Red Wings fall to Bulls in series opener

By: Victor Menendez

Darren Baker in his load on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (Joseph Territo/Rochester Red Wings)

ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- The Rochester Red Wings started their series against the Durham Bulls with a 3-1 extra-inning loss on Tuesday. The Red Wings grounded into three double plays on the night, stifling their offensive opportunities.

"This is probably one of the better teams we're going to face all year with the way they can pitch," Red Wings manager Matt LeCroy said. "These guys have to be up for the challenge to get some things done in the box."

Right-hander Seth Shuman got the start for the Red Wings. The 27-year-old, in his fourth career start at Triple-A, went six scoreless innings, giving up just two hits and one walk, while striking out four. After allowing four runs in 4.1 innings in his first start with Rochester, Shuman has gone at least five innings while giving up one or fewer runs in each of his three starts since. 

Seth Shuman throwing a pitch on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (Joseph Territo/Rochester Red Wings)

"I'd say I've just been a little bit more comfortable," Shuman said. "My first start I could say I was a little nervous, I had a couple walks. But I've definitely settled in a bit and just attack hitters and try to keep them off balance."

Shuman was replaced by reliever Patrick Weigel in the seventh inning. It took just one pitch for the Bulls to take the lead. Durham first baseman Bob Seymour hammered a first-pitch slider from Weigel 114.7 MPH into the right field seats to give the Bulls a 1-0 lead.

Seymour already holds the high mark in terms of exit velocity on home runs in Triple-A this season, having hit a 117.9 MPH blast on April 30. At 114.7 MPH, this home run is tied for the fifth hardest hit at Triple-A so far this year. 

Rochester tied the game at one in the bottom half. Darren Baker followed up a one-out double from Andrew Knizner with a double of his own to score Knizner and even up the score. 

Video credit: Minor League Baseball

That score held up through nine innings of play, requiring extras in order to decide this one.

Durham came out swinging in the 10th. Josh Lowe added a run with a sac fly to put the Bulls up one. Then, with two outs, Eloy Jimenez singled up the middle for his fourth hit of the game to score another run and give Durham a two-run lead.

The Red Wings went down 1-2-3 in the bottom half, ending this game at a final of 3-1.

With the loss, Rochester falls to 10-28 on the season, staying in last place in the International League. Durham improves to 25-15, second place in the IL with the win.

The Red Wings will be in action again tomorrow for game two of this six-game series against Durham. Right-hander Adrian Sampson will make his second start for Rochester after being signed on May 6. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m.