Vargas Slam Powers Wings
June 15, 2016 - International League (IL1)
Rochester Red Wings News Release
Kennys Vargas had three hits, including a third inning grand slam, leading the first place Red Wings to a 4-1 win over the Columbus Clippers Wednesday night at Frontier Field.
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Red Wings starter Andrew Albers allowed a single but retired every other batter he faced over the first two innings, striking out two. The second strikeout, of Joey Butler for the third out of the second inning, came in a 12-pitch at-bat.
After setting down the Wings in order in the bottom of the first, Clippers starter Will Roberts walked a pair in the second inning to give the Wings runners at first and second with two out. A passed ball advanced the runners to second and third, but Roberts retired Buck Britton for the third out with help from a fine defensive play by first baseman Jesus Aguilar.
Albers started his third inning of work by recording his third consecutive punchout, all of them looking. He did allow a two-out double off the bottom of the wall in right center, but was able to work around it, keeping the game scoreless.
The Wings started their half of the third with their third walk of the night, that was followed up by a rocket single into right from Danny Santana. This set up Rochester with first and second with no outs in the inning. James Beresford kept it going by lining a ball into left field to load the bases with still no one out in the inning. Vargas then launched a bomb off the roof of The Nest picnic pavilion in right field for a grand slam that gave the Wings a 4-0 lead. This was Vargas' ninth homer of the season, and second with the bases loaded. Eddie Rosario then ripped a single into center, but he was thrown out trying to steal second. The hits just kept on coming for Rochester in the inning, as Logan Schafer grounded a single of his own into left field. Another walk from Roberts saw his evening end.
Roberts (5-4) finished his start pitching just 2.2 innings allowing five hits, four earned runs, four walks while striking out one batter. He threw 65 pitches and 31 of them were for strikes. Kyle Crockett came in and replaced Roberts.
Albers worked his way into some trouble in the top half of the fifth inning, with two outs there were runners on second and third. Erik Gonzalez grounded a ball into the hole between short and third, Tommy Field came very close to making an incredible play with his throw to first, but Gonzalez was called safe. On the same play, Columbus scored their first run of the game as Collin Cowgill scored on the infield single making the score 4-1. Albers was able to then work out of the first and third jam by punching out his fourth batter of the night.
RHP Josh Martin took over for the Clippers in the bottom of the fifth. He gave up a single to Vargas, but was able to work a scoreless frame after the defense played Schafer perfectly with the shortstop behind the second base bag.
The top half of the sixth began with Albers giving up back-to-back singles, which allowed Columbus to bring the tying run to the plate. Albers then got a line-out to Vargas at first that was nearly a double play, but another walk was the end of the line for Albers in the sixth inning. He was replaced by Sean Burnett. Burnett worked out of the bases loaded jam in short order. He struck out the first batter he faced with three pitches, and then the second batter he faced lifted a lazy flyball to center to end the inning and keep the score at 4-1.
Albers (5-1) finished his night with a line of 5.1 innings pitched allowing eight hits, one earned run, one walk and he struck out four. He threw 96 pitches and 71 of them were for strikes.
Field led off the sixth inning for the Wings and he clubbed a double down the line in left. Britton then did his job by advancing the runner to third base with just one out, giving Rochester another great chance to extend their lead. The Wings were unable to capitalize as they stranded Field at third base, leaving the score 4-1.
Looking for an insurance run in the seventh, Vargas lined a double into the corner in right field, this was his third hit of the night. Rosario followed that up with a base knock of his own but Vargas was gunned at home by a great throw from left to end the inning, and keep the score 4-1.
Burnett provided 1.2 innings of perfect relief with a pair of strikeouts, and Alex Wimmers set down all six batters he faced - including a strikeout of Collin Cowgill to end the game. Wimmers picked up his fifth save.
NOTES: Coming into Wednesday night's game, Wings players among the league leaders included Logan Darnell (T-1st wins, T-1st complete games, 1st-shutouts), Jason Wheeler (T-5th ERA), James Beresford (2nd-runs scored), Adam Brett Walker (T-1st homers), and Kennys Vargas (1st-walks).
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