IL Rochester Red Wings

Wings Bury Bisons, 11-6

July 8, 2023 - International League (IL)
Rochester Red Wings News Release


The Rochester Red Wings took down the Buffalo Bisons, 11-6, after a six-run seventh inning and six extra-base lifted the Wings to a win. Rochester collected 14 hits tonight, surpassing the 10-hit mark for the third time in five games this series, now positioning themselves to go for the series win tomorrow afternoon.

The Wings struck first Saturday night, jumping out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. After a single and a double to start off the inning, DH Franmil Reyes drove in 2B Darren Baker on a ground out. Rochester extended their lead in the bottom of the second inning when CF Erick Mejia launched a two-run homer into the right field bullpen to give the Wings a 3-0 advantage. The long ball was Mejia's third extra base hit in the series against the Bisons and extended his hitting streak to five games.

Buffalo responded in the top of the third inning after a three-run home run from SS Otto Lopez knotted the game at 3-3. Rochester quickly retook the lead in the bottom half of the inning on an RBI triple from Reyes, the 21st three-bagger of his career. The Wings tacked on another run when a sacrifice fly out from RF Blake Rutherford plated Reyes to give Rochester a 5-3 lead.

The Bisons added a run back in the top of the fifth inning, cutting the deficit to 5-4 after a solo home run from LF Spencer Horwitz. Both teams would remain scoreless until the bottom of the seventh inning, when Rochester added six runs. First, two-straight RBI doubles from LF Travis Blankenhorn and 1B Matt Adams gave the Wings a 7-4 lead. Rutherford drove in Adams on his second sacrifice fly out to right field, and SS Jeter Downs collected an RBI single to continue the scoring.

The final two runs came on a fielder's choice from Baker and a Bisons error to leave the Wings with an 11-4 lead. Buffalo added back two runs in the top of the ninth inning on a Rochester error, but could only manage the pair, as RHP Tyler Danish closed out the game for the Wings.

RHP Wily Peralta (3-6, 6.62) worked five innings in his start and earned the win, allowing four runs on five hits while striking out five and walking four. RHP Daniel Mengden was the first to relieve Peralta and turned in two scoreless innings of work while allowing a walk and a hit, striking out one. LHP Joe La Sorsa pitched a scoreless inning in his first outing with the Wings since 6/18, and RHP Luis Reyes and RHP Tyler Danish capped off the win, working the final inning while allowing two runs.

CF Erick Mejia earned the Diamond Pro Player of the Game Saturday night after he went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run and two runs scored in the win. After recording just four extra base hits through his first 16 games with the Wings, Mejia has collected three, including two homers, in his last four games.

The Wings finished 1-for-4 on ABS Challenge Saturday night, while the Bisons went 4-for-5.

The Wings will wrap up their six-game series with the Bisons in the final game before the All-Star break tomorrow afternoon. RHP Paolo Espino is slated to start for Rochester, with RHP Casey Lawrence getting the nod for the Bisons. First pitch is set for 1:05 p.m.

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International League Stories from July 8, 2023


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