Four-Run Eighth Propels Worcester to Comeback Win in Rochester

By Tyler Murray –

Highlighted by a three-run home run from David Hamilton, the Worcester Red Sox rallied with four runs in the eighth inning for a 6-2 comeback win over the Rochester Red Wings on Wednesday night at Innovative Field.

Trailing 2-1 in the top of the eighth, the WooSox sparked a rally with a walk to Narciso Crook and an infield single by Ryan Fitzgerald, who beat out a throw from former Worcester shortstop Jeter Downs. Caleb Hamilton then crushed a game-tying double that hopped over the wall in center, and David Hamilton capped the rally with a three-run blast to right, putting the WooSox in front 5-2. Hamilton leads the team with seven home runs and leads the league with 20 stolen bases.

Narciso Crook added a sac fly in the top of the ninth to extend the lead to 6-2.

Matt Dermody spun another gem for the WooSox, allowing just two runs over six innings. He scattered nine hits with no walks and seven strikeouts, but allowed solo homer to Carter Kieboom in the third and left the game with Worcester trailing 2-1.

AJ Politi earned the win in relief, spinning a scoreless seventh inning with one strikeout. Ryan Sherriff (H, 3) and Chase Shugart followed with a hitless eighth and ninth to seal the win.

Rochester jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first when Derek Hill laid down a bunt single, moved to third on a base hit, and scored on a throwing error from WooSox catcher Caleb Hamilton. Crook tied the game with a leadoff homer in the third, showing off his opposite-field power with a towering shot over the fence in right center.

Wednesday night’s win was Worcester’s second victory of the season when trailing after seven innings. Eight of the nine WooSox batters recorded exactly one hit, while Wilyer Abreu finished 0-for-2 with two walks.

After this week-long series in Rochester, the WooSox return home to Polar Park – recently voted Best Ballpark in Triple-A by the readers of Ballpark Digest – for a six-game homestand against the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs (Philadelphia Phillies) from Tuesday, May 16 – Sunday, May 21.