Toledo loses lead, game in ninth; Clippers win 5-4
July 5, 2010 - International League (IL1)
Toledo Mud Hens News Release
TOLEDO, Ohio - The Toledo Mud Hens lost, 5-4, to Columbus Monday in heartbreaking fashion. The Hens took a one-run lead into the ninth inning, but gave up two runs to squander its lead.
Toledo has now tied a modern era (1965-present) record with 11 consecutive losses. The Hens also lost 11 straight in 1990 and 1999.
The Clippers got on the board in the most unlikely of fashions as Nick Weglarz hit an inside-the-park-home run in the top of the second. The ball was hit to dead center and bounced straight left off the wall. By the time Wilkin Ramirez ran it down, Weglarz was already rounding third. Lou Marson reached base on an error by Max Leon and was driven in on an RBI double by Cord Phelps to make it 2-0 Columbus.
The Hens came back in the bottom half to take the lead, 3-2. Ryan Strieby led off the festivities with a double. After three consecutive singles by Jeff Frazier, Max Leon and Jon Weber, the game was tied. With the bases loaded, Jeff Larish hit a ground ball that was turned into a third to first double play, allowing Max Leon to score and put the Hens up 3-2.
The Hen lead was short-lived as Columbus came back in the fourth to knot it up at four. Lou Marson reached base on a walk before stealing second. He scored on a ball that was misplayed by Leon.
Toledo retook the lead in the fifth. Justin Henry doubled to lead off the inning and was sacrificed to third on a bunt by Jeff Kunkel. Ramirez followed him up with an RBI single and the Mud Hens were again in business leading 4-3.
Jay Sborz (1-3) came on to close the game in the ninth, but Columbus had other idea. Cord Phelps began the inning by walking. Jose Constanza followed with a walk. After a sac bunt, the Clippers had runners on second and third. Sborz then intentionally walked Jordan Brown to load the bases and set up the double play. Unfortunately, Jared Goedert laced a double to left field and Columbus took a 5-4 lead. The Hens were able to get out of the inning with a double play after the Clippers base runners got in a run down.
Vinnie Pestano came on in the bottom of the ninth to collect his fifth save.
The Hens begin a four-game road trip Tuesday with a 7:05 start at Columbus. They play two at Columbus followed by two in Louisville.
Game Notes
- Justin Henry played first base for only the third time in his career.
- Weglarz's inside-the-park-home run was the first at Fifth Third Field since Toledo's Andres Torres in 2007.
- There have been five ground rule doubles in as many games at Fifth Third Field.
- Brent Dlugach replaced Max Leon in the top of the seventh.
- Jensen Lewis upped his record to 2-0.
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