IL1 Toledo Mud Hens

Mud Hens Ninth Inning Rally Falls Short

Published on July 26, 2018 under International League (IL1)
Toledo Mud Hens News Release


DURHAM, N.C. - The Toledo Mud Hens dropped the final game of the series to the Durham Bulls at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

Despite a first inning explosion, and a ninth inning rally, the Mud Hens were not able to salvage game three of this series. Durham swept this series, keeping Toledo in second place in the IL West in consecutive days for the first time this year.

Toledo starter Tyler Alexander did not look as bad as his line suggests. He was very efficient through six innings, with the Bulls scoring four runs all in one inning. Two runs scored due to doubles by Jason Coats and Andrew Velazquez that barely landed in front of Christin Stewart. Singles from Mac James and Kean Wong, plus an error on Dawel Lugo, allowed two more runs to score.

The other two runs surrendered by Alexander came in the seventh inning. Durham collected three straight hits, and it was the third by Velazquez that drove in a run. The second run scored on a sacrifice fly by James, which spelled the end for Alexander's day.

The starter for Durham, Zach Lee, spun a gem. The Mud Hens were able to get to him in the first for two runs. Lugo drove in Jacob Robson with a single, then Stewart drove in Lugo. After the first, however, the offense fell quiet.

In fact, the Mud Hens would not have another base runner until the seventh inning, when Mikie Mahtook was granted first on a catcher's interference call. Mike Gerber would supply the first hit right after. That was it for the Hens offense in the seventh, though.

When their half of the eighth inning rolled around, Toledo took a more patient approach. Reliever Jordan Harrison walked Robson and Dixon Machado with one out. Jason Krizan worked a full count, but wound up grounding out to the pitcher. That gave Lugo an RBI chance with two outs. A groundout to short ended the inning.

With three outs to go, Stewart was robbed of a leadoff hit. Mahtook, however, was not. Then Gerber doubled to put two runners in scoring position. Jarrod Saltalamacchia was also had a hit taken away, but that did drive in Mahtook. That would be it for the Mud Hen rally, as the Bulls completed the sweep.

What's Next:

The Mud Hens look to get back in the win column on Friday as they travel to Norfolk to take on the Tides. First pitch from Harbor Park Stadium is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

#RoadToDetroit Report (rankings according to MLB.com 2018 Prospect Watch):

6. OF Christin Stewart: 1-for-4, single, RBI

9. RHP Kyle Funkhouser: DNP (DL)

13. IF Dawel Lugo: 1-for-4, single, RBI, run

15. OF Jacob Robson: 1-for-3, single, run, walk

19. RHP Bryan Garcia: DNP (DL)

20. LHP Matt Hall: DNP

21. LHP Tyler Alexander: 6.1 IP, 10 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO

25. OF Mike Gerber: 2-for-4, single, double

Hens Notes:

- With the loss, the Mud Hens now sit in second place for consecutive days. That is the first time this season that has happened.

- Through his first 12 appearacnes with Toledo, Hunter Cervenka has an ERA of 0.00. Whenadded to his five appearances with Lakeland and Erie, his Detroit organization ERA is still 0.00.

- The last time the Mud Hens had three players record 10 or more home runs in a single season was the 2015 campaign, when Steven Moya, Mike Hessman, and Jefry Marte each eclipsed double-digits.

- Toledo pitchers have not issued a walk in two straight games.

Check out the Toledo Mud Hens Statistics

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International League Stories from July 26, 2018


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