
Hicks' Two-Runner Leads Hens to Third Straight Win
April 10, 2017 - International League (IL1)
Toledo Mud Hens News Release
Fans were treated to strong pitching performances from both sides in Monday night's series-opener against the Louisville Bats. Louisville's Tim Adelman and Toledo's William Cuevas turned in effective inning after effective inning, but it was Adelman who would falter first, giving up a two-run bomb to John Hicks in the seventh that would be enough to give Cuevas a win in his first start of the season.
Fans were treated to strong pitching performances from both sides in Monday night's series-opener against the Louisville Bats. Louisville's Tim Adelman and Toledo's William Cuevas turned in effective inning after effective inning, but it was Adelman who would falter first, giving up a two-run bomb to John Hicks in the seventh that would be enough to give Cuevas a win in his first start of the season.
Hicks' first homer of the year came after six full innings of frustration for both offenses. Before that, however, it took until the fourth inning for a baserunner to make it past first. This is when the lone threat to Cuevas' shutout performance presented itself. With one down, Louisville first baseman Sebastian Elizalde roped a triple to right field to come within 90 feet of removing one of the goose eggs in the runs column. Cuevas proceeded to bear down, striking out Brandon Dixon and Jesse Winker to slam the door shut on the possibility of the game's first run being charged to him.
The Hens' closest unsuccessful shot at putting themselves ahead came in the sixth. Omar Infante reached on an error by Elizalde at first, but Jim Adduci grounded into a fielder's choice that forced Infante out at second. Adduci, trying to get a runner back into scoring position, swiped second. It proved to be a moot point, however, as Adelman struck out Steven Moya and Matt Murton to close the frame.
Cuevas then came on for the bottom of the inning and shut the Bats down 1-2-3. He would be done after that, his final line reading no runs on three hits, no walks, and six strikeouts through six innings in his Mud Hens debut.
The lone scoring of the game took place in the blink of an eye. To begin the seventh, Efren Navarro singled up the middle before Hicks, on the first pitch he saw, lined a shot over the center field fence. Hicks now has a team-leading seven runs batted in through the first six games of the year. Adelman went on to get three straight ground outs to end the final inning of a tough-luck losing outing for which he was saddled with the loss.
The remainder of the night belonged to the relievers, who allowed just two hits in three combined innings of work. Lefty Daniel Stumpf worked around a leadoff double in the seventh and was followed by veteran reliever Edward Mujica who handled the eighth. Arcenio Leon entered and set the Bats down in order in the ninth to chalk up the third straight victory for Toledo.
The Hens have two more contests to play against the Bats before returning to Fifth Third Field for their home-opener on Thursday. Tuesday's first pitch in Louisville will be thrown at 6:35 p.m.
• Discuss this story on the International League message board...
International League Stories from April 10, 2017
- Bats Have No Answer, Fall to Mud Hens, 2-0 - Louisville Bats
- Hicks' Two-Runner Leads Hens to Third Straight Win - Toledo Mud Hens
- Bulls Out-Homer Knights to Win Home Opener 7-4 - Durham Bulls
- Three Norfolk Hurlers Combined for a Four-Hit Shutout - Norfolk Tides
- Cessa Pitches RailRiders to Victory in Home Opener - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Tides Shut Down G-Braves, 3-0 - Gwinnett Stripers
- Knights Drop Monday's Contest to Bulls 7-4 - Charlotte Knights
- Chiefs Get First Win as Bats Come Alive - Syracuse Mets
- Wings Drop First Game of Season to Bisons - Rochester Red Wings
- Pigs Look to Avenge Postseason Loss to RailRiders - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- Herd Rumbles on to 4-0 Start with 9-4 Win - Buffalo Bisons
- Bid on Star Wars Night Jerseys Saturday, May 27 - Toledo Mud Hens
- SWB Game Notes - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Red Wings Announce Opening Day Festivities - Rochester Red Wings
- Berrios Named International League Pitcher of the Week - Rochester Red Wings
- Willy Garcia Named IL Batter of the Week - Charlotte Knights
- Buffalo Bisons Game Notes - Buffalo Bisons
- Willy Garcia & Jose Berrios Honored As First International League Players Of The Week For 2017 - IL1
- Weekly Sports League & Franchise Report - OSC Original by Dan Krieger
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.
Other Recent Toledo Mud Hens Stories
- Mud Hens Power Past Red Sox to Win Series Finale
- Four Home Runs and Strong Relief Power Hens Over WooSox
- Baddoo, Navigato Club Home Runs in Loss to WooSox
- Jones Homers in Toledo's First Loss in Eight Games
- Back-To-Back Bombs and Big Defense Fuels Eighth Straight Victory for Toledo

