Syracuse starter and former Red Wings pitcher Jeremy Cummings on Wednesday thoroughly dominated the team he quit earlier this season, allowing just three hits and one run over eight innings to pitch the Chiefs to an 8-1 win over Rochester.
Cummings allowed one hit through seven innings before giving up a double to Garrett Jones and an RBI single to Chris Heintz in the eighth.
“We didn’t hit the ball hard until the eighth inning,” Wings manager Stan Cliburn said.
Cummings started the season pitching for the Wings, but earlier this month, unhappy with not being promoted to Minnesota, he exercised a release clause in his Wings contract and left the team. He was immediately picked by Toronto and assigned to Syracuse.
Cliburn said Cummings’ performance for the Wings was erratic this season, but the Rochester manager said that when Cummings found his groove and his offense gave him a lead, he was very tough to hit. That’s what happened tonight.
“That’s how he was for us, up and down,” Cliburn said. “Tonight he was on.”
The Chiefs roughed up Rochester starter Dave Gassner, who gave up 10 hits and four runs in five innings to earn the loss and drop his record to 3-12 on the season. His ERA stands at 5.74.
The Wings, meanwhile, were impotent at the plate, posting only three hits all night.
Wednesday’s game was also marked by the promotion of third baseman Brian Buscher to Minnesota. Since being called up from New Britain to Rochester June 21, Buscher hit .313 with six home runs and 20 RBIs with the Wings.
Cliburn said Buscher’s promotion to the Twins was the highlight of the evening for the manager on a night when Rochester highlights for few. Cliburn said he always enjoys giving players the news that they’re going to the Show.
“That’s what being a minor-league manager is all about,” Cliburn said.
The manager said he had been keeping tabs on Buscher since spring training, where he first noticed the third baseman’s potential — potential that was borne out during Buscher’s time in Rochester.
“He came here and did everything I thought he would do, and look where he is now,” Cliburn said.
Buscher said he was speechless when Cliburn delivered the good news.
“I’m overwhelmed with joy,” he said. “I’m also a bit nervous about it. I don’t know what to say. I’m just excited.”
Buscher said he was a little surprised by the promotion, but he added that players always have to be ready when the call comes.
“You never know,” he said. “You’re always a call away. I got my call tonight, and I’ll make the best of it.”
To make room on their roster, the Twins sent outfielder Darnell McDonald to Rochester.
Tonight’s loss snapped a three-game Rochester winning streak. With the defeat, the Wings fall to 56-49. They have two more home games against Syracuse before embarking on a two-game series at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
