Red Wings hang on to defeat RailRiders

By: Ryan Oleksyn / Sports Writer

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - The Rochester Red Wings defeated the Scranton Wilkes-Barre RailRiders by a final score of 3-1 on Thursday night. Red Wings starting pitcher Andrew Alverez went five strong innings and fanned 10 batters in the process to help propel Rochester to the win.

Andrew Alverez pitching on Thursday, April 2nd, 2026 (Photo: Nicole Bowland)

"The curveball was really good and he elevated some fastballs." said Red Wings manager Matt LeCroy. "That was a big time outing for him against a good lineup."

To begin the game, starter Andrew Alverez was able to make quick work of the first three Scranton Wilkes-Barre hitters, striking out two and having an efficient 12-pitch inning. 

In the bottom half of frame one, Rochester jumped on RailRiders starter Elmer Rodriguez. 

With runners at second and third and no one out, Red Wings right fielder Dylan Crews would ground out to shortstop and record his third R.B.I of the season. Rochester now took an early 1-0 lead. 

Later in the top of the third, Scranton Wilkes-Barre would be set up well with runners at second and third and one out.

But Andrew Alverez struck out Scranton Wilkes-Barre leadoff man Spencer Jones and forced third baseman Max Schuemann to fly out to end the frame and escape the jam.  

As the game progressed, Alvarez just got stronger. He continued to retire RailRiders left, and right via the strikeout, and after five innings of work, Alvarez's night was over.

 He finished with 10 strikeouts while only allowing one hit, Rochester still led 1-0 up to this point as both offenses seemed to stall. 

"Just go up in the zone and attack hitters to get ahead." Said Andrew Alverez when asked about his approach to tonight's start. "It's definitely great to bounce back and feel like I can get back on my feet and continue to attack, I'm excited for this year."

(@RocRedWings on X)

The next scoring opportunity appeared in the bottom of the seventh inning. With runners at second and third and no outs, Yohandy Morales would step in and deliver. 

Morales would loft a lazy fly ball into right-center field, and with a miscommunication between center fielder Spencer Jones and right fielder Yanquiel Fernandez, the ball would drop in, as Morales would reach first and earn his fifth R.B.I of the season. 

The very next batter, Zack Short, would record a sacrifice fly to drive in Trey Lipscomb and record his second R.B.I of the season. After seven innings of play, Rochester now led by a score of 3-0 over Scranton Wilkes-Barre. 

Red Wings score on Thursday, April 2nd, 2026 (Photo: Nicole Bowland)

Soon enough the ninth inning was upon us, and Red Wings reliver Seth Shuman was tasked with getting the final three outs against the RailRiders. But after a few walks and a single, Scranton Wilkes-Barre was set up with the bases loaded and only one out in the inning.

Shortstop Paul DeJong stepped to plate next and was able to cut the deficient to just two on a sacrifice fly to centerfield. It was DeJong's third R.B.I of the season and the RailRiders were right back in this thing.

But with Scranton Wilkes-Barre down to their final out and the go ahead run at the plate, Shuman was able to force a game clinching groundout of Ali Sánchez and secure the 3-1 victory for Rochester.

Andrew Alverez earned the win, Elmer Rodriguez received the loss, and Seth Shuman got the save.

The Red Wings next game is tomorrow as they take on Scranton Wilkes-Barre once again but for a doubleheader beginning at 1:05 p.m.

Carlos Lagrange is set to start game one for the RailRiders and Mitchell Parker is tasked to take the mound for Rochester. Adam Kloffenstein is expected to start game two for Scranton Wilkes-Barre and the Red Wings starter for game two is still to be determined.