IL1 Toledo Mud Hens

Clips Hang Tight to Lead and Take Another from Hens

Published on August 10, 2016 under International League (IL1)
Toledo Mud Hens News Release


The Mud Hens dropped a close affair to the Clippers on Wednesday night in a game the Hens were right in but could not seem to push just one more run across. Columbus was able to hold on to their lead, eventually winning 7-5 and taking a 2-0 series lead going into the finale Thursday.

Cesar Ramos got the start for the Hens, and the Clippers got to him early. Though the lefty recorded two quick outs, he gave up three straight singles and a double that put the Hens behind 3-0 after the first. Giovanny Urshela and Jesus Aguilar had base hits to put two men on before Joey Butler singled to center to bring Urshela in. Ronny Rodriguez then doubled to the gap in left-center to plate Aguilar and Butler.

In the third, highly-touted Cleveland Indians prospect Bradley Zimmer essentially created a run on his own. Leading off the inning, the center fielder laid down a bunt that Ramos picked up but was unable to throw him out on. Ramos threw a wild pitch with Yandy Diaz batting that allowed Zimmer to move up to second. Diaz would strike out but, with Urshela at the plate, Zimmer stole third and scored on a wild throw by Hens catcher John Hicks.

The Hens saw a little spark in their offense in the fourth when Dixon Machado poked a solo shot to left to make it 4-1. They rallied for two more in the fifth when Dean Green singled in Hicks and Alex Presley, who reached on a double and walk respectively.

The Clippers would, however, get both of those runs back quite quickly in their half of the sixth. Urshela singled to start the inning, and Aguilar tagged a ball off the scoreboard in left to make it 6-3.

In the bottom of the sixth, Columbus starter Adam Plutko got two quick outs before being removed in favor of Nick Maronde. The lefty-on-lefty matchup did not work, however, as Jordany Valdespin singled and Maronde was replaced with Craig Stammen. Hicks followed with a single of his own. Manager Lloyd McClendon entered Jason Krizan as a pinch hitter, and the recent Double-A Home Run Derby champion answered with an RBI single that scored Valdespin to make it 6-4.

Matt Crouse, who entered for Ramos after the second inning, set the Clippers down 1-2-3 in the eighth to keep the Hens in it. Chad Huffman made it a one-run game in the home half of the seventh, lacing a home run on the second pitch of the inning.

Joe Jimenez entered in the top of the ninth looking to continue his recent success and keep it a close one, but the Clippers found a way to add insurance. Adam Moore popped one in the infield, but JaCoby Jones dropped it as Moore scampered to second. It would prove costly, as a ground out and sacrifice fly allowed Moore to move to third and come home to bring us to the final score of 7-5.

Chad Huffman drew a two-out walk in the ninth, but Shawn Armstrong got Green to fly out to center to end it and afford the Clippers a 2-0 lead in the series. The Hens are back home for the end of the three-game set on Thursday night at 7:05p. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

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International League Stories from August 10, 2016


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