ROCHESTER, NY - On a Saturday evening at Innovative Field, the Rochester Red Wings outlasted the Buffalo Bisons 8-5 in the fifth game of their six-game series. Looking to rebound from Friday’s loss, the Wings delivered a back-and-forth contest highlighted by power at the plate and timely hitting.

Buffalo struck first with a leadoff homer from Michael Stefanic in the opening frame. Still, Rochester responded in the second, capitalizing on a walk, an error, and an RBI single from Robert Hassell III to take a 2-1 lead. The Bisons tied it in the third, but Nick Schnell’s solo homer—his third in four games—put the Wings back in front.

The teams traded home runs and led through the middle innings. José Tena crushed his first Triple-A homer of the season, a 458-foot blast in the fifth, to knot the score at 4-4. Buffalo edged ahead in the seventh, but Tena’s RBI double and a misplay in the outfield allowed Rochester to surge ahead 6-5.

In the eighth, the Wings used small ball—back-to-back bunts and a sacrifice—to set up Yohandy Morales, whose two-run single gave Rochester a three-run cushion. The Bisons were retired in order in the ninth, sealing the Wings’ second win of the series.

On the mound, Andrew Alvarez made his league-leading 17th start, allowing four runs over 4.1 innings. The bullpen trio of Parker Dunshee, Joan Adon, and Konnor Pilkington combined for 4.2 strong innings, with Pilkington earning his second career save.

Player of the Game honors went to José Tena, who finished 2-for-5 with a double, a home run, two RBIs, and a stolen base, including the longest home run of his professional career. The series concludes Sunday afternoon at Innovative Field, with Bryce Conley set to make his home debut for Rochester.