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IL1 Toledo Mud Hens

Late Inning Rally Falls Short in Columbus

April 22, 2016 - International League (IL1)
Toledo Mud Hens News Release


The Hens were back in Columbus on Friday night, as they looked to get return to their winning ways against their in state rival. Taking the ball for Lloyd McClendon's squad was right-handed prospect Michael Fulmer, looking to earn his second win of the season. Fulmer's earned run average coming into Friday night was a minuscule 0.82.

Jesus Aguilar opened the scoring for the Clippers in the top of the first off Fulmer, as he struck his team leading fourth round tripper of the season over the center field wall to put Columbus up 1-0. The Hens countered the scoring with one of their own in the top of third. After Jordany Valdespin reached first on a fielder's choice, Dixon Machado brought him all the way around to score with a well hit double down the left field line, knotting things up at one a piece.

In the fourth it was the Hens' backstop Miguel Gonzalez who continued to stay red hot at the plate, as he put his team out in front with his second home run of the season. Steven Moya also came around to score on the long ball. Gonzalez has made the most against International League pitching this season as the catcher is hitting .385 at the plate.

The back and forth battle continued throughout the ball game as the Clippers knocked Fulmer out of the game in the bottom of the fifth. Fulmer exited after 4.1 innings surrendering six runs on seven hits, striking out seven clippers. The knock out blows came from two, two run home runs off the bat of Giovanny Urshela, and Robbie Grossman as they took a 6-3 lead into the sixth.

A combination of Dustin Molleken, Drake Britton, Michael Crotta, and Jose Valdez were used out of the Hen pen and the relievers kept the clipper lead manageable headed to the the top of the ninth. With closer Shawn Armstrong on to shut the door for the Clippers, the Hens put together an offensive rally. Jordany Valdespin crossed the plate on a Chad Huffman base hit, followed by a Casey McGehee RBI groundout scoring Dixon Machado. With two outs in the inning, the rally was put in the hands of Steven Moya with a runner in scoring position. Moya struck an Armstrong offering hard to short, but the liner was snared by Erik Gonzalez and the Toledo rally came up just short.

Clippers' starter T.J. House earned the victory, as the Hens fall to .500 (6-6) on the young season. The Hens return home Saturday night, as they take on the Charlotte Knights in game one of a three game set. First pitch is set for 5:05 PM. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

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