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Rochester Red Wings Game Story Archives - April
Promotions and reunions highlight Wings homestand
By Shawn Krest
April 30, 2003
He’s a Craftsman: Todd Sears was promoted to the
Twins on April 29, culminating a big week for the first
baseman. Sears was named International League
Batter-of-the-Week for the week ending April 27, on the
strength of his .387 average and 13 RBI. Sears will
replace Twins infielder Denny Hocking, who was placed on
the fifteen day disabled list retroactive to April 22.
With a vacancy at first base, all eyes in Rochester
turned to New Britain, where prospect Justin Morneau was
hitting .329 with 6 home runs and 13 RBI. Morneau’s
promotion to Rochester was announced after the Wings’
April 29 game against Buffalo.
Old Wings vs. New Wings: Eleven former Red Wings
returned to Frontier Field on April 27 and 28 as the
Ottawa Lynx, Baltimore’s new AAA farm team, made their
first trip to Rochester since the offseason franchise
shuffle. There was more at stake than just two games in
the standings, as Red Wings GM Dan Mason has a friendly
wager with his Ottawa counterpart Kyle Bostwick. Mason
and Bostwick have both guaranteed a win in the season
series, and the losing General Manager will serve as the
winning team’s bat boy for a future game. The early
returns don’t look good for Mason. The teams split the
two games in Rochester, but the Wings lost a pair in
Ottawa earlier in the month. Former Red Wing Sean
Douglass has earned the win in two of Ottawa’s victories
against his former team. Shortstop Eddy Garabito and
second baseman Brian Roberts led the offensive charge
against their former team.
Lynx missing Rochester: Douglass, Garabito, and
outfielder Darnell McDonald signed autographs and caught
up with Rochester fans prior to both games. Roberts had
a frostier reaction, saying “yeah, right” when fans told
him they missed him this season. Players complained
about the difficulties family and friends are having
getting visas to visit the players in their new Canadian
home. The strict policies of new Orioles farm director
Doc Rodgers, including restrictions on family visits and
a requirement for players to wear their socks knee-high,
old-school style, were also unpopular.
LuRod making most of starting job: Alex Prieto’s
wrist injury has given Luis Rodriguez extended playing
time at second base. Prieto may need to change his name
to Pipp, as Rodriguez has excelled in his absence. Going
into the April 29 game, Rodriguez was second on the team
with a .338 average. His .848 OPS (on base percentage
plus slugging percentage) ranked third behind right
fielder Michael Restovich (1.006) and catcher Brandon
Marsters (.905).
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