Trey Lipscomb’s sixth-inning home run gave the Rochester Red Wings a late spark, but they managed just two hits in a 2-1 loss to the Toledo Mud Hens on Tuesday night at ESL Ballpark.
Toledo starter Troy Watson and three relievers combined on a two-hitter to hand first-place Rochester just its 26th loss of the season.
Watson set the tone by carrying a one-hitter through five scoreless innings, striking out three without a walk on just 57 pitches. Rochester’s only hit against him came on a second-inning single from catcher Harry Ford before Watson retired 10 of the final 11 batters he faced.
Kent keeps Red Wings in the game
On the other side, left-hander Jackson Kent was largely in control but Toledo shortstop Andrew Navigato did the damage. Navigato opened the scoring with a solo homer to left in the third, then singled in the fifth, stole second and came home an RBI single by leadoff man Ben Malgeri for a 2-0 lead.
The Red Wings finally broke through in the sixth, moments after Toledo turned to its bullpen. After a groundout against Konnor Pilkington, Lipscomb hit a solo shot to center for his 12th home run, trimming Toledo’s lead to 2-1.
Rochester’s bullpen did its part to keep the game within reach, as Andre Granillo, Cole Henry and Luke Young combined for 4 scoreless innings while allowing just three hits.
Toledo’s relief corps matched those zeroes and closed it out. Pilkington surrendered only Lipscomb’s homer over 1.2 innings, Tanner Rainey walked two but did not allow a hit and Jack Little worked a clean ninth with one strikeout to lock down his second save.
Navigato leads Mud Hens
Navigato scored both runs for Toledo and finished 2-for-3 with a homer, single and stolen base, while Malgeri added the go-ahead RBI single and two steals out of the leadoff spot. Rochester’s offense, meanwhile, was limited to Ford’s single and Lipscomb’s long ball as the Red Wings fell to 42-26.
Rochester remains in first place in their division, but fall one game behind Memphis for the league lead. This is the final week for the International League’s first half. Winning the first half would guarantee the Red Wings a place in the International League Championship Series in September.
Information gathered from milb.com.
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This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Red Wings bats go quiet in 2-1 loss to Toledo
Reporting by Staff reports, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
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By Staff reports, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle | USA TODAY Network
