Red Wings Hold On, Down Saints 2-1

The Rochester Red Wings took on the St. Paul Saints Friday night at Innovative Field. The Wings beat the Saints 2-1 in what was the shortest game time this year.

RHP Cory Abbott worked a no-hitter through five innings before giving up the first hit of the game by either team in the top of the sixth inning. CF Derek Hill singled in the bottom half of the sixth to collect the Wings’ first hit of the night and came around to score on a 2B Darren Baker bunt later in the frame. Rochester pushed the lead to 2-0 as C Kevin Plawecki scored on a wild pitch.

St. Paul cut the lead in half in the ninth inning, but the Wings held on and earned a 2-1 win after RHP Andres Machado stranded the tying run at third, earning the save.

RHP Cory Abbott (1-3, 6.46) started on the mound for the Wings and worked 5.2 innings, striking out 12 batters and allowing just one hit. LHP Jose A. Ferrer, LHP Alberto Baldanado, RHP Andres Machado pitched the remaining 3.1 innings, striking out six batters and allowing one hit. LHP Jose A. Ferrer (2-0) earned the win for Rochester and St. Paul’s RHP Simeon Woods-Richardson (0-3) took the loss.

The Diamond Pro Player of the Game is RHP Cory Abbott, who worked a no-hitter through five innings. Abbott finished with 12 strikeouts, three walks and just one hit in 5.2 innings of work. 12 strikeouts falls one shy of Abbott’s career-high (13) which came against St. Paul in 2021 with Iowa (CHI-NL).

The Automatic Ball-Strike Challenge System was implemented for the first time ever Friday night. St. Paul went 1-for-1 on challenges while Rochester finished 0-for-2 on challenges.

The Wings continue the series against St. Paul at Innovative Field Saturday afternoon. RHP Paolo Espino (0-1, 4.50) will make his second start of the year against St. Paul’s RHP Randy Dobnak (1-0, 5.94). First pitch is set for 1:05 pm.

See the box score attached here.