IL1 Toledo Mud Hens

Mud Hens Rally to Victory in the Late Innings

Published on July 7, 2018 under International League (IL1)
Toledo Mud Hens News Release


LOUISILLE, Ky. - The Toledo Mud Hens take game two of this series against the Louisville Bats by a score of 5-2.

Mike Gerber led the charge offensively, collecting a homerun. Herlis Rodriguez also came through with an RBI triple late in the game to add some insurance to the lead. But, it was Dawel Lugo who gave the Mud Hens the lead with two sac flies.

Toledo starter Jacob Turner cruised through the first four innings with little issue. However, in the fifth inning he lost his control, walking two along with a double to load the bases. Phillip Ervin came through with a two-run single, tying the game.

The Mud Hens got their runs in back to back innings. Gerber hit a solo shot in the second inning to get the offense going. The next inning, an error allowed Jarrod Saltalamacchia to reach third base. Lugo brought him in with a sac fly.

The game would remain tied until the eighth inning. Pete Kozma worked an eight-pitch walk, followed by a Jacob Robson single and a wild pitch, put Lugo in position to hit another sac fly. That gave the Mud Hens a one run advantage.

That was not all for the Toledo attack. Jason Krizan reached base by way of an error by Nick Longhi, the Bats first baseman. On that play, Robson raced home. The next batter, Rodriguez, nailed a triple to bring home the third run on the inning.

Hunter Cervenka tossed 1.1 perfect innings out of the Hen Pen. Kevin Comer came in with one out in the eighth to finish the inning. Two runners reached base in the eighth, but they were stranded after Comer fanned D.J. Peterson to end the inning.

It was Zac Reininger tasked with closing things down in the ninth. Josh VanMeter hit a ball to deep center, but not deep enough as Gerber made the grab. Chadwick Tromp struck out for out number two, then Hernan Iribarren grounded out to end the game.

What's Next:

The West Division-leading Mud Hens remain in Louisville on Sunday for the final game of their three-game set against the cellar-dwelling Bats. First pitch from Louisville Slugger Field is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.

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

5. OF Christin Stewart: DNP (DL)

11. OF Mike Gerber: 1-for-4, homerun, RBI, run

12. IF Dawel Lugo: 0-for-2, 2 RBI

15. RHP Grayson Long: DNP (DL)

16. RHP Bryan Garcia: DNP (DL)

18. LHP Tyler Alexander: DNP

26. OF Jacob Robson: 2-for-5, 2 singles, run

28. IF Kody Eaves: 1-for-4, single

Hens Notes:

- Major League Baseball on Friday announced IF Dawel Lugo has been selected to participate in the 2018 SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game, to be held at 4 p.m. on July 15 at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.

- Triple-A Baseball on Friday announced DH Chad Huffman will participate in the 2018 Triple-A Home Run Derby on July 9 at Huntington Park in Columbus, Ohio.

- Victor Alcantara pitched a scoreless ninth inning in Detroit's 7-5 loss to the Texas Rangers on Thursday at Comerica Park, making him the 21st player to see game action for both the Tigers and Mud Hens this season.

- With his homer in today's game, Mike Gerber becomes the second Mud Hens batter to reach double digit homeruns. He joins fellow top prospect Christin Stewart.

Check out the Toledo Mud Hens Statistics

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International League Stories from July 7, 2018


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