Mud Hens Come from Behind, Win 6-4
Published on July 6, 2014 under International League (IL1)
Louisville Bats News Release
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - A four-run sixth inning propelled the Toledo Mud Hens past the Louisville Bats by a score of 6-4 on Sunday night at Louisville Slugger Field.
The Bats wasted no time in getting on the scoreboard with two runs on four consecutive singles in the first inning and took a 2-1 lead into the sixth. However, a three-run home run by center fielder Ezequiel Carrera, who finished the game 4-for-5 with three runs, three RBI and three stolen bases, gave Toledo a lead they would not give back. It was only the fifth time this season Louisville failed to maintain a lead past the fifth inning.
Louisville right-hander Brett Marshall (0-5, 10.97) pitched in his longest outing of the season on Sunday. He tossed five and one-third innings while allowing three earned runs on four hits with a season-high seven walks and four strikeouts. All three of Marshall's earned runs came in the fifth inning or later and halted any chance to earn his first win of the season.
Right-hander Nick Christiani relieved Marshall in the sixth and went on to allow the go-ahead home run to Carrera followed by a solo shot to left fielder Tyler Collins.
Opposite Marshall, Toledo righty Drew Verhagen (6-7, 3.66) earned the win. After allowing six singles the first time through the Louisville order, Verhagen settled down nicely and retired 11 of the next 12 batters faced before running into trouble in the sixth inning. The Bats pushed a run across and loaded the bases with one out, but shortstop Kristopher Negron hit a sharp ground ball back to the mound only to result in a 1-2-3 inning-ending double play.
Infielder Rey Navarro extended his hit streak to 14 games with a double in the fourth inning. The 14-game hit streak matches a season high previously reached by infielder Chris Nelson from May 4 to May 18 and makes Navarro the 22nd player in Louisville franchise history to reach a hit streak of 14 or more games.
Additionally, outfielder Donald Lutz pushed his hit streak to eight games with a RBI single in the first inning. He has totaled 10 RBI during the current streak.
Right-hander Kevin Whelan entered the game in the ninth inning and retired the Bats in order to record his 15th save of the season, moving him into a tie for third in the International League.
The two teams will play the second of a four-game series at Louisville Slugger Field at 7:05 p.m. tomorrow. Louisville right-hander Chien-Ming Wang (8-5, 3.43) will take the mound and face Toledo southpaw Robbie Ray (5-3, 2.74).
International League Stories from July 6, 2014
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