STAFF REPORTS
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ROCHESTER — Niko Goodrum’s two-run eighth inning homer led the Rochester Red Wings to a 5-4 win over the Gwinnett Braves Tuesday night at Frontier Field. The teams meet again Wednesday afternoon at 1:35 p.m., the first $1 Wednesday promotion of the season with $1 Zweigle’s hot dogs, chips, peanuts, and Cracker Jack.
Blake Lalli scored the first run of the game for the Gwinnett in the third inning against Red Wings starter Jose Berrios , after a passed ball that got by catcher Mitch Garver.
In the top of the fourth inning, Rio Ruiz hit a home run over the right field fence to give the Braves a 2-0 lead.
Braves left-hander Sean Newcomb had a strong, scoreless outing giving up only two hits in five innings of work. Newcomb threw 92 pitches (57 strikes), with six strikeouts and four walks.
Berrios gave the Wings six solid innings. Berrios threw 102 pitches (65 strikes) allowing one earned run, four hits, three walks and season-high 10 strikeouts.
The Red Wings got on the scoreboard against reliever Kevin Chapman in the bottom of the seventh. Tommy Field drew a walk to open the frame, and Goodrum followed with a double. Left fielder Mel Rojas, Jr. bobbled the ball, and Field hustled all the way to make the score 2-1. J.B. Shuck followed with a single, putting runners at the corner with no one out and the Braves brought in reliever Caleb Dirks. Ehire Adrianza greeted Dirks with an RBI single to tie the score 2-2. Matt Hague’s sacrifice fly brought in Shuck, and the Wings had their first lead of the game at 3-2.
D.J. Baxendale contributed a scoreless relief inning, and Trevor Hildenberger set down the first batter he faced in the eighth inning before allowing a single and double which tied the score 3-3. Ryan Howard followed with a single that put the Braves back ahead 4-3.
With two out in the bottom of the eighth inning against Rhiner Cruz, Field doubled into the right field corner. Goodrum followed by lofting a home run just over the left field wall, putting the Wings on top 5-4. It was Goodrum’s second homer of the season.
J.T. Chargois worked the ninth inning for the Red Wings, and allowed a first batter single. Blake Lalli followed with a hot shot that Hague made a diving snag of, starting a double play to erase the threat.
