Yanks top Wings

Anthony Swarzak turned in another great start against the leagues top offense, but the slumping Rochester Red Wings dropped a 6-2 contest to first place Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees Friday night at Frontier Field. The Wings have dropped seven straight games, while the Yankees improved to 13-1 for the season. Swarzak entered the game with a 0.82 ERA, allowing only one earned run in 11 innings pitched on the season. He continued his hot streak retiring the first 11 Yankee hitters and 16 of the first 17. Jason Pridie and Dustin Martin both had spectacular catches in the outfield in the top of the first, keeping Swarzak out of trouble. The Wings bats continued their cold streak to start, with only one hit in the first five innings. The Wings have yet to score a run in support of Swarzak this season. Swarzak got into trouble in the sixth, allowing two singles. With two outs and runners on first and second, Todd Linden singled to right, driving in a run and giving Scranton the first lead of the game, 1-0. Shelley Duncan followed with a double to right-center that put the Yankees up 2-0. Swarzak got out of the inning without further damage. In six innings of work Swarzak threw 96 pitches allowing two runs, both earned, on five hits while striking out two and walking one intentionally. The Wings threatened in the bottom half of the sixth. Pridie singled and stole second base, but Matt Tolbert and Luke Hughes both struck out looking, leaving Pridie in scoring position. Lefty Sean Henn entered the game in relief of Swarzak in the seventh, holding the Yankees scoreless while striking out two. The Wings threatened again in the bottom half, as Trevor Plouffe and Alejandro Machado had consecutive two out singles. Matt Macri followed with a walk to load the bases. Drew Butera popped out to second to end the rally, leaving the bases loaded. Bobby Keppel started the eighth for the Wings, allowing five consecutive hits to start the inning, including an Austin Jackson triple to deep right center, expanding the Yankee lead to 6-0. Lefty Mike Gosling came in to relieve Keppel, holding the Yankees at six runs. The Wings offense showed signs of life in the bottom of the ninth. Martin snapped out of a 1-for-16 skid with a single to center field. Plouffe followed with a double, driving in Martin. Macri busted out of a 1-for-15 slide of his own with a triple to deep center, driving home Plouffe. Drew Butera flew out to center, ending the game with a 6-2 loss for the Wings.