Rochester Red Wings re-bound from getting shut out and beat the St. Paul Saints

Rochester, NY — A couple of hours after being shut out by the St. Paul Saints, the Rochester Red Wings rebounded and won this morning in Rochester, 6-3. Rochester Red Wing’s record is now 27-23.

RHP DJ Herz got the start for the Red Wings this morning. He pitched 5.1 innings, giving up one run on one hit, striking out ten, and allowing one walk. Herz pitched 93 innings, 66 of them strikes, facing 19 batters.

He is the first Red Wing to strike out double-digit batters since Wily Peralta struck out the same number last year on May 10, 2023, against Worcester.

Herz got off to a great start to the game as he struck out the side in the top of the first and then got to work as he only allowed one run. Herz’s record is now 3-2 with a 3.75 ERA.

When asked today about Herz’s performance after the game, Rochester Red Wings Manager Matt LeCroy said: “I thought it was one of his best outings; you know, he was able to pitch soft when he was behind, and when he got ahead, he pounded the fastball while mixing in some sliders and changeups. The only blemish for me was the one walk, and he’s come a long way with his last three outings. They’ve been really solid and, hopefully, he continues to do what he’s doing. He’s pounding the strike zone with all his pitches, and he hides the ball well. When he throws it over, they seem to swing and miss.”

What changes did the Rochester Red Wings organization make to turn things around and be more successful in these last few outings rather than at the beginning of the year? LeCroy said: “We skipped Herz starting after the Scranton series. He and Chavey, our pitching coach, got together to straighten some things out with his posture on the mound. He threw a couple of sides, where he usually only throws one between starts, and now he has been able to take it into the game. I think he’s gotten more in line to home plate and got this arm in the right slot. He’s obviously throwing more strikes, which was his problem area at the beginning of the year.”

Stay up-to-date on the latest news and analysis about the Rochester Red Wings all season long.

Now, back to the game.

RHP Orlando Ribalta took over in the sixth and recorded two outs on a hit with a walk. RHP Amos Willingham was called upon in the seventh and turned in 2.0 hitless innings, allowing just one walk. RHP Rico Garcia was responsible for the ninth inning, only allowing one earned run while striking out one to finish the game and secure the win.

The Rochester Red Wings offense got off to a quick start in the bottom of the second when the Red Wings put up two runs thanks to Jackson Cluff and Darren Baker's RBIs.

Two innings later in the bottom of the fourth, the Red Wings put up two additional runs thanks to a two-run RBI from catcher Drew Millas, scoring Erick Mejia and Jackson Cluff. An inning later, in the bottom of the fifth, an RBI from Alex Call drove in Juan Yepez, adding a run.

DH Travis Blankenhorn extended his hitting streak to eleven games with a line-drive single Thursday afternoon, finishing 1-for-3 with a run scored. This current streak is the lefty's longest hitting streak of the season and longest since a 13-game hit streak on 6/2 25 in 2019 with Double-A Pensacola (MIN).

Rochester added a run in the bottom of the seventh thanks to an RBI from Jackson Cluff, scoring Jack Dunn. Cluff finished the day going 3-3 with 2 RBI, and Juan Yepez finished the day going 2-3.

The Rochester Red Wings will continue their series against the St. Paul Saints tomorrow night, with the first pitch at 6:45 p.m. The Red Wings will send RHP Jackson Rutledge (2-3; 6.51 ERA) to the mound against RHP Louie Varland (2-3; 4.41 ERA).

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