IL1 Gwinnett Stripers

Mud Hens Edge Stripers 5-3

Published on June 20, 2018 under International League (IL1)
Gwinnett Stripers News Release


LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. - The Toledo Mud Hens withstood several comeback attempts by the Gwinnett Stripers, who ultimately lost 5-3 Wednesday night to the International League's top team.

Toledo jumped out to an early lead against left-hander Luiz Gohara, making his first start with Gwinnett since May 2, as the first four Mud Hens reached base.

Mikie Mahtook reached on an error by first baseman Rio Ruiz to start the game, then moved to third on a Jim Adduci single. Dawel Lugo followed with a two-run double, and Christin Stewart drove him in with a single. Gohara struck out three of the next four batters to end the inning without further damage.

The Stripers got one back in the bottom of the first after Michael Reed hit a two-out single, then scored on a Dustin Peterson double in the left-center gap.

After the rocky first, Gohara (L, 0-3) worked cleanly into the fourth, finishing after 3.1 innings with five hits, three runs (2 earned) and a walk allowed with a season-high seven strikeouts on 69 pitches.

Gwinnett pulled within a run in the fifth after Tyler Smith smacked a one-out triple off the wall in left, then Danny Santana drove him home with a single.

But Toledo got the run back in the next stanza after Jason Hursh loaded the bases with a single and two walks. Miguel Socolovich was called upon to wiggle out of the one-out jam, but he walked Mahtook to give Toledo a 4-2 lead before getting the final two outs.

Again, Gwinnett pulled within one in the eighth after what looked like a promising rally. Phil Gosselin led off with a single and moved to second after Xavier Avery reached on an error. Sean Kazmar Jr. blooped a single over second to score Gosselin and put runners on first and second with no outs. However, Chris Stewart failed to lay a successful sacrifice bunt, Smith grounded to the pitcher and Santana struck out, effectively ending the rally and keeping the score 4-3 in favor of Toledo.

The Mud Hens added an insurance run in the ninth with an Adduci solo home run (7) off Jacob Webb, who struck out four over 2.0 innings.

For Toledo, Tyler Alexander (W, 2-2) went 5.0 innings allowing six hits, two earned runs and a walk with four strikeouts. Paul Voelker and Kevin Comer pitched scoreless innings, while Zac Reininger (S, 4) surrendered a run on two hits over 2.0 innings.

Smith finished 2-for-4 with a run scored and Santana was 2-for-5 with an RBI.

For Toledo, Mahtook was 0-for-2 but walked three times and had an RBI. Adduci was 2-for-5 with the homer and two runs scored.

Gwinnett (31-38) will aim to salvage the series in Thursday's finale behind lefty Kolby Allard (5-2, 2.28 ERA), going for 10 consecutive quality starts. He'll face Toledo (42-28) righty A.J. Ladwig (5-3, 5.52). Tony Schiavone will have the play-by-play call on 97.7 FM and 93.5 FM The Other Side of the River beginning at 11:35 a.m.

Check out the Gwinnett Stripers Statistics

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International League Stories from June 20, 2018


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