IL1 Toledo Mud Hens

Collins' Walk-Off Leads Hens to Dramatic Victory

Published on July 19, 2015 under International League (IL1)
Toledo Mud Hens News Release


Sunday night at Fifth Third Field, the Mud Hens ended their five game losing streak in walk-off fashion. Mike Belfiore started on the mound for Toledo, and threw his best outing of the season. Some ninth inning dramatics from the Hens sent the game into extra innings, and then they finished off a 3-2 victory later on in the tenth inning.

Belfiore was lights out on the mound for Toledo. Despite not getting a decision, he dominated the Indianapolis hitters for seven and two thirds innings. In the first inning, he allowed the first three batters of the game to reach. Belfiore then struck out Willy Garcia to get the first out of the game. With one out and the bases loaded, Steve Lombardozzi hit a line drive to left field that Trayvon Robinson caught. At third base, Alen Hanson, one of the fastest players in the International League, tagged up on the catch. Robinson then came up throwing to gun down Hanson at the plate for an outstanding play to keep Indianapolis off the board.

After exiting the game with a runner on third base, Josh Zeid came in and allowed a runner to score on a wild pitch. The Mud Hens responded in a big way in the ninth inning, though. Mike Hessman led off the bottom of the ninth with a home run to straight away center field, tying the game at one. Hessman's home run puts him at 430 career minor league home runs, which is two away from tying Buzz Arlett's record of 432.

In the tenth inning, the Indians took a 2-1 lead courtesy of an RBI triple from Pedro Florimon. However, the Hens would not go quietly in the bottom half of the inning. With one out, Alexi Casilla slapped a single to right field to start the rally. Dixon Machado followed with a walk. In a full count, Tyler Collins drilled a pitch off the top of the right field wall off of Indians' pitcher Yhonathan Barrios. Casilla scored easily, and then Machado beat the relay to the plate with a head first dive to solidify the Hens' walk off victory.

The Mud Hens hit the road for a seven game road trip starting Monday. Toledo takes on the Lehigh Valley IronPigs Monday night at 7:05 p.m.

Check out the Toledo Mud Hens Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



International League Stories from July 19, 2015


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central