IL1 Toledo Mud Hens

Hens Win Seventh Straight at Fifth Third Field

Published on May 16, 2018 under International League (IL1)
Toledo Mud Hens News Release


TOLEDO, Ohio - The Toledo Mud Hens won their seventh consecutive game within the friendly confines of Fifth Third Field, holding off the Charlotte Knights by a 3-2 margin before a sold-out crowd of 10,500.

Winners in four straight and nine of their last 10 overall, the Mud Hens (25-12) were sparked on offense by Jim Adduci, who finished 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles, two RBI, and a run scored. Jason Krizan went 2-for-4 with two singles and an RBI, while Ronny Rodriguez extended his hitting streak to 12 consecutive games, going 1-for-4 with a single and a run scored.

Johnny Barbato made his first start of the year and tossed three perfect innings, striking out three Charlotte (15-23) hitters in place of scheduled starter Artie Lewicki, who was recalled to Detroit earlier in the day. Caleb Thielbar also fanned three in three shutout innings of relief, scattering three hits for his first victory in a Toledo uniform.

The Mud Hens raced ahead to an early lead, scoring twice in the opening frame. Rodriguez hit a leadoff single into right, advancing to second on a stolen base, and moving to third on a Christin Stewart groundout. Adduci then ripped a double into the gap in right-center to plate Rodriguez and stake Toledo to a 1-0 lead.

Toledo doubled its advantage just two batters later. After Chad Huffman singled into left, Krizan brought him home with a base hit through the right side that gave the Mud Hens a 2-0 edge.

Neither team could push across a run until Charlotte got on the board in the top of the eighth. Juan Perez whacked a one-out double to left before Jacob May doubled into center to trim Toledo's lead to 2-1.

The Mud Hens restored their two-run cushion in the bottom of the frame. Stewart reached base on a leadoff walk, and scored all the way from first on Adduci's double down the left-field line.

Charlotte continued to apply pressure on the Mud Hens, as Matt Skole started the inning by lining a base hit to right. Victor Alcantara induced teo quick outs form Patrick Leonard and Casey Gillaspie, but the rally continued when Jake Elmore grounded a two-out single through the right side to put runners on the corners. Kevan Smith then entered the game as a pinch-hitter and singled into right to bring in Skole to make it a 3-2 ballgame. With the potential tying run in scoring position, manager Doug Mientkiewicz replaced Alcantara with Kevin Comer, who struck Perez out swinging to wrap up the contest.

The Mud Hens return to Fifth Third Field tomorrow morning to conclude their three-game set against Charlotte. First pitch is scheduled for 10:35 a.m.

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International League Stories from May 16, 2018


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