Walkoff Knock Spoils Perez's Gem
ROCHESTER, NY -- Nate Hanson singled home a leadoff walk in Eric Farris with one out in the bottom of the ninth to deal the Indianapolis Indians (56-53) their sixth consecutive loss and send the Rochester Red Wings (59-48) to a 1-0 walkoff win on Saturday night at Frontier Field.
Following more than seven shutout innings from both starters, including eight unblemished frames by Indians lefty Rafael Perez, the Tribe nearly broke the scoreless affair when Andrew Lambo reached as the go-ahead run on a bloop single in the top of the ninth.
Mel Rojas Jr. sacrificed the runner to second, Tony Sanchez reached with a hit-by-pitch and a pinch-hit grounder from Chris McGuiness then moved both Lambo and Sanchez into scoring position. With the potential winning run standing 90 feet away, a comebacker to opposing closer Michael Tonkin erased the Indians threat.
Farris then coaxed a six-pitch free pass in the home half of the ninth and took second on a bunt from James Beresford, before an intentional walk to last night's game-changer Josmil Pinto brought Hanson to the dish. Saturday's game-winner took a called strike prior to singling up the middle to score Farris from second and bury the Indians.
Visiting starter Perez took the no-decision despite three-hitting Rochester through eight shutout frames. The southpaw faced just four above the minimum 24 while extending his streak of no earned runs to 19 1/3 consecutive innings.
Starter Sean Gilmartin blanked the Tribe in his 7 1/3 frames.