Red Wings play spoiler, beating Bisons 7-3

After clinching the Northeast Division on Thursday, the Bisons came into Friday night at Frontier Field looking to celebrate their first division title since 2005. Rochester played spoiler to Buffalo’s party, scoring in three consecutive innings to beat Buffalo, 7-3.

The Herd grabbed an early lead in this one thanks to Juan Graterol’s solo home run in the top of the third, but just a few frames later the Red Wings snatched the momentum. A solo home run, two walks, and an error gave the Red Wings a 3-1 lead over the Bisons, and the Thruway rival never looked back.

Adding to their lead in the bottom of the 6th, Rochester broke the game wide open. Jake Noll led off the inning with a single, followed by Mike Ford working a walk. With the two runners on, Raudy Reid then singled to center field and Noll sped around the bases to score for the Red Wings, giving the club a three-run lead.

With Ford and Ried still on base, Jecksson Flores hit a two-run double down the third baseline and the Red Wings’ lead was expanded to five runs, 6-1

Trailing in the top of the 7th, the Bisons knew they were running out of chances at the plate. Gregory Polanco led the inning off with a walk, giving the Herd a base runner. Graterol then singled and Nash Knight worked a walk to load the bases for Buffalo. Otto Lopez delivered for the Bisons, doubling to right field and Buffalo scored two runs on the play. The Herd failed to score again in the inning and headed into the bottom of the inning still trailing by three.

Just when it seemed as if the Bisons were going to snag the momentum, the Red Wings responded. With two outs in the bottom of the 7th, Noll homered over the left-field wall, expanding the Rochester lead back to four runs at 7-4.

The Red Wings’ bullpen completed the job and delivered a win for Rochester, tying the series at two games apiece between the Thruway rivals.

Bowden Francis started on the mound for the Bisons, earning his 11th start with the club after being traded to the organization in July. Francis was sharp for the Herd through the first four innings of the game, but the Red Wings jumped on the right-hander when the momentum swung in their favor.

Francis’ final stat line included five innings pitched, allowing two earned runs on three hits and two walks. The hard-throwing right-hander struck out four opposing batters while getting four more batters to ground out and five more to fly out.

Graterol was notable for the Bisons in this one. The veteran catcher batted 3-for-4 at the plate, knocking in one run himself.

Lopez was also impressive, batting 2-for-4 in the lead-off spot for the Herd. The prospect batted in two of the Buffalo’s three runs.

The Bisons (70-45) and Red Wings (46-68) will play game five of the series on Saturday evening. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 pm. Thomas Hatch is expected to start on the mound for Buffalo..