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Opening week has come and gone, and after playing a four game home and home series against the Buffalo Bisons it’s safe to say that at 1-3, the Rochester Red Wings are not where they had hoped to be.

The First Three Games

In the two games in Buffalo and the home opener in Rochester offense was the biggest problem. As previously stated in Red Wings Season Preview, scoring runs was going to be tough for Rochester to do. Being outscored 24-11 in 3 games, that appears a little deceiving. In the first game the Wings scored 7 runs, and scored just 4 runs in the next two. The most alarming stat was the .125 batting average (3 for 20) with runners in scoring position.

It’s unfair to put all the blame on the offense though, with a 6.35 combined ERA for the starters (Walters, Gibson, and Martis) and a bullpen ERA of a staggering 13.25. Even if this team had the greatest offense to ever come through the International League, trying to score 8 runs a game is impossible.

One of the few pitching highlights was Friday’s start by Kyle Gibson. Gibson pitched five innings, gave up four hits, one run and struck out four.

Offensively the three players that did not disappoint on offense were Oswaldo Arcia, Chris Colabello and Mark Sobolewski. In three games they combined to hit .364 with 3 home runs and 7 RBI’s.

The New Week Begins

Sunday’s version of the Rochester Red Wings was something that people have been waiting to see from the start. In the first two innings they scored 10 runs on eight hits, and gave starting pitcher Virgil Vasquez a lot of run support to work with early on.

Vasquez went 6 innings, giving up four runs on eight hits; all four of the runs allowed were solo home runs.

Oswaldo Arcia, Chris Colabello and Clete Thomas combined to go 10-13 with two home runs and nine RBI’s, Thomas accounted for five of those RBI’s.

What’s Ahead?

The Red Wings head to Scranton to play three against the Yankees. In 2012, Rochester was 6-10 against the Yankees, losing five of their last six games against SWB. After their three game series against the Yankees, they head to Pawtucket to play four games against the Red Sox, in which they went 7-9 last year and 3-5 at McCoy Stadium.

Arcia can hit, he's got a hell of a swing. But, and you don't hear about this much, he must have a hell of an arm. Three assists already. All at second base. Or, is he getting assists from bone-headed runners at 2B? Either way, I've seen his arm ranked as average, but in the box score, it looks like more than that. What's the skinny?

From Mark Anderson:

Arm: Arm strength varies but consistently shows above-average arm. Some throws will dip to average range and others will pump at plus level. Average release. Enough arm for right field. High 50. Grade – 50/50

Scouting Report: Oswaldo Arcia (OF) | Baseball Prospect Nation

The Wings are no longer sharing their ballpark with Scranton. I think that had to be kind of a negative last year.

I think Arcia has a pretty good arm, nothing earth shattering though. I'd be leaning more towards boneheaded plays in this instance, however the ability to throw guys out is definitely there.

Sharing the field with the Yankees last year was tough, for the field more than the team. They did essentially get 8 more home games last year by Scranton/WB playing at Frontier Field though. It was also tough for fans... with over 100 games at the ballpark attendance suffered a bit. I remember games last year with 500 people or less which is a shame, it's a great park to see a game.

Sharing the field with the Yankees last year was tough, for the field more than the team. They did essentially get 8 more home games last year by Scranton/WB playing at Frontier Field though. It was also tough for fans... with over 100 games at the ballpark attendance suffered a bit. I remember games last year with 500 people or less which is a shame, it's a great park to see a game.

I had the field condition in mind, which I would think would be kind of a bummer to come home to. Also, I don't know how completely a home team clears out its locker room when going on a road trip, but knowing another team will be moving in as you vacate seems like a downer too. I'm not saying they shouldn't be professional about it; just that it must seem like a weight was lifted for the guys who were returning to the team this season.