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IL1 Toledo Mud Hens

Hens Fall as Bisons Walk off with Series

August 12, 2018 - International League (IL1)
Toledo Mud Hens News Release


BUFFALO, N.Y. - The Toledo Mud Hens lost the rubber match as the Buffalo Bisons won 5-4 in walk-off fashion on Sunday afternoon at Coca-Cola Field.

Chad Huffman kept the Mud Hens (60-58) alive with a solo home run to tie the game at four with one out in the top of the ninth inning. The Bisons (53-63) converted the placed runner into a run in the bottom of the tenth inning and claimed the victory.

Harold Casto and Edwin Espinal each recorded two hits in the loss to lead the Hens.

Buffalo earned runners on first and second with back to back walks to lead off the bottom half of the second inning. Tim Lopes then reached first on an error by Toledo second baseman Dawel Lugo and the bases were loaded. With one out, Jonathan Davis hit a two-RBI single as the Bisons took an early 2-0 lead. Dwight Smith Jr. then smacked a grounder through the middle to bring in two more runs and give Buffalo a 4-0 advantage.

Mud Hens starter Matt Hall found his rhythm after the second inning retiring the side in both the third and fourth innings.

Espinal got Toledo going in the fifth inning with a lead off single. Castro followed suit and the Hens had runners on first and second with no outs. Kade Scivicque then grounded into a 5-3 double play. With two outs, Pete Kozma roped a double into left field that brought Castro in to score. After four and one-half innings the Mud Hens trailed 4-1.

Hunter Cervenka entered the game in the sixth inning in relief of Hall. Hall delivered five innings allowing four runs, three earned, on four hits. Hall also fanned five batters and walked three.

Espinal began the seventh inning with a base hit to center field. Castro then rocketed a double to the left center field gap that scored Espinal. Castro advanced to third on an errant throw home. With one out, Kozma chopped a ball to the right side of the infield that brought in Castro and cut the Toledo deficit to one. The Bisons made a pitching change with the bases empty and two outs. Jacob Robson earned a walk before Lugo was retired and the Mud Hens trailed 4-3 going into the bottom half of the seventh inning.

Cervenka handed the ball over to Paul Voelker after one inning of relief allowing a single hit. Voelker delivered one and one third scoreless and hitless innings, recording one strikeout before handing the ball over to Josh Smoker. Smoker finished the eighth inning with two consecutive strikeouts.

With one out in the ninth inning, Huffman came off the bench as a designated hitter and blasted a 3-1 pitch over the center field fence to tie the game.

Smoker caused the lead off man to fly out to left before handing the ball off to Zac Houston. Smoker recorded two strikeouts and retired all three batters he faced in an inning of work. Houston held off the Bisons in the ninth allowing one hit and punching out one in two-thirds of an inning.

Johnny Barbato entered to pitch the tenth and allowed a double to the first batter he faced as the placed runner came in to score and Buffalo claimed a 5-4 walk-off victory.

What's Next:

The Mud Hens return to Ohio as they host the Syracuse Chiefs in a three-game series at Fifth Third Field. First pitch tomorrow evening is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

#RoadToDetroit Report (rankings according to MLB.com 2018 Prospect Watch):

6. OF Christin Stewart: 0-for-4

9. RHP Kyle Funkhouser: DNP (DL)

14. IF Dawel Lugo: 0-for-5

16. OF Jacob Robson: 1-for-4

20. RHP Bryan Garcia: DNP (DL)

21. LHP Matt Hall: 5.0 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 5 SO, 3 BB

22. LHP Tyler Alexander: DNP

Hens Notes:

- Huffman's pinch-hit home run was the first since Tyler Bortnick completed the task on June 17, 2016 verses Rochester.

- Toledo is now 17-17 in one run games.

- The Hen Pen did not allow a walk while fanning four batters in four plus innings of work.

- The Detroit Tigers on Friday agreed to terms on a Major League contract with RHP Zach McAllister. To create room for McAllister on the 40-man roster, Detroit designated RHP Jacob Turner for assignment.

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