Red Wings take step toward playoffs with blowout win

Rochester erupted for 11 runs in the sixth inning en route to a 14-1 win over the Toledo Mud Hens on Saturday at ESL Ballpark.

Christian Franklin and Harry Ford led the way for the Red Wings, who improved to 45-27 and strengthened their hold on first place in the International League East.

Toledo took a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning on a solo homer by Max Anderson. Franklin answered in the bottom half with a solo shot of his own to tie the game. Ford then put Rochester ahead with a solo homer in the fifth.

The Red Wings broke the game open in the sixth. Phillip Glasser singled and Seaver King reached on a fielder’s choice before Yohandy Morales singled to drive in Glasser. Abimelec Ortiz was hit by a pitch and Brady House followed with a two-run double.  Ford doubled in two more runs to make it 7-1.

Glasser added an RBI single, Franklin drew a bases-loaded walk, King singled in another run, Ortiz walked to force in a run and House capped the inning with a two-run single.

Morales finished the scoring with his team-leading 16th homer in the eighth. He went 2-for-5 with two RBIs and two runs scored. House drove in four runs, while Franklin reached base four times with a homer, single and two walks. Ford had a homer and double among his two hits and three RBIs.

On the mound, Carson Palmquist and Andre Granillo combined to allow one run over the first four innings. Zach Penrod earned the win with a scoreless fifth, while Riley Cornelio and Robert Cranz bridged the gap to Trevor Gott, who worked a scoreless ninth. The Red Wings staff scattered five hits, walked four and struck out eight.

Carl Edwards Jr. took the loss for Toledo, allowing four runs on three hits. The Mud Hens bullpen was unable to stop the sixth-inning onslaught.

With the win, Rochester (45-27) moved ahead of Memphis in the International League standings based on winning percentage (.625 to .622) with one game left in the first half. Winning the first half would guarantee the Red Wings a place in the International League Championship Series in September. Rochester will finish the series against the Mud Hens on Sunday.

Information gathered from milb.com.

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This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Red Wings take step toward playoffs with win over Toledo Mud Hens