Hens' Ninth-Inning Rally Spoiled by Bats' Walk-Off Single
April 7, 2018 - International League (IL1)
Toledo Mud Hens News Release
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Toledo Mud Hens rallied to tie the score in the top of the ninth, but the Louisville Bats responded with back-to-back singles in the bottom of the frame to escape with a 4-3 decision on Saturday at Louisville Slugger Field.
The Mud Hens (1-1) put together another impressive offensive performance, out-hitting Louisville (1-1) by an 11-7 count. Edwin Espinal finished 3-for-4 with three singles, while Mike Gerber went 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored. Dawel Lugo also recorded a multi-hit effort, going 2-for-5 with a double.
Chad Bell started the game for Toledo and tossed 3.1 innings in his season debut, allowing two hits and one earned run while striking out five. Also making his first appearance of the campaign, Kevin Comer was strong in relief, sending the Bats down in order in the seventh. Mark Montgomery struck out the side in the eighth, but surrendered an earned run in the ninth and was saddled with the loss.
The Mud Hens wasted no time grabbing the lead, recording two runs on three hits in the top of the first. Gerber lined a double to right, and scored when Jim Adduci grounded a base hit into right. Chad Huffman gave Toledo a 2-0 edge when he smashed a double off the base of the right-field wall to plate Adduci.
Louisville got on the board in the bottom half of the opening frame. After Nick Senzel singled up the middle and stole second, Patrick Kivlehan brought him home with a base hit into right to cut the deficit to 2-1.
In the bottom of the fourth, Bell struck out Rosell Herrera before being lifted for Phillippe Aumont , who needed only five pitches to retire Patrick Kivlehan and Sebastian Elizalde.
Toledo held on to its lead until the bottom of the sixth. Alex Blandino drew a leadoff walk, stole second, and eventually advanced to third on a groundout. Herrera gave the Bats a 3-2 advantage with a two-run shot into the right-field bleachers.
The Mud Hens threatened to regain the lead with a two-out rally in the top of the seventh. Gerber singled to third before Lugo doubled to center to put runners on second and third. Adduci was intentionally walked to load the bases, but Huffman's sharp liner was caught by Senzel to end the inning.
Montgomery struck out the side in the bottom of the eighth, and Toledo had the top of the order due up in the ninth. Ronny Rodriguez drew a leadoff walk, advancing to second on a groundout. After Lugo sent a single into right to put runners on the corners, Adduci grounded into a fielder's choice to drive in Rodriguez and even the score at 3-3.
Toledo was denied the opportunity to complete the comeback in extra innings. Elizalde started the bottom of the ninth with a base hit to right and moved up to second on a wild pitch. Tyler Goeddel then singled to right to score Elizalde and even the series.
The Mud Hens look to the take the three-game series tomorrow against the Bats. First pitch from Louisville Slugger Field is scheduled for 2 p.m.
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International League Stories from April 7, 2018
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