Lockhart, Bullpen Dice Bats for Combined Shutout
July 25, 2024 - International League (IL)
Toledo Mud Hens News Release
TOLEDO - The Toledo Mud Hens shutout the Louisville Bats 4-0 on Thursday night at Fifth Third Field.
Lael Lockhart and the "Hen Pen" diced Bats' hitters to the tune of 15 strikeouts in a combined shutout.
Lockhart took the hill for the Mud Hens while Lyon Richardson got the ball for the Bats.
The Mud Hens got rolling right away in the bottom of the first inning, as Justice Bigbie roped an opposite-field two-run double, scoring Spencer Torkelson and Ryan Vilade for an early 2-0 lead.
The Hens found the scoreboard again in the third inning when Akil Baddoo scored on a wild pitch after walking and moving to third on a double by Torkelson.
Lockhart and Richardson continued to dance in-and-out of jams throughout the night.
Richardson finished off the bottom of the fifth inning with a pair of flyouts from Torkelson and Vilade to end his night. Richardson finished with the loss, pitching 5.0 innings, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks with six strikeouts. The loss drops Richardson's record to 1-7 this season.
Lockhart finished his night after inducing a pair of groundouts by Levi Jordan and Tony Kemp to close the top of the sixth inning. Lockhart earned the win, pitching 6.0 innings, allowing just one hit and two walks while striking out nine batters. Lockhart's nine whiff effort tied the most strikeouts in a game this season for a Mud Hens pitcher. The last to achieve the feat was Bryan Sammons back on May 10 against the St. Paul Saints. Lockhart's outing is the fourth rendition, matching Sammons and Hurter (2x). The win was Lockhart's first in AAA this season, moving his record to 1-3.
Justus Sheffield entered to pitch the bottom of the sixth inning for the Bats. Ryan Kreidler walked and stole second base before being stranded.
PJ Poulin took over for the Mud Hens in the top of the seventh inning. Poulin stranded Edwin Rios after a one-out single. That wrapped Poulin's night, allowing one hit with one strikeout. Poulin earned his first AAA hold.
The Hens added on an insurance run in the bottom of the seventh inning when Torkelson brough home Drew Maggi with a sacrifice fly.
Brenan Hanifee entered to pitch the top of the eighth inning for the Mud Hens. Hanifee struck out three batters, stranding a one-out single by Blake Dunn in his 1.0 inning of work.
Sheffield struck out three batters in the bottom of the eighth inning, dancing around a two-out walk of Anthony Bemboom. That wrapped Sheffield's night after 3.0 innings pitched, allowing one run on two hits and two walks with five strikeouts.
Sean Guenther entered to finish it out for the Mud Hens in the top of the ninth inning. Guenther struck out a pair in a perfect ninth inning to slam the door on the Bats and secure the combined 4-0 shutout.
NOTABLES:
Lael Lockhart: W, 6.0 IP, H, 2 BB, 9 K
Justice Bigbie: 1-4, 2 RBI, 2B, 2 K
Spencer Torkelson: 1-2, RBI, 2B, R, BB
Drew Maggi: 2-3, 2B, R, K
PJ Poulin: HLD, 1.0 IP, H, K
Brenan Hanifee: 1.0 IP, H, 3 K
Sean Guenther: 1.0 IP, 2 K
The Mud Hens remain at home for game four of the six-game series against the Louisville Bats tomorrow, July 26, 2024, at Fifth Third Field with first pitch coming at 7:05 p.m.
• Discuss this story on the International League message board...
International League Stories from July 25, 2024
- Burrows Sharp in Return as Indians Win Third in a Row, 7-2 - Indianapolis Indians
- I-Cubs Surrender Third Straight Loss to Indians - Iowa Cubs
- Dobnak Dominates, Saints Lead from Start to Finish in 5-2 Win Over Storm Chasers - St. Paul Saints
- Big Fourth Inning Drives Sounds Over Knights - Nashville Sounds
- Stripers Ride Strong Bullpen Performance, Three-Run Eighth to 6-2 Win Over Durham - Gwinnett Stripers
- Knights Fall to Sounds on Thursday, 6-5 - Charlotte Knights
- Lockhart, Bullpen Dice Bats for Combined Shutout - Toledo Mud Hens
- Memphis Offense Explodes Early, Bullpen Hangs on Late in Win Over Columbus - Memphis Redbirds
- Stripers Hold Off Bulls, 6-2 - Durham Bulls
- Bullpen Squanders Early Lead in WooSox 7-2 Loss to RailRiders - Worcester Red Sox
- Bisons Win Third Straight with 6-4 Win Against Syracuse - Buffalo Bisons
- Bats Shut out 4-0 in Toledo - Louisville Bats
- Warren Keeps RailRiders in it before Bats Erupt in Seventh - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Syracuse Falls Short in 6-4 Loss at Buffalo on Thursday Night - Syracuse Mets
- July 25 Game Notes: Iowa Cubs vs. Indianapolis Indians - Iowa Cubs
- Scott Kingery Homers Twice as 'Pigs Surge Late to Top Red Wings - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- Rochester Red Wings Post-Game Notes - 7.25 - Rochester Red Wings
- SWB Game Notes - July 25 - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Burdi Scheduled to Rehab with SWB - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Bats Spread Joy, Smiles in Visit to Norton Children's Hospital - Louisville Bats
- Tidewater Baseball Shrine to Induct Three in 2024 Class - Norfolk Tides
- Brito's Late Inning Blast Powers Clip Show to Win - Columbus Clippers
- Stripers Homestand Highlights: Princesses & Pirates Take over Coolray Field on August 2 - Gwinnett Stripers
- Jacksonville and Norfolk Postponed Thursday - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Thursday Afternoon's Game vs. Jacksonville Postponed - Norfolk Tides
- Rochester Red Wings Game Notes - July 25 vs. Lehigh Valley - Rochester Red Wings
- Two Big Innings Power IronPigs over Red Wings - 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.
