Tommy Milone Stymies Bats in 3-0 Rochester Red Wings Win
Tommy Milone had to be a bit disappointed after being returned to AAA by the Minnesota Twins but, instead of sulking, he took his frustrations out on the Louisville Bats, keeping them off the scoreboard in a 3-0 Rochester Red Wings win. The victory ended the club’s two game losing streak and moves them a game back in the North Division of the International League
The Red Wings got all their runs in the first inning off of Bats starter Raisel Iglesias (1-2). The Louisville starter recorded the first out, then gave up a single to James Beresford. One out later Josmil Pinto walked, and then Danny Ortiz launched his fourth home run of the season over the rightfield wall to make it 3-0.
That would be all the runs that Milone would need, and would also be all the runs that would be scored in the game. The lefty had his pitches working all night. In the first three frames he allowed just two hits, and all six outs came via ground balls or strikeouts. In the fourth Louisville threatened, putting two runners in scoring position with two outs, but Milone got Eugenio Suarez to ground out to end the threat.
Getting out of trouble in the fourth seemed to reinvigorate the Rochester starter, who allowed just one runner over the next two innings, while striking out four batters in the two frames. That gave him seven strikeouts through the first six innings.
In the bottom of the seventh Milone struck out the first batter of the inning, but then walked Suarez and gave up a single to Jermaine Curtis. That would be it for the lefty. Mark Hamburger took over, inducing Yorman Rodriguez to hit into a double-play to end the threat.
Milone (1-0) pitched 6.1 innings, allowing five hits and two walks, while striking out eight. The left-hander finished with nine ground ball outs to just one fly ball out.
Louisville threatened again in the eighth inning when Hernan Iribarren singled to lead off the bottom of the inning, and Irving Falu walked out later. Hamburger stayed cool however, striking out Ivan DeJesus, Jr., before getting Josh Satin to fly out to end the inning.
While Milone was dominating, Iglesias rebounded from the first inning home run, and pitched well over the next four innings. He, too, was in command of his pitches, getting seven ground ball outs in five innings of work. He would finish after pitching five innings, allowing six hits, three walks, and three earned runs, while striking out five.
A.J. Achter came on in the ninth for the Rochester Red Wings, and retired the Louisville Bats in order to earn his second save of the season. Milone got the win and Iglesias took the loss.
The Ortiz home run was the difference in the game. The three-run homer now gives him 16 RBI on the season, tied for fifth in the International League. Reynaldo Rodriguez added two hits for Rochester.
These two teams continue their series tomorrow. The Rochester Red Wings send Alex Meyer (2-1, 5.61) to the hill, while the Louisville Bats counter with David Holmberg (0-3, 7.83). Game time is 6:05 eastern.
By Robert Pannier
