: At 65-61, the Red Wings are off to their best 126-game start since 2007, when they were 69-57. The 2011 and 2010 clubs were both 32 games under .500 at 47-79 at this point in the last 2 seasons. The Red Wings in 2012 are looking for their first winning season since the 2008 club went 74-70. Rochester needs to win 8 of its final 18 games to finish above .500.

THE TIME HAD COME: By winning the first 3 games of this series, the Red Wings clinched their first series win against Indianapolis since taking 3 of 4 August 8-11, 2008 at Frontier Field. A victory tonight would give the Red Wings their first series sweep against the Indians since a 4-gamer April 25-28, 2002 along Morrie Silver Way.

a A victory tonight would also give Rochester its first season series win against Indianapolis since 2008, when it went 5-3.

a The Red Wings are a combined 24-7 against teams from the IL West Division, going 4-3 against Indianapolis, 6-2 against Columbus (Indians), 6-2 against Louisville (Reds), and 8-0 against Toledo.

LONG DIVISION: The Red Wings tomorrow begin a stretch of playing their final 17 games against teams within the IL North Division. Rochester is just 25-38 against its division rivals, including a 4-8 mark since the All-Star Break. The Wings have a losing record against each of the 5 other teams, including a 3-10 mark against Syracuse (Nationals).

a The Red Wings are just 3.5 games out of the IL Wild Card spot, but they trail 2 teams within the IL North: Pawtucket (69-58) and Lehigh Valley (68-59). Rochester has 2 games remaining with Pawtucket and 3 left against Lehigh Valley next Wednesday-Friday.

PITCHING IN: The Red Wings pitching staff has a 2.00 ERA (12 ER/54.0 IP) in the last 6 games and enters tonight ranked 6th in the IL with a 3.96 ERA overall. Rochester starters have a 2.04 ERA (8 ER/35.1 IP) in that same time. They have allowed only one run in 16.1 innings thus far in the 4-game series with Indy.

a The Red Wings finished last in the IL in ERA in both of the last 2 years and 2nd-to-last in 2010.

WHAT A RELIEF: The Red Wings bullpen features 3 pitchers with noteworthy consecutive scoreless innings streaks: Bobby Lanigan at 9.1 (4-plus games), Luis Perdomo at 14.1 (7-plus games), and Caleb Thielbar at 8.2 (5 games).

a The Red Wings' longest current consecutive scoreless innings streak is 17.2 by Esmerling Vasquez, the first 11.2 of which came as a reliever.

a The Red Wings' longest consecutive scoreless innings streak of the season is 23.2 by Liam Hendriks from June 4-July 13.

IT'S TURPEN TIME!!: Righthander Daniel Turpen today celebrates his 26th birthday. He shares his special day with Dustin Pedroia, Jorge Posada, Boog Powell. On the day he was born in 1986, Hall of Famer Barry Larkin hit his first career home run while Pete Rose played in his final major league game.

UPCOMING SCHEDULE

0 Opponent Time Probable A0 TV/Radio

Saturday, August 18 vs. Empire State 7:05 p.m. LHP Mike O'Connor (2-6, 3.64) vs. RHP Shairon Martis (2-2, A0 WHTK 1280 AM

Sunday, August 19 vs. Empire State 6:05 p.m. RHP John Maine (5-5, 6.53) vs. RHP P.J. Walters (3-1, A0 WHTK 1280 AM

Monday, August 20 at Pawtucket 7:05 p.m. RHP Esmerling Vasquez (8-5, 2.85) vs. RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka (0-3, 3.68) WHTK 1280 AM

Tuesday, August 21 at Pawtucket 7:05 p.m. LHP Pedro Hernandez (1-1, 4.50) vs. RHP Nelson Figueroa (10-4, 3.87) WHTK 1280 AM

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International League Stories from August 17, 2012


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