Mud Hens Win Season Opener at Louisville
April 7, 2018 - International League (IL1)
Toledo Mud Hens News Release
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Toledo Mud Hens started the 2018 season on a winning note, holding off the Louisville Bats 6-4 on Friday at Louisville Slugger Field.
Doug Mientkiewicz was rewarded with a win in his debut as manager of the Mud Hens (1-0). The result continues Toledo's recent dominance over Louisville (0-1), having compiled a 16-6 record against the Bats last season.
The Mud Hens recorded 10 hits in their season opener, with the top of the order doing the most damage. Mike Gerber reached base four times, going 3-for-4 with a game-tying solo home run, a double, a walk, and two RBI. Batting in the leadoff slot, Ronny Rodriguez finished 2-for-5 with a double and three RBIs. Louisville was limited to eight hits in the contest and left 11 runners on base.
Toledo's bullpen was strong in relief of Ryan Carpenter , tossing 5.2 innings and allowing one earned run on three hits and a walk while striking out seven. Victor Alcantara pitched 2.1 shutout innings to earn the win, while Blaine Hardy and Johnny Barbato each tallied a pair of strikeouts. Zac Heininger entered the game in the ninth and picked up a hard-fought save.
Louisville started the scoring in the bottom of the first. Alex Blandino was hit by a pitch to lead off the frame and advanced to second on a groundout. Rosell Herrera then lined a base hit up the middle to drive in Blandino and give the Bats an early 1-0 lead.
The Mud Hens captured their first lead of the season, scoring twice in the top of the third to grab a 2-1 advantage. Edwin Espinal recorded the Mud Hens' opening hit of the season with a leadoff single into right before Pete Kozma drew a one-out walk. Toledo made its breakthrough when Rodriguez lined a double into center to plate Espinal and Kozma.
The back-and-forth affair continued into the bottom of the third as Louisville responded with a pair of runs to gain a 3-2 lead. The Bats also had a golden opportunity to break the game open in the fourth with runners on first and second and one out. However, Alcantara entered in relief and needed just four pitches to record the final two outs and get out of the jam.
Toledo quickly restored parity in the top of the fifth, as Gerber sent a two-out solo shot over the right-field wall to even the score at 3-3. In the sixth, the Mud Hens posted three more runs to take the lead for good. Christin Stewart gave Toledo a 4-3 edge when his solo blast cleared the wall in right-center. The Mud Hens kept the line moving, as Rodriguez singled to drive in Espinal before Gerber whacked a double into left to plate Kozma to give the visitors a commanding 6-3 lead.
Louisville did not go away quietly, at one stage putting the tying run in scoring position in the ninth. In the end, Heininger showed his resolve, striking out Brandon Dixon to secure a two-run victory.
The Mud Hens remain in Louisville for game two of the series on Saturday. First pitch from Louisville Slugger Field is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
• Discuss this story on the International League message board...
International League Stories from April 7, 2018
- Indians Blank Clippers Behind Eppler's Excellence - Indianapolis Indians
- Hens' Ninth-Inning Rally Spoiled by Bats' Walk-Off Single - Toledo Mud Hens
- Bats Walk-Off Mud Hens, 4-3 - Louisville Bats
- Robles Makes Presence Known in Chiefs 4-3 Win Saturday - Syracuse Mets
- Syracuse Edges RailRiders 4-3 - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Pigs Take Opener in Pawtucket 3-1 - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- Game Information: Indianapolis Indians (0-1) vs. Columbus Clippers (1-0) - Indianapolis Indians
- Elias Cruises in Relief in Opening Day Loss - Pawtucket Red Sox
- Pigs Take Opener in Pawtucket 3-1 - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- Columbus Game Notes - Columbus Clippers
- Bisons/Red Wings Postponed Again Saturday - Buffalo Bisons
- SWB RailRiders Game Notes - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Louisville Bats Start Time Moved to 5:30 PM Saturday - Louisville Bats
- Red Wings, Bisons Postponed Saturday - Rochester Red Wings
- Gwinnett Stripers Postponed in Norfolk Saturday - Gwinnett Stripers
- Tides and Gwinnett Postponed Saturday - Norfolk Tides
- Knights Postponed on Saturday in Durham, NC - Charlotte Knights
- Bulls and Knights Postponed on Saturday - Durham Bulls
- Bisons Game Notes - Buffalo at Rochester (3:05 p.m.) - Buffalo Bisons
- Mud Hens Win Season Opener at Louisville - Toledo Mud Hens
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
