The Red Wings split a doubleheader with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs Sunday at Frontier Field. The Wings won the opener 1-0, and dropped the second game 7-1. The league will enjoy a three-day All-Star Break, leading up to the Triple-A All-Star Game in Buffalo Wednesday night; the Wings resume play here on Thursday night July 12 against the Toledo Mud Hens.

The first game featured Rochester right-hander Nick Blackburn, making his first start since being optioned to the Wings Wednesday. Blackburn's opponent was the league's top pitcher, Tyler Cloyd - who will start on the mound for the International League All-Star Team Wednesday night.

Both starters worked around three baserunners over the first two innings, with Wings All-Star representative Pedro Florimon singling to lead off the first inning.

Rene Rivera was a big part of the Wings defense, throwing out two runners attempting to steal second.

The game was forced into extra innings after neither team was able to score in seven. Florimon led off the bottom of the eighth with a walk, and then was pushed over to second on a sac-bunt by Matt Carson. Two batters later, Danny Valencia ripped a single into left field to drive in the run, and the Wings took the first game 1-0. Blackburn got the win, pitching all 8 innings and allowing 9 hits. David Purcey picked up the loss for the Iron Pigs.
Click here for the game one box score

Game Two:
Rochester's starter for game two was Steven Hirschfeld, making his sixth start of the season. He faced RHP Tyson Brummett, who came into the game with a record of 3-1.

Tsuyoshi Nishioka extended his hitting streak to six games after leading off the bottom of the first with a single. Carson followed up with a walk, but the Wings were unable to capitalize on the chance.

The IronPigs posted their first runs of the day in the second inning, when Michael Martinez drilled a three-run homer to right field. Kyle Hudson singled in another run and when Pete Orr added a three-run homer, Lehigh Valley had an early 7-0 lead.

Hirschfeld was replaced in the fifth inning by RHP Dan Sattler. Hirschfeld finished his day pitching 4 innings, with 6 hits, 6 earned runs, and 3 strikeouts. Sattler retired all six batters he faced, striking out one.

Luke French pitched the seventh inning for the Red Wings. In the bottom of the seventh, Danny Valencia helped avoid the shutout with an RBI single off Philippe Aumont.

Click here for the game two box score

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UP NEXT:
Thurs. July 12 - 7:05 p.m. Red Wings vs. Toledo (Tigers)
Pre-game concert with Johnny Smoke Check out the winning band from our Music 4 Everyone contest, performing live near the front gates from 6-6:30 pm...National Honey Board Buy 1, Get 1 Thursday: Buy 1 Ticket, Get 1 Free with a honey receipt... The Amazing Spiderman Appearance The Marvel Comics superhero will be here for photos before the game...Spikes Salsa & Francesco Rinaldi Family Night- One Francesco Rinaldi pasta sauce or Spikes Salsa label can be redeemed at the Box Office for a buy one, get one free ticket to the game... Knot Hole Kid's Club Game (Knot Hole members receive reduced admission to this and all Knot Hole games. In addition, parents of Knot Holers get $1 off their ticket price), presented by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield and Messenger Post Media... Hillside Family of Agencies Pre-Game Autograph Booth. Meet a different Red Wings player each game, signing free autographs... 6:25 pm-6:45 pm prior to 7:05 pm games; 5:25-5:45 p.m. prior to 6:05 games; 12:25 pm-12:45 pm prior to 1:05 pm games.
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PROBABLE STARTERS:
All-Star Break

Future Wing Watch - New Britain's outfielder Evan Bigley went 3-4 with two runs scored in the Rock Cats' 6-5 win over New Hampshire on Saturday.

This Day in Red Wings History: 1976 - Rochester's sixteen game winning streak was snapped as the Wings lost 8-4 to Pawtucket in R.I. The winning streak was stopped three short of the all-time Wings record of 19, which was set in 1953. The string of wins gave Rochester a 5 game lead in the International league...2006- Alex Romero belted a bases-loaded triple in the 10th inning as visiting Rochester beat Scranton/Wilkes-Barre 9-5 on Satrurday.



This Day in IL Baseball History: 1998 – For the first time, the Triple-A All-Star Game is formatted to pit the International League All-Stars against the Pacific Coast League All-Stars, and the IL wins bragging rights by defeating the PCL squad 8-4 at Norfolk’s Harbor Park. The International League jumps out to an early 3-0 lead sparked by a homer from Columbus’ Mike Lowell in the bottom of the 1st. Starting pitcher Joel Bennett of Rochester tosses two scoreless innings to win the game, throwing for his actual manager Marv Foley. Tides’ fans have more than just the game to cheer about, as their own outfielder Benny Agbayani is married on the field prior to the game.

Born on This Day: 1958- Kevin Bacon... 1961 - Toby Keith... 1933 - Marty Feldman

It Happened This Day in Baseball: 1902 - John McGraw, accused by Ban Johnson of trying to wreck the Baltimore and Washington clubs, negotiates his release from the Orioles and officially signs to manage the Giants at $11,000 a year. McGraw then swings the sale of the Orioles towards the Giants and the Reds. 1951 - The feud between Joe DiMaggio and Casey Stengel reaches a head. In the second inning of a game, because of a misplay in the first, Stengel sends reserve Jackie Jensen out to center field to relieve the Yankee Clipper after he had already taken his position. 1997 - Sandy Alomar, Jr., who has a 30-game hitting streak to end the first half of the season, slams a two-run home run in front of the hometown crowd at Jacobs Field to lead the AL to a 3-1 win in the All-Star Game. Alomar is named the game's MVP for helping end the N.L.'s three-game winning streak.

#1 Song on This Day: 1976 "Afternoon Delight " Starland Vocal Band... 1988 "The Flame" Cheap Trick... 1999 "Livin La Vida Loca" Ricky Martin