Red Wings drop series opener to Bisons

By: Ryan Oleksyn / Sports Writer

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - The Rochester Red Wings were defeated by the Buffalo Bisons on Tuesday night by a final score of 5-3. Rochester rallied back to tie the game, but the bullpen could not hold off Buffalo's offense in the late innings.

"Had a chance there at the end but just didn't get it done." Said Red Wings Manager Matt LeCroy. "

Red Wings scoring on Tuesday, April 14th, 2026 (Photo: Nicole Bowland)

To begin the ballgame, the Red Wings pitching staff would be tested early by Buffalos hitter's as right fielder Yohendrick Pinango would promptly hit his third home run of the season and also earn his eighth and ninth R.B.I of the season.

The Bisons took an early 2-0 lead over Rochester going into the bottom of the first.

Even down 2-0, the Red Wings would respond quickly thanks to centerfielder Robert Hassel III. He would jolt a towering 428 ft Shot over the right field fence to cut the deficient to one for Rochester. It was Hassel III first home run of the season and sixth R.B.I of the season.

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"He is trending the way we want him to trend." Said LeCroy when ask about Robert Hassel III.

The Red Wings now trailed 2-1 after one inning of play.

After multiple innings of failed opportunities and clutch situational pitching from both sides, we would finally see our next run in the top of the sixth via a long ball from Buffalo first baseman Riley Tirotta. It was Tirrottas second home run and seventh R.B.I of the season as the bison's extended their lead back up to two over Rochester.

In the bottom half of the sixth frame with runners at first and second and two outs, in would step in Red Wings shortstop Trey Lipscomb. On a 1-0 count, Lipscomb would smoke a ball into the right field gap over the head of Yohendrick Pinango and drive in both runners to tie the game at 3 a piece. With those two R.B.I Lipscomb's season total had risen to seven.

Later in the top of the eighth inning the Bisons would steal the lead back once again from the Red Wings thanks to a no doubter from centerfielder RJ Schreck. It was Schrecks first homer and his third and fourth R.B.I of the season.

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Buffalo now led 5-3 going into the bottom of the eighth inning.

with no more scoring after eight and a half innings, to the bottom of the ninth we went as the Red Wings needed at least two to stay alive. With a runner at third and two outs, Right fielder Dylan Crews would strike out to end the ballgame and clinch the series opener for the Bisons by a final score of 5-3.

Andrew Pinckney on deck on Tuesday, April 14th, 2026 (Photo: Nicole Bowland)

Michael Plassmeyer earned the win, Eddy Yean received the loss, and Hayden Juenger notched the save.

" I believe in our team, I believe in our guys, and I believe we will respond back tomorrow." Said LeCroy.

The Red Wings and Bisons will square off once again on Wednesday as first pitch is scheduled for 1:05. Trey Yesavage is set to get the start for Buffalo and Rochester's starter is still to be determined.