Joe Rizzo Walks Off Bisons with Two-Run Homer
June 10, 2023 - International League (IL)
Toledo Mud Hens News Release
Joe Rizzo played the hero tonight for the Toledo Mud Hens with a walk off home run in the bottom of the ninth to defeat the Buffalo Bisons 7-5. Toledo advances to 26-35 with the win, as Buffalo falls to 28-34.
Matt Wisler started the game for Toledo and was used as an opener. He retired each of the first three batters he faced, and was replaced in the second inning for Brenan Hanifee, the traditional starter. Hanifee pitched four more shutout innings, gave up four hits, no walks, and struck out two. Rony Garcia gave up a run in his 1.1 innings of work, and Brendan White pitched another 1.2 shutout innings with three strikeouts.
Andre Lipcius got the Hens on the board in the fourth inning with a solo home run, his fifth of the year. The next inning, Brendon Davis and Parker Meadows hit back-to-back RBI doubles to give the Hens a 3-0 lead. In the sixth, Brendon Davis picked up another RBI hit, this time scoring two with a bases loaded single.
The Hens had a 5-1 lead going into the bottom of the ninth inning. Miguel Diaz came in to close out the game but ran into trouble. The Bisons hit three straight doubles to start the inning and, after a walk to Cam Eden, had the tying run on first base with no outs. Tanner Morris attempted to bunt the runners over but popped it up to third baseman Joe Rizzo, who caught it and threw back to second base for the double play. Another walk put the tying run on once again, and down their final out, Rafael Lantigua hit the Bisons fourth double of the inning to score two and tie the game.
The Hens entered the ninth inning with no interest in giving the Bisons another chance in extra innings. With two outs, Andre Lipcius hit an infield single, and on the very next pitch, Joe Rizzo hit an opposite field walk-off homer to left field to win the game.
It was Rizzo's first game as a Mud Hen, having just been traded to Detroit from Miami for cash considerations a few days prior. It was also the first home run of his career at the AAA level, having only played 11 AAA games before tonight. The 25-year-old began his career with Seattle and hit a career high 21 home runs last year for AA Arkansas.
The series finale between Toledo and Buffalo is scheduled for 2:05 P.M. tomorrow afternoon at Fifth Third Field.
Notables:
Brendon Davis: 2-3, 2B, R, 3 RBI, BB
Joe Rizzo: 2-5, HR, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI
Andre Lipcius: 2-5, HR, 2 R, RBI
Corey Joyce: 1-2, 3B, R, 2 HBP, SB
Brenan Hanifee: 4.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
Brendan White: H, 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
International League Stories from June 10, 2023
- Maeda Sharp in Rehab, Saints Fall to I-Cubs 9-3 - St. Paul Saints
- Iowa Evens Series with Second Straight Win - Iowa Cubs
- Omaha Wins 5th Straight Game Over Indy as Blanco Breaks Chasers Steal Record - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Koperniak Clubs Ninth Inning Homer in Loss to Durham - Memphis Redbirds
- Bats Win Fifth Straight Against Columbus on Saturday Night - Louisville Bats
- RailRiders Win One, Lose One - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Joe Rizzo Walks Off Bisons with Two-Run Homer - Toledo Mud Hens
- Bulls Outslug Redbirds 12-4 - Durham Bulls
- Andújar, Rodríguez Lock in Hitting Streaks in Indians Loss - Indianapolis Indians
- Bisons Lose to Mud Hens on Walk-Off Saturday - Buffalo Bisons
- Tides Split Doubleheader against RailRiders - Norfolk Tides
- Syracuse Drops Both Halves of Saturday Doubleheader against Lehigh Valley - Syracuse Mets
- IronPigs Sweep Doubleheader from Mets to Take Series - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- WooSox Sweep Doubleheader, Hernandez Walks Off Game Two - Worcester Red Sox
- Gwinnett Cruises to Fifth Straight Win as Wall Enjoys Terrific Night - Gwinnett Stripers
- Wings Drop Both Games of Twin-Bill in Worcester - Rochester Red Wings
- Knights Fall to Stripers 6-2 on Saturday Night - Charlotte Knights
- Jacksonville and Nashville Suspended Saturday Night - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Sounds and Jumbo Shrimp Suspended in Jacksonville - Nashville Sounds
- Game Information: Omaha Storm Chasers (27-32) vs. Indianapolis Indians 28-32) - Indianapolis Indians
- St. Paul Saints Game Info 6-10 vs. Iowa - St. Paul Saints
- WooSox Scholars Class of 2023 Inducted on the Field at Polar Park Today - Worcester Red Sox
- Saints Add Depth with Anthony Prato - St. Paul Saints
- June 10 Game Notes: Iowa Cubs at St. Paul Saints - Iowa Cubs
- SWB Game Notes - June 10 - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Rochester Red Wings Game Notes - June 10 at Worcester - Rochester Red Wings
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.
