ROCHESTER — John Ryan Murphy singled with the bases loaded, capping a 4-3 Red Wings comeback win over the Syracuse Chiefs Tuesday night at Frontier Field. The Wings remained 3.5 games behind Lehigh Valley for the wild card playoff spot, with five games against the IronPigs to close the season beginning with Thursday’s 7:05 p.m. home game.
Thursday features a P.J. Forbes bobble head giveaway, plus the final Fan 4-Pack Night with four tickets, hot dogs, drinks and a yearbook for $36 ($40 day of game).
Wednesday’s game started at 8:40 p.m. after a weather delay of an hour and 36 minutes. Wings starter Jose Berrios was making his first start since being optioned here by the Twins last week, and Berrios got a first inning assist from his defense. Left fielder Adam Brett Walker made a sliding catch to take away a hit from Caleb Ramsey. Brian Goodwin followed with a single, then was picked off first base by Berrios. Another single followed, and Matt Skole hit a long two-run homer to put the Chiefs ahead 2-0. Skole now has 17 hits against the Wings this season, most by a Chiefs player.
Nationals pitcher Joe Ross made a rehab start for the Chiefs, and was scheduled to work two innings. In the bottom of the second inning, Austin Voth was brought in to relieve Ross once he had reached his maximum pitch count. Ross worked 1.2 innings with one hit and two strikeouts. He threw 31 pitches, 21 for strikes.
In the top of the fourth inning, Soto notched a single to start off the inning. The single was his second hit of the night. Berrios struck out the next batter for his fourth strikeout of the night, followed by a flyout. However, he walked Matt den Dekker which put runners on first and second base with two outs. Berrios maintained his focus and was able to strike out Jason Martinson for the last out of the inning.
In the top of the fifth inning, Berrios struck out Zach Collier for his sixth strikeout of the night. During the next play, James Beresford made an impressive diving catch near second base to secure the second out. Berrios picked up another strikeout to wrap up the inning. Heading into the bottom of the fifth inning, the Chiefs still led 2-0.
To start off the top of the sixth inning, Goodwin hit a home run for the Chiefs, giving them a 3-0 lead over Rochester. The home run was Goodwin’s 14th home run of the season.
In the bottom of the sixth inning with one out, Tovar almost beat out a throw at first base for Rochester’s first hit since the start of the game; however, he was called out in a close play. During the next at-bat Reynaldo Rodriguez was brought in to pinch hit for Byron Buxton. Through four innings, Voth did not give up any hits, allowed one walk and struck out three batters.
The Wings finally got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the seventh against Voth. Kennys Vargas led off with a single, then with two out Mitch Garver roped a hit into the left field corner. Left fielder Collier made a running attempt at a catch but the ball skidded of his glove. The play was scored an error, with Vargas scoring to make the score 3-1.
Berrios started the eighth inning having already tied his season high with 11 strikeouts. Berrios struck out the side in the eighth, giving boosting his total to 13 including the last five hitters he faced. Berrios allowed five hits and three earned runs, with one walk. He threw 100 pitches, 71 for strikes. Alan Busenitz worked a perfect ninth for the Wings.
The Wings staged a comeback in the ninth against Trevor Gott. Beresford singled, then Vargas picked up his third hit of the game. Walker followed with a game-tying double, and Palka worked Gott for a walk to put runners at first and second with no one out. Mitch Garver followed with a single to load the bases; Murphy worked a full count against Gott, then laced a single to left to score Walker and secure the win.
Winning Pitcher: Busenitz (1-0)
Losing Pitcher: Gott (3-3)
Save: none
NOTES:
Because of Wednesday’s weather delay fans can use their August 31 dated tickets as a rain check for either the Sept. 1 or 2 home game, or any April or May 2017 home game. Call the ticket office at 423-WING (9464) for more information…RHP Edward Mujica is the lone Red Wings representative on the International League All-Star Team. Mujica, who leads the league with 24 saves, pitched most of the season for Lehigh Valley before joining the Wings August 19.
