The Worcester Red Sox scored first and never looked back, as they earned an eventual 5-3 win against the Rochester Red Wings at Innovative Field on Friday night.
Starting pitcher Cooper Criswell pitched five scoreless innings, allowed two walks, and struck out six to help the Red Sox improve to 46-44. Blaze Jordan, meanwhile, recorded three of his team’s six combined hits.
The road team also finished 3-for-7 with runners in scoring position and only stranded four runners on base. Complete game statistics can be found here.
Rochester starting pitcher Andrew Alvarez allowed five runs (two earned), five hits, one walk, and struck out seven in six innings to remain winless at 0-7.
It didn’t take Worcester long to reach the scoreboard, as Vaughn Grissom brought home Nick Sogard during the top of the first inning on a sacrifice fly to score the game’s first run.
Jordan then connected for a run-scoring infield single to help the Red Sox make it 2-0. After a scoreless second inning, Jordan reached base via an error that allowed Nate Eaton to cross home plate.
Worcester’s offense wasn’t finished, though, as Phillip Sikes (solo home run) and Jordan (run-scoring single) recorded two more runs during the fourth and fifth innings to extend its cushion to 5-0.
The hit marked Sikes’ fifth season blast, while Jordan drove in two runs.
The Red Wings didn’t go down without swinging, though, as Nick Schnell spoiled the potential shutout behind his 10th season blast to right-center field in the bottom of the sixth inning.
But before the frame was concluded, teammate Trey Lipscomb drove in Andrew Pinckney on an infield single for their team’s second run. José Tena then followed their comeback attempt with a solo blast to make it a two-run deficit.
Rochester almost completed its impressive comeback, as the home team earned runners on first and second base with two outs. It wasn’t enough, though, as relief pitcher José Adames replaced Tyler Uberstine (3.2 innings pitched, two earned runs, and six strikeouts), as he forced Schnell to end the game with a fly out.
Adames earned his first save behind the outcome.
Worcester and Rochester will continue its series against each other on Saturday at 6:45 p.m.
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