Redwings Drop Series Opener to IronPigs 6-4 Despite Fast Start

By Christopher Drummond

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A promising start wasn't enough for the Rochester Red Wings on Tuesday night, as the Lehigh Valley IronPigs rallied from an early deficit to claim a 6-4 victory in the opener of a six-game series at Innovative Field.

Fresh off a successful road trip in which they won four of six games against Charlotte, the Red Wings looked poised to carry that momentum home after responding quickly to an early Lehigh Valley lead.

The IronPigs struck first with a run in the opening inning, but Rochester answered immediately in the bottom half. Yohandy Morales continued his productive season by lining an RBI double into the gap before Harry Ford capped off the inning with a two-run single, giving the Red Wings a 3-1 advantage.

Ford remained Rochester's biggest offensive spark throughout the evening, adding another RBI later in the game to finish 2-for-4 with three RBIs. Morales also enjoyed a strong night at the plate, collecting multiple hits while driving in his 52nd RBI of the season.

Despite the early offensive burst, Rochester's bats fell silent the rest of the way. The Red Wings were held scoreless over the final six innings, unable to generate the timely hits needed to answer Lehigh Valley's comeback.

The IronPigs gradually erased the deficit before taking control for good when Paul McIntosh launched a two-run home run—his fifth of the season—to put Lehigh Valley in front. Dylan Carlson later added a solo homer, his sixth of the year, providing valuable insurance as the visitors secured the 6-4 win.

Rochester's defense, which has been among the best in the International League throughout the season, also endured an uncharacteristically difficult night. A bizarre sequence featuring three errors on a single play proved costly and helped shift momentum in Lehigh Valley's favor.

Following the game, Red Wings manager Matthew LeCroy acknowledged both his club's strong start and the missed opportunities that followed.

"Tonight, we got some momentum in the first inning," LeCroy said. "However, we weren't able to sustain it. You have to give them credit. We are coming off a successful road trip, tough road trip. We have to come out tomorrow and get back to it. We had one inning where we saw three errors on one play. I don't think I've seen anything like that, but I saw it tonight."

LeCroy also praised Ford, whose recent offensive surge has continued after an outstanding road trip.

"He is starting to swing the bat well to all sides of the field," LeCroy said. "He had a perfect road trip series and he is carrying it into the start of this one. If he continues to hit like this, he won't be here long, but while he's here, we hope he can continue to help us continue to win ballgames."

Ford's performance was one of the few bright spots for Rochester, as the young catcher continues to make a strong impression with both his bat and overall offensive approach.

The Red Wings will look to even the series when they return to the field Wednesday night for Game 2 against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. First pitch is scheduled for 6:45 p.m.