Farmer's Fantastic Outing Not Enough to Top Iron Pigs
April 23, 2017 - International League (IL1)
Toledo Mud Hens News Release
In a series that has seen rainouts, postponments and doubleheaders, the Mud Hens were looking to call it even with the Iron Pigs in a Sunday matinee game in Lehigh Valley.
Despite a strong start from Buck Farmer a few hits that were scattered by the offense, they were no match for Lehigh Valley starter Jake Thompson, who allowed just three hits over seven innings. Powered by a home run from catcher Jorge Alfaro in the fourth, the Iron Pigs captured a 1-0 victory and a series win.
Farmer started for Toledo and was excellent once again, going seven strong and allowing just the one run while fanning five opposing batters.
Thompson, a former Detroit Tigers second round pick in 2008 before being traded to the Texas Rangers in a package for Joakim Soria, started for Lehigh Valley. After an improved third start, Thompson's fourth outing of the year was his best, going 7 innings without any runs and tallied 7 strikeouts.
Entering the game with a sparkling 14.90 ERA, Thompson struck out Alex Presley to start the game but was almost taken deep by the next batter, Omar Infante. Infante hit one deep to left field, but Nick Williams scaled the wall and brought it back to hold the game scoreless.
Farmer, still in pursuit of his first win of the season, got into a groove early by retiring the Iron Pigs 1-2-3 in the bottom half of the first. Thompson matched him in the top of the second and in the second half of that frame, Farmer was scoreless once again and even added a pair of strikeouts.
The third inning was highlighted by a pair of fantastic defensive plays from both clubs. Bryan Holaday led off for Toledo and was robbed of potential extra bases after his line drive was snared out of the air by the third baseman Taylor Featherston.
Not to be outdone by their opposition, the Mud Hens answered right back with a great play of their own to lead off the next inning. Lehigh Valley second baseman Jesmuel Valentin roped a fly ball to left but Steven Moya was able to sprint over and grab it before it reached the ground.
Later in the third, Holaday continued his strong work behind the plate. After throwing out two runners in the first game of the series, Holaday caught Roman Quinn trying to steal second to end the inning and keep it 0-0.
Thompson mowed through the Mud Hens with 1-2-3 once again and after a flyout to start the bottom of the fourth the game was finally broken open. Iron Pigs catcher Jorge Alfaro turned on an offering from Farmer and put it over the wall in right field to make it 1-0.
With two more strikeouts in the fifth, Thompson continued his no-hit bid while Farmer continued to work through the Lehigh Valley offense with a another quick inning of his own.
The Mud Hens were finally able to break onto the box score in the top of the sixth, as Holaday snapped his 0-20 slump with a single to right field that ended Thompson's no hitter. David Lough moved him up to second with a groundout, but he was stranded there and the score stayed 1-0.
After an Alfaro single in the bottom of the sixth, the Iron Pigs were a few feet away from adding to their lead. Dylan Cozins struck a ball that carried to the warning track in right field, but Moya safely came down with it for a loud out number two and after a popout, the frame had closed.
Toledo made noise again in the top of the seventh, as Infante reached on a seeing-eye single and after a James Loney fielder's choice and a Michael Almanzar infield single there were runners on first and second with two outs. In what could have put the Mud Hens in the lead, Moya clubbed a ball to right field but just missed it and it fell easily into the outfielder's mitt.
A 1-2-3 inning by Farmer set the Mud Hens up with another opportunity in the top of the eighth, this time against Iron Pigs reliever Pat Venditte. The dual-handed pitcher induced a groundout from Holaday as a righty, switched over to strikeout David Lough as a lefty and returned to the right side to get Brendan Ryan to flyout to center.
Logan Kensing took over for Toledo in the eighth and following a great defensive play by Brendan Ryan and a corresponding grab by Omar Infante he was able to collect two quick outs. Two singles chased him from the game however, but Mike Zagurski was able to record the third out in his second apperance for the Mud Hens.
Pedro Beato came on for Lehigh Valley in the ninth and quickly dispatched the first two Toledo hitters, but James Loney forced a walk to get the tying run on base with two outs. An Efren Navarro flyout and the game was over.
The Mud Hens have the day off on Monday, but return home on Tuesday to take on the Charlotte Knights. First pitch is at 6:35.
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International League Stories from April 23, 2017
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