STAFF REPORTS
ROCHESTER — The Rochester Red Wings dropped a 2-1 contest to the Syracuse Chiefs Monday night at Frontier Field; the Wings finally opened their season, after cold weather postponed the first three scheduled games. The teams meet again Tuesday at 5:35 p.m.
Red Wings righty Aaron Slegers did not allow a base runner through the first two innings of the game. Slegers got himself into trouble in the top of the third after a pair of base hits and a hit batter loaded the bases with one out. Andrew Stevenson walked to force in a run, giving the Chiefs a 1-0 lead. Slegers got Jose Marmolejos to ground into an inning-ending double play to end the threat.
Rochester quickly got to work in the bottom half of the third inning, as Syracuse starting pitcher Edwin Jackson surrendered a one out base hit to Jack Cave. One batter later, Jackson walked Kennys Vargas to put men on first and second. After a Brock Stassi flyout, Jackson worked himself into a bases loaded situation after issuing a two-out walk to Taylor Featherston. With Nick Buss at the dish, Jackson threw a wild pitch bringing across Cave to tie the game at 1-1.
Jackson went four innings, giving up two hits, one earned run, three strikeouts and six walks. Jackson threw 85 pitches, 38 for strikes.
Slegers had a solid start allowing one earned run on five hits, while walking one and striking out one over six innings of work. Slegers threw 66 pitches, 49 for strikes.
Tyler Duffey took over to open the seventh inning, and set down the first seven batters he faced. The Chiefs went ahead in the top of the ninth, when Alejandro De Aza reached third on a three-base error by Zack Granite in center field. De Aza scored on a sacrifice fly by Chris Dominguez.
In the bottom of the ninth, the Wings put runners at first and second with two out against Carlos Torres. With runners moving on a full count, Bobby Wilson was called out on a third strike to end the threat and the game.
The Red Wings out-hit the Chiefs 7-5.
Express Mart Thruway Cup Series: The Red Wings are now 0-1 in the season-long competition for the Thruway Cup.
Winning Pitcher: Cordero (1-0)
Losing Pitcher: Duffey (0-1)
Save: Torres (1)
Box Score – Click here for the box score and play-by-play narrative.
Losing Pitcher: Duffey (0-1)
Save: Torres (1)
Box Score – Click here for the box score and play-by-play narrative.
NOTES: The Red Wings had their first three games of the season postponed for the first time since 1983… The Red Wings loaded the bases twice, and went 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position….Tyler Duffey took the hard luck loss despite not allowing a hit or walk over three innings pitched.
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