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Toledo Mud Hens

Madris Hits Two Home Runs and Splits the Series vs the Indians

May 19, 2024 - International League (IL)
Toledo Mud Hens News Release


Game One

The day started off hot, but it wasn't only the sun that was on fire, Jace Jung started the first inning off with a home run (and his 8th on the season) and a run for the Toledo Mud Hens to take the lead early on. Kenta Maeda used that early lead and started the bottom of the first, to strike out the first hitter for the Indians. The rest of the inning ended when Maeda struck out another batter and Justice Bigbie caught a pop fly in right field.

The game was close, even this early on, and many players were hitting the ball but there were also many plays made defensively. There was plenty of baseball to enjoy and the day had just started. The score remained one for Toledo and one for Indianapolis in the middle of the second inning.

At the top of the third inning, Parker Meadows singled on a hit to right field and stole second base, for the fourth time this season. Bigbie had a nice single to third base and moved Meadows to third on a close call, but he almost fell on the ball. He was called safe by just a finger on the bag. Akil Baddoo seeks some action as he drilled a line drive just short of the fence for a double and a run-in by Meadows. The Mud Hens were no longer tied with the Indians and were up by one at this point.

The homeruns were keeping the Mud Hens satisfied and Bligh Madris wanted his chance. At the top of the fourth inning, he obliterated the baseball on the cusp of leaving the stadium and added another run for the Mud Hens. This was Madris' fifth home run on the season, and he ran into home base proud.

Although the Mud Hens had a position player pitching the last few innings of the previous game, they did utilize Bryce Tassin's pitching today, and he replaced Maeda in the bottom of the fourth. Tassin earned his spot as he struck out two batters and Madris was able to snag the ball for the third out at first base and we moved onto the fifth inning. With Justyn-Henry Malloy and Jung on first and second, Bigbie takes his opportunity and hits a grounder to third base and reaches second base due to a fielding error. Malloy and Jung were able to hustle home for another two runs and the Mud Hens remained on top.

Mason Englert came out to pitch during the bottom of the fifth inning and struck out an Indianapolis Indian and the inning was over after the 6-4-3 double play by Andrew Navigato, Buddy Kennedy, and Bligh Madris.

Meadows walked to first to start off the sixth inning, but Malloy followed that with a fly ball home run to right field to bring in two more runs. The score was eight to one and the Mud Hens kept the lead.

At the top of the seventh inning, the Hens were still hungry for more. Kennedy, Navigato, and Meadows walked, with zero outs. Malloy was out on a sacrifice fly and an RBI to bring in Kennedy. Bigbie didn't settle he shot a line drive to the left fielder to bring in Navigato, as well. The Mud Hens were up by nine and were able to hold the Indians for a very convincing win. It was well deserved, and they were ready for game number two on the day.

Game Two

Game two was sunny and hot and the last game of this series. In the bottom of the first inning, the defense had their heads in the game for a 4-6-3 double play by Riley Unroe, Navigato, and Hiura.

The home runs didn't stop in the first game. Madris hit a second home run on the day and his sixth on the season, to center field. The fans were happy as they got another chance at a souvenir baseball.

Another homerun was added for the Mud Hens during the top of the third inning. Ryan Vilade cranked out a homer straight to center and beyond the fence, into the bushes. The Mud Hens were on top again with a score of three to two.

The game became more interesting when the score tied up. The Hens were still in it though, as Bigbie made a smooth play in left field when he caught a pop fly and threw it into the infield for a close call.

Unroe stayed in the battle though, he fought with a hit and a pop fly to right field in a sweet spot where neither right fielder nor first baseman could manage to catch it and Unroe found his place on first base. He led the top of the fifth inning with entertainment because he stole second base quickly after his pop fly. Unfortunately, the entertainment didn't earn the Mud Hens any runs this inning, though.

A nice hot shot drive just right of the second base earned Jung a single to start off the sixth inning but later the Indians managed to steal the lead. The Mud Hens had one more opportunity to defend themselves and remain victorious for the day. In the seventh inning, Anthony Bemboom doubled on a smoked ground ball to the right fielder who couldn't manage to grab the ball in time. Bemboom moved to third base when Navigato hit a pop fly and was called out. But no worries, because Bemboom was able to score when Unroe smacked a sharp fly ball to left field, this was Unroe's third double this season.

The Mud Hens fell just short of the Indians in game two to split the series. The Hens play the Indians again later this summer but for now, you can catch them on the road again against Louisville at 6:35 pm Tuesday.

Notables:

Game One:

Malloy (1-3, 3RBI, 2R, HR)

Jung (2-4, 2R, RBI, HR)

Madris (1-4, RBI, HR)

Game Two:

Vilade (2-3, 2RBI, HR)

Unroe (2-3, RBI)

Madris (1-3, RBI, HR)

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International League Stories from May 19, 2024


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