Red Wings outlast rain delay, but fall to Red Sox in first game of the series

By: Elias Vega-Diaz ROCHESTER, NY - Coming back home off a series win against Lehigh Valley, the 38-24 Rochester Red Wings returned to ESL Ballpark to start their homestand against the 32-28 Worcester Red Sox. After a lengthy game delay that paused a competitive game, Worcester would take the win in extras, 6-5. On the mound for Rochester would be righty Chandler Champlain, who holds a 3.69 ERA over 53.2 innings with 38 strikeouts. Champlain has been spectacular against the Red Sox as of late, sporting a 1.62 ERA over 16.2 innings pitched, with nine strikeouts to pair in his three starts against the team.

RHP Chandler Champlain fires off from the mound. Tuesday, June 10th, 2026. (Photo: Ethan Bissinger/Rochester Red Wings)

The Red Wings would engage in a defensive back-and-forth through the first four innings of the ballgame, before breaking through against Worcester's Jack Anderson in the bottom of the fifth. Center fielder Robert Hassell III would crush a fastball just outside the middle of the zone, sending it 392 feet to left center to give Rochester the lead 1-0. Worcester would respond in the top of the seventh, knocking out Champlain from the mound to even out the game 1-1. Red Sox outfielder Kristian Campbell would work a walk to start the frame, moving to third from a single by left fielder Allan Castro. Campbell would be driven in by catcher Jason Delay, who coasted an RBI single that would sneak under a diving catch attempt from Rochester's Andrew Pickney. Rochester would respond in the bottom of the frame with a massive two-run shot to take the lead, 3-1. With Pickney situated at second off a one-out double, Catcher Riley Adams would uncork an inside fastball from Worcesters Tyler Samaniego, hanging it to the patio seats in left center for a two-run homer. The Red Wings would add insurance in the bottom of the eighth, adding to their lead to make it a 4-1 ballgame. Faced with two outs, designated hitter Abimelec Ortiz would blast a changeup from Worcester's Devin Sweet, sending it 436 feet to center field for a no-doubter.

Third baseman Brady House begins his run to first at the plate. Tuesday, June 10th, 2026. (Photo: Ethan Bissinger/Rochester Red Wings)

Worcester would show signs of life in their final out, tying the game 4-4. A crucial throwing error by closer Eddy Jean to first would allow Castro to get on base for the Red Sox, leading to a wild pitch advance to allow second baseman Tsung-Che Cheng to get on first. This set up first baseman Matt Lloyd to take advantage of a hung sinker by Jean, treating the left field patio as a landing pad for a defining three-run shot to tie the ballgame. The game would go into a rain delay before entering extras at the top of the tenth. It would last for one hour and 25 minutes before resuming at 10:30 pm. The delay would not slow down Worcester, as they took the lead, making it a 6-4 ballgame. With the bases loaded, designated hitter Matt Thaiss would ground out into an RBI double play, scoring pinch runner Tyler McDonough, who came in for pinch hitter Mikey Romano. Campbell would add another run, as he waived a ground ball that leaked into shallow left, scoring Ward. The Red Wings would attempt a comeback at the bottom of the tenth, adding a run before losing 6-5. With Adams at third, left fielder Christian Franklin walking to first and one out, first baseman Yohandy Morales would ground out on a dribbler down the third base side, scoring Adams. Right-hander Wyatt Olds would gain the win for Worcester, pitching an inning in extras and striking out three in the victory for the Red Sox. With the loss would be right-hander Seth Shuman, who pitched an inning in extras, giving up two hits and two runs. "We didn't finish, that's all," said manager Matt LeCroy postgame. "There's no panic, these guys are battling, they'll do whatever they can to win each game. They want to win. For me, that's fun to watch them be mindful and pull for each other every night, so hopefully we'll be in the win column tomorrow." With the loss, Rochester moves down to 38-25, sitting atop the International League East and third in the league itself. Worcester improves to 33-28, good for fourth in the division and seventh in the league. Both teams will face off again on Wednesday for Game 2 of the series, with first pitch scheduled for 6:45 p.m.