Mud Hens Stun Indians with Ninth-Inning Rally
July 12, 2018 - International League (IL1)
Toledo Mud Hens News Release
INDIANAPOLIS - With the bases loaded and two outs in the top of the ninth inning, Jason Krizan smashed a bases-clearing double into deep left-center to guide the Toledo Mud Hens to a stunning 5-3 victory over the Indianapolis Indians on Thursday at Victory Field.
Trailing 3-2 entering the top of the ninth, Harold Castro reached on a fielding error to lead off the frame before Jacob Robson grounded a single into right to put runners on first and second with nobody out. Dixon Machado and Christin Stewart both struck out swinging to leave the Mud Hens (50-39) one out away from losing their season-long grip on the West Division lead, but Dawel Lugo kept Toledo alive by drawing a walk to bring the potential tying run 90 feet from home.
The Indians (48-40) used a mound visit to discuss their plan of attack against Krizan, who took the first pitch he faced for a called strike. Krizan then smashed the following pitch into the gap in left-center, scoring Castro, Robson, and Lugo to give Toledo a 5-3 lead, which held on to be the final tally.
Krizan was one of two Toledo batsmen to record three hits, going 3-for-5 with a double, a single, and four RBI. Robson reached base four times as he remained in the leadoff position, finishing 3-for-5 with a trio of singles, a walk, and two runs scored.
Jacob Turner matched a season-high with five strikeouts in six innings of work, allowing three earned runs on six hits and two walks. Zac Reininger was credited with the win after hurling two shutout innings in relief, while Zac Houston retired the Indians in order in the bottom of the ninth for his third save of the campaign.
Indianapolis took advantage of a pair of defensive miscues to grab a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second stanza. Kevin Kramer started the frame with a fly ball that was misjudged by left fielder Christin Stewart, hopping off the front of the warning track and over the fence for a ground-rule double. After Eric Wood drew a two-out walk, Pablo Reyes whacked a line drive over the head of a leaping Mike Gerber and all the way to the wall for a two-run triple.
The Mud Hens decoded Indianapolis starter Alex McRae the second time through the order, breaking through for two runs on four hits in the top of the fourth. Robson and Machado represented Toledo's first baserunners of the contest, contributing back-to-back singles to begin the inning. Lugo then cut the deficit in half with a one-out base hit through the left side to plate Robson, and Krizan quickly evened the score with a line drive into center that drove in Machado.
Indianapolis regained control in the bottom of the fifth, as Reyes launched a one-out solo shot to deep left to make it a 3-2 ballgame. The Indians managed to hold on to their slim advantage until Krizan's ninth-inning heroics, leaving the hosts 1.5 games behind the West Division-leading Mud Hens.
What's Next:
The Mud Hens remain in the Hoosier State on Friday for another showdown with the Indians. First pitch from Victory Field is set for 7:15 p.m.
#RoadToDetroit Report (rankings according to 2018 MLB.com Prospect Watch):
5. OF Christin Stewart: 0-for-5
7. RHP Kyle Funkhouser: DNP
11. OF Mike Gerber: 0-for-5
12. IF Dawel Lugo: 2-for-4, two singles, walk, stolen base, RBI, run
15. RHP Grayson Long: DNP (DL)
16. RHP Bryan Garcia: DNP (DL)
18. LHP Tyler Alexander: DNP
23. LHP Matt Hall: DNP
26. OF Jacob Robson: 3-for-4, three singles, walk, two runs
Hens Notes:
- The result marks the first time the Mud Hens have won when trailing after eight innings, and the first time the Indians have lost when leading after eight innings.
- The Mud Hens have reached the 50-win plateau, marking the fastest the club has reached this mark since the 2008 campaign.
- Robson has hit safely in 10 of his first 11 games in a Toledo uniform, averaging .452 (19-for-42) with four doubles, three home runs, and eight RBI.
- Matt Hall is scheduled to make his Triple-A debut on Sunday against the Indians, while 2018 Eastern League All-Star Kyle Funkhouser is expected to start on Monday versus Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
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