Wings Drop Season Opener in Extras 8-7: Powered by Caktus AI
March 31, 2023 - International League (IL)
Rochester Red Wings News Release
The Rochester Red Wings fell to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs by a score of 8-7 on Opening Day, dropping a closely contested game that went into extra innings. RHP Joan Adon was given the honors of being the Opening Day starter for Rochester, making him just the second Dominican-born pitcher to get the Opening Day nod in franchise history (last: Nerio Rodriguez in 1998).
The Red Wings kicked off the Opening Day celebration with a three-run second inning at Innovative Field, highlighted by RBI hits from RF Stone Garrett, 1B Travis Blankenhorn, and RF Yadiel Hernandez. The IronPigs responded with their own three-run inning in the fifth with a three-run home run by CF Scott Kingery.
The game remained tied at 3-3 until the seventh inning when the IronPigs scored two runs to take the lead. The Red Wings answered back with a three-run seventh inning to take a 6-5 lead. The IronPigs tied the game in the top of the ninth inning on a solo home run by Aramis Garcia, sending the game into extra innings.
In the top of the tenth inning, the IronPigs took the lead again with a two-run home run by DH Vimael Machin. The Red Wings fought back with a run in the bottom of the tenth, but fell just short, as the IronPigs held on for the 8-7 win.
Despite the loss, the Red Wings had a strong offensive performance, recording 12 hits in the game. RF Stone Garrett and CF Cody Wilson led the Wings offense recording three hits apiece. RHP Joan Adon logged four scoreless innings before running into trouble in the fifth inning. RHP Jesus Liranzo would subsequently take the loss for the Red Wings, while McKinley Moore earned the win for the IronPigs.
The Wings have now dropped six consecutive home openers, dating back to 2017.
The Red Wings will look to bounce back tomorrow in the second game of the series against the IronPigs sending Triple-A newcomer, RHP Jake Irvin, to the mound to face off against Lehigh Valley's RHP T.J. Zeuch. Zeuch, as a member of the Buffalo Bisons, no-hit the Red Wings on August 19, 2019 at then-Frontier Field.
Right-fielder Stone Garrett has been named The Diamond Pro Player of the Game thanks to his strong day at the plate.
• Discuss this story on the International League message board...
International League Stories from March 31, 2023
- Shewmake's Walk-Off Blast Sends Stripers to Opening Night Win - Gwinnett Stripers
- Tides Top Bulls 6-4 - Durham Bulls
- Garcia and Taylor Each Drive in Three Runs in Opening Day Victory - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Shewmake's Walk-Off Blast Sends Stripers to Opening Night Win - Gwinnett Stripers
- Knights Drop Friday's Home Opener to Redbirds, 9-1 - Charlotte Knights
- Five-Run First Not Enough in Opening Night Loss - Indianapolis Indians
- RailRiders Edge Bisons, 2-1 - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Five-Run First Not Enough in Opening Night Loss - Indianapolis Indians
- Norfolk Takes Game One of 2023 at Durham - Norfolk Tides
- Gwinnett Walk-Off Ruins Jacksonville's Season Opener - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Bisons Lose Season Opener Against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre - Buffalo Bisons
- Tides Record Six Two-Out RBI For First Win of Season - Norfolk Tides
- Wings Drop Season Opener in Extras 8-7: Powered by Caktus AI - Rochester Red Wings
- Missed Opportunities Doom Mets in Rain-Soaked Opening Day Loss at Worcester - Syracuse Mets
- WooSox Open 2023 with 11-2 Win Over Syracuse - Worcester Red Sox
- Iapoce Victorious in Managerial Debut - Toledo Mud Hens
- Saints' Ninth Inning Rally Falls Short in 7-4 Loss to Mud Hens - St. Paul Saints
- 3.31.23 Game Information: Omaha Storm Chasers (0-0) vs. Indianapolis Indians (0-0) - Indianapolis Indians
- Sounds Release Tentative Opening Day Roster - Nashville Sounds
- March 31 Game Notes: Iowa Cubs vs. Columbus Clippers - Iowa Cubs
- 2023 Opening Knight Roster Revealed - Charlotte Knights
- Robert Stephenson Joins Indy for MLB Rehab Assignment - Indianapolis Indians
- Four of Top-10 Cardinals Prospects Featured on Redbirds Roster - Memphis Redbirds
- SWB RailRiders Game Notes - March 31, 2023 - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- RailRiders Announce Opening Day Roster - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Rochester Red Wings Game Notes - March 31 vs. Lehigh Valley - Rochester Red Wings
- I-Cubs Announce Official Opening Day Roster - Iowa Cubs
- Guardians & Clippers Announce Opening Day Triple-A Roster - Columbus Clippers
- Atlanta Braves Announce Gwinnett Opening Night Roster - Gwinnett Stripers
- Storm Chasers Reveal 2023 Opening Day Roster - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Jumbo Shrimp Introduce Renewal by Andersen Military Window - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Nashville Sounds Opening Night Game with Louisville Postponed - Nashville Sounds
- Saints Start Season with Six of the Top 20 Prospects in Twins Organization on Roster - St. Paul Saints
- Bulls Announce 2023 Opening Day Roster - Durham Bulls
- Top Prospects Highlight Indians Preliminary Opening Day Roster - Indianapolis Indians
- Red Wings Announce Opening Day Roster - Rochester Red Wings
- Jumbo Shrimp Unveil 2023 Opening Day Roster - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
