IL1 Toledo Mud Hens

Hens Spoil Five Run Lead in Series Opener to Clippers

Published on August 24, 2015 under International League (IL1)
Toledo Mud Hens News Release


The Hens were back in Toledo on Monday night to kick off a short three game series with their in state rival the Columbus Clippers at Fifth Third Field. Toledo was coming off a win on Sunday afternoon in Norfolk pulling off a 6-2 victory. The road trip also saw a plethora of roster moves made by the Hens as late August has taken a hit on every level in the Detroit Tigers organization. Taking the hill on the cool Monday night was Thad Weber, one of the most consistent arms in the rotation during the 2015 campaign.

Clippers' starter Jordan Cooper kept the Hens hitless until the third when Trayvon Robinson led off the inning with a base knock followed by a sucessful hit and run executed by Alexi Casilla. However, with runners at first and third and one down Cooper escaped the threat sending down both Dixon Machado and Steven Moya in order. But in the bottom of the fourth Cooper wasn't so lucky as Manny Pina squared up the righty, hitting his fourth home run of the season and putting the first run of the game on the board. The bats weren't done there as Alexi Casilla struck a two run single to right bringing around Dean Green and Corey Jones as the Hens took a 3-0 lead. The inning did not get any prettier for Cooper as right fielder Steven Moya found a hole between second and third sending a two run single to right, and forcing the Columbus right hander to the showers.

On the other side, Thad Weber cruised through the Clipper lineup in innings one through four keeping Columbus scoreless until the top of the fifth when Audy Ciraco brought home Erik Gonzalez after his leadoff triple to start the inning. With the score knotted at 5-1 in the seventh, the Clippers forced Weber out of the game despite a quality start. Audy Ciriaco tagged Weber once again this time with a two run homer to left and closed the gap to 5-3.

The quality start by Weber was for not, as Rafael Dolis walked the bases loaded in the eighth and gave way to Joe Mantiply after just 0.2 innings pitched. With the bases chucked full, Michael Choice slammed a bases clearing double off Mantiply to the right field gap as the Clippers took their first lead of the game. Headed into the bottom of the ninth the Hens still trailed by one as Clippers' closer Carlos Marmol came on for the save. The offense went down quietly off Marmol and the game went to the second place Clippers.

The two squads are back in action on Tuesday night, first pitch set for 6:30 PM.

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International League Stories from August 24, 2015


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