Scranton/Wilkes-Barre’s Jasson Domínguez (24) celebrates with J.C. Escarra (25) after hitting a home run during a game against the Rochester Red Wings at PNC Field in Moosic on Friday. ISAAC DIAZ / STAFF PHOTO
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre’s Anthony Volpe, left, prepares for a pitch during a game against the Rochester Red Wings at PNC Field in Moosic on Friday. ISAAC DIAZ / STAFF PHOTO
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre’s Jasson Domínguez (24) advances to third base during a game against the Rochester Red Wings at PNC Field in Moosic on Friday. ISAAC DIAZ / STAFF PHOTO
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre’s Jasson Domínguez (24) swings at a pitch during a game against the Rochester Red Wings at PNC Field in Moosic on Friday. ISAAC DIAZ / STAFF PHOTO
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre’s Anthony Volpe (7) throws to first base during a game against the Rochester Red Wings at PNC Field in Moosic on Friday. ISAAC DIAZ / STAFF PHOTO
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre’s Oswaldo Cabrera (95) reaches second base during a game against the Rochester Red Wings at PNC Field in Moosic on Friday. ISAAC DIAZ / STAFF PHOTO
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre’s Adam Kloffenstein (49) delivers a pitch during a game against the Rochester Red Wings at PNC Field in Moosic on Friday. ISAAC DIAZ / STAFF PHOTO
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre’s Jasson Domínguez (24) receives high-fives from teammates in the dugout after hitting a home run during a game against the Rochester Red Wings at PNC Field in Moosic on Friday. ISAAC DIAZ / STAFF PHOTO
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre’s Anthony Volpe (7) swings at a pitch during a game against the Rochester Red Wings at PNC Field in Moosic on Friday. ISAAC DIAZ / STAFF PHOTO
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre’s Jasson Domínguez (24) advances to second base during a game against the Rochester Red Wings at PNC Field in Moosic on Friday. ISAAC DIAZ / STAFF PHOTO
Rochester’s Jack Sinclair (39) delivers a pitch during a game against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders at PNC Field in Moosic on Friday. ISAAC DIAZ / STAFF PHOTO
Rochester’s Phillip Glasser (1) swings at a pitch during a game against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders at PNC Field in Moosic on Friday. ISAAC DIAZ / STAFF PHOTO
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Scranton/Wilkes-Barre’s Jasson Domínguez (24) celebrates with J.C. Escarra (25) after hitting a home run during a game against the Rochester Red Wings at PNC Field in Moosic on Friday. ISAAC DIAZ / STAFF PHOTO
MOOSIC — Anthony Volpe and Jasson Domínguez reported to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders after being sent down by the New York Yankees earlier in the week and were in the lineup for Friday night’s game at PNC Field against the Rochester Red Wings.
Both homered in their returns, but it wasn’t enough as Rochester clubbed four home runs for a 13-5 victory before a crowd of 4,750. It is the third straight loss for the RailRiders (23-12, 60-49). Despite the loss, they remain in first place in the International League second-half standings, one-half game in front of the Durham Bulls and Worcester Red Sox and one game ahead of the Indianapolis Indians and St. Paul Saints. Rochester (21-16, 66-44) lurks three games back.
Batting leadoff and playing shortstop, Volpe was 1 for 5 with three strikeouts and a flyout to right field. Domínguez batted second and played left field. He was 2 for 4 with a walk.
“They each had three days off, so it was good to see them go out there and have good at-bats the whole game and be able to hit a homer,” RailRiders manager Shelley Duncan said of Volpe and Domínguez. “It was good for them. Hopefully, it’s something they can build off and carry into the next couple of days.”
On his home run, Volpe hit a 1-0 pitch from Erik Tolman — one of eight Rochester pitchers used in a bullpen game — out to center field 431 feet. Kenedy Corona, who had walked, also scored on the play.
“I got a good fastball, so I just wanted to get on time and put a good swing on it,” Volpe said. “It felt good to contribute.”
Defensively, Volpe turned two double plays and handled two other chances. However, on a slow roller hit by Seaver King with one out in the eighth inning, he charged the ball and threw off-balance wide of first base for a two-base error. It did not hurt the RailRiders, however, as the next two batters were retired.
“I felt good and solid on defense,” Volpe said. “I’ve been taking a ton of ground balls. It’s just great to be out there and compete.”
Duncan said Volpe could see some time at second base, although he said he didn’t know when and would never put Volpe out there until he felt comfortable.
“Right now, we want him to be the best shortstop that he could be and put his energy into that,” Duncan said. “We’ll do the work behind the scenes to get him ready if that opportunity presents itself. It might very well.”
Volpe is willing to play the position.
“I’m here ready to do whatever the organization, wants, sees and needs,” he said. “I’m ready to go.”
As for Friday night’s game, it was over early.
Adam Kloffenstein started for the RailRiders. After retiring Seaver King to open the game, Kloffenstein walked the next five batters to force home two runs. Cayden Wallace then jumped on a 1-1 pitch and sent it 431 feet to the walkway above the bullpens in left field for a grand slam and a 6-0 Rochester lead.
After Volpe’s home run in the third, the RailRiders had a chance for more. Domínguez followed with a single. Max Schuemann singled, sending Domínguez to third. However, the Red Wings cut off the throw to third and caught Schuemann in a rundown for the second out of the inning. The threat ended when J.C. Escarra flied out to center field.
In the fourth, each team scored a run. Kloffenstein loaded the bases in the top-half of the inning on a single, walk and hit by pitch. King then grounded into an RBI fielder’s choice. In the bottom-half, Oswaldo Cabrera reached on a two-base throwing error with one out and scored on a single by Yanquiel Fernandez.
Zach Messinger relieved Kloffenstein and allowed a home run to Yohandy Morales leading off the fifth and one to Maxwell Romero Jr. in the sixth, allowing the Red Wings to extend their lead to 9-3.
Domínguez homered with one out in the bottom of the seventh, a 381-foot blast out to right field to make it 9-4.
“I was trying to have a good at-bat,” Domínguez said. “I got a good slider to hit and I was able to put a good swing on it.
“I feel good. That’s what I have to do. Come down here and try to get better and hopefully get back up there. Just improve all parts of my game. I’ve had a couple of misplays. Just clean that up and try to get better.”
With two on and two outs in the top of the ninth, position player Abrahan Gutierrez came on to pitch for the RailRiders. He allowed an RBI single to Romero and a two-run home run to Leandro Pineda to put Rochester on top, 13-4.
Schuemann singled with one out in the bottom of the ninth, took second and third on defensive indifference and scored on a groundout by Escarra to provide the final margin.
Rehab start for Rodon
When the series continues Saturday at 6:35 p.m. at PNC Field, Yankees pitcher Carlos Rodon will make a rehab start with the RailRiders. He has been sidelined since June 28 with left elbow inflammation.
Although Duncan said after Friday night’s game he hadn’t seen the instructions yet for Rodon, reports say the plan is for the lefthander to throw about 50 pitches.
“We’re going to do what’s needed to get him ready and take care of it on our end,” Duncan said. “It’s always fun to see Carlos.”
Dom Hamel will back up Rodon.
Garver signed
Veteran catcher Mitch Garver signed a minor-league contract with the Yankees on Friday and is expected to join the RailRiders.
Garver, 35, was released earlier this week by the Seattle Mariners after hitting .175 with four home runs in 50 games.
“He hasn’t played in a little bit, so I don’t know what the plan is. Don’t know if there is one,” Duncan said. “I think a lot of people jump to conclusions with where we’re going to send him, what we’re going to do with him exactly. I think he still needs to get into hitting shape and then we’ll see what happens.”
Signing Garver adds a righthanded bat and some depth to the position. Austin Wells and Ali Sanchez are currently with the Yankees, while J.C. Escarra and Christian Bethancourt are with the RailRiders. Bethancourt was signed July 28 by the Yankees after being released by the Iowa Cubs.