Red Wings fall to Bisons

By: Victor Menendez

Riley Cornelio throwing a pitch on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025. (Grant Bush-Resko/Rochester Red Wings)

ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- A three-run seventh inning from the Buffalo Bisons powered their 4-3 win over the Rochester Red Wings on Friday night at Innovative Field. Rochester is now 2-2 in this six-game series against the Bisons, which is their last home series of the 2025 season.

"We had defensive letdowns in the seventh that allowed them to take the lead and we couldn't mount anything in the ninth," Red Wings manager Matt LeCroy said. "We kind of let one slip away here tonight so we've got to come back tomorrow hopefully and play a little bit better."

25-year-old right-hander Riley Cornelio got the start for the Red Wings. After allowing five earned runs in less than four innings in his previous start, Cornelio allowed just one run on one hit, fanning eight and retiring the first nine batters he faced.

"Coming back, I felt confident in myself," Cornelio said. "Being able to work on some things and come back here, we love playing in Rochester, so it was great."

Alek Manoah took the ball in his sixth start for the Bisons, recovering from Tommy John Surgery. The 27-year-old went 5.1 innings, giving up three earned runs on four hits and a walk, striking out eight.

Francisco Mejia got the Wings on the board in the bottom of the third inning with his sixth home run of the year. Manoah left a sinker over the heart of the plate and Mejia deposited it into the Red Wings bullpen.

Video credit: @RocRedWings on X.

Cornelio got himself into trouble in the top of the fourth inning, issuing three walks to the first three hitters, loading the bases with nobody out. He limited the damage, however, allowing just one run on a sac fly from second baseman Leo Jimenez, tying the game at one.

"Just kind of saying 'got to throw strikes now,' there's no more room to pick and nibble," Cornelio said. "Just trying to bear down and give my defense a chance because we do play such a great defense."

Rochester took a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the sixth thanks to some shaky defense from the Bisons. After loading the bases with one out, Nick Schnell grounded a potential double play ball to Jimenez. A poor return throw from shortstop Josh Rivera sailed over the head of first baseman Michael Stefanic, allowing two runs to score.

Video credit: @RocRedWings

It was the Red Wings turn to allow runs thanks to poor defense in the top of the seventh as the Bisons took a 4-3 lead. After Buffalo brought the score to within a run thanks to an RBI single from Stefanic, the Bisons had the bases loaded with two outs. Jonatan Clase slapped a line drive to left fielder Darren Baker that Baker dropped, scoring two runs and giving Buffalo the lead.

Andrew Bash recorded the final six outs for the Bisons, earning the save.

With the loss, Rochester falls to 56-83 on the season and 29-38 in the second half. Buffalo improves to 58-80 and 28-37 in the second half with the win.

"As far as wins and losses [this season] was disappointing for me, for the staff and even for the club," LeCroy said. "We have hopes of playing in the playoffs and playing championship baseball. It's been a positive season for development. You look at all of our team that's in the big leagues right now; that's our job ultimately, is to get guys to the next level."

The Red Wings will continue their series against Buffalo on Saturday. Right-hander Bryce Conley (2-4, 6.02) will get the ball for Rochester. He'll face Adam Kloffenstein (2-7, 6.14) on the mound for Buffalo. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m.