By Darryl Harding Sr –
As the sun begins to set in the heart of the heart of Massachusetts, Polar Park ushers in the 4th game of a Worcester Redsox homestand against the Nationals AAA-affiliate Rochester Red Wings.
Not wasting a moment’s time the Woosox immediately jumped onto the scoreboard against Rochester starter RHP Thaddeus Ward. A Chase Meidroth walk coupled with a Nick Sogard single that set up a three run homer from Nathan Hickey, his 8th of the year.
Ward’s worries were unwavering, relinquishing a two run homer to Niko Kavadas, scoring Matthew Lugo and before even recording an out the Red Wings were down 5-0.
Allowing only one run through 5 innings, a solo homer to Riley Adams in the 4th, Woosox starter RHP Josh Winckowski ran into trouble in the 6th giving up two hit and two runs, one earned. Relieved by rhp Isaiah Campbell after 5.2 innings, Winckowski threw 84 pitches 59 for strikes and 5 strikeouts.
Campbell went 1.1 innings and Rochester chalked up a solo homer by Erick Mejia. After getting shelled and only going 1.2 innings, Ward had lhp Joe La Sorsa and RHP Adonis Medina both pitch two scoreless innings each.
With the Red Wings drawing closer, now 5-4, and Medina spelled by LHP Tim Cate, it was Kavadas to the rescue, snacking a two run shot to center field, his second of the game, that increased the Worcester lead 7-4.
“He’s been struggling lately,” said Woosox manager Chad Tracy in reference to Kavadas, “to see him get back on the horse and be the guy we saw in the first month and a half… he looked great.”
LHP Lucas Luetge spun a scoreless 8th inning and RHP Sal Romano came in for the save and a 7-4 final. Woosox continue this homestand Saturday at 4:05.