IL1 Toledo Mud Hens

Rodriguez Extends Hit Streak, Hens Win Series

Published on May 20, 2018 under International League (IL1)
Toledo Mud Hens News Release


TOLEDO, Ohio - Ronny Rodriguez drove in three runs and extended his International League-leading hitting streak to 16 consecutive games as the Toledo Mud Hens defeated the Gwinnett Stripers 5-1 on Sunday at Fifth Third Field.

Josh Turley picked up his fourth win of the year for the Mud Hens (28-13), striking out a season-high 10 batters in five innings of work, surrendering an unearned run on two hits and four walks. Paul Voelker added two hitless frames in relief before Caleb Thielbar and Johnny Barbato each pitched a perfect inning.

Rodriguez continued to shine at the plate, going 1-for-3 with a sacrifice fly and a two-run double. Edwin Espinal finished 2-for-3 with two singles and a pair of runs scored, while Harold Castro went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run and a walk.

The Mud Hens broke the scoreless tie with a run in the bottom of the third. Kenny Wilson and Castro picked up back-to-back walks to put runners on first and second with one out. After both runners advanced a base on an errant pickoff attempt, Rodriguez sliced a sacrifice fly into right to plate Wilson and give Toledo a 1-0 lead.

Gwinnett (16-25) answered back in the top of the fifth, quickly filling the bases with nobody out. Danny Santana struck out swinging, but Austin Riley drew a bases-loaded walk to plate former Mud Hen Xavier Avery to knot the score at 1-1. Turley limited the damage, striking out Carlos Franco before Sean Kazmar Jr. lined out to third to retire the side.

Toledo recaptured the lead with a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame. Espinal ripped a leadoff single up the middle, and advanced to second when Wilson sent a base hit into shallow right-center. After Castro grounded out to move both runners into scoring position, Rodriguez brought Espinal and Wilson home with a two-out, two-run double to right that put the Mud Hens in front by a 3-1 margin.

The Mud Hens wrapped up the scoring with two more runs in bottom of the seventh. Espinal led off the inning with a single through the right side, and scored when Castro lifted a two-run shot over the wall in right to extend the lead to 5-1, which held on to be the final tally. Toledo's bullpen shut the door on Gwinnett, retiring the final 11 batters it faced.

What's Next:

The Mud Hens take to the road on Monday to open a four-game series against the Columbus Clippers. First pitch from Huntington Park is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.

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

10. OF Christin Stewart - 1-for-4, 1 1B

11. OF Mike Gerber - DNP (DL)

12. IF Dawel Lugo - 0-for-4

15. RHP Grayson Long - DNP (DL)

16. RHP Bryan Garcia - DNP (DL)

29. IF Kody Eaves - DNP

Hens Notes:

- The Mud Hens are 15-1 when scoring five or more runs this season.

- Toledo is 20-4 when scoring the game's first run.

- The Mud Hens are 26-1 when leading after seven innings, and are also 26-1 when leading or tied after eight innings.

- The Mud Hens matched a season-low by allowing two hits in the series finale. Toledo also surrendered a pair of hits in a 3-0 win versus Columbus on May 9.

- Of the 23 games played at Fifth Third Field this year, 13 have been played in 2:30 or less, including eight of the last 10 contests.

Check out the Toledo Mud Hens Statistics

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International League Stories from May 20, 2018


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