IL1 Toledo Mud Hens

Rodriguez Hits Two Homers En Route to Cycle

Published on May 30, 2018 under International League (IL1)
Toledo Mud Hens News Release


SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Offense was not hard to come by as the Toledo Mud Hens defeated the Syracuse Chiefs 12-7. The Hens attack was fueled by a big day from Ronny Rodriguez, who knocked two balls over the fence on his way to hitting for the cycle.

Rodriguez was not alone in his efforts, as Jason Krizan drove in four runs on the strength of a two-run homerun and a double. Christin Stewart and Dawel Lugo also found their way into the RBI column, driving in back to back runs in the eighth inning.

Mud Hens (32-19) starter Josh Turley was able to evade a lot of damage and secure the win, despite walking five batters in as many innings. He looked very composed with runners on base, allowing only two runs to cross the plate. Zac Reininger and Kevin Comer combined to give up five runs across two innings. Kevin Chapman took over with two outs in the eighth inning and went the distance to secure his first save of the season.

It was the Chiefs (25-25) who fired the opening salvo in the bottom of the first inning when Jaff Decker scored on a Moises Sierra single. The Mud Hens answered immediately in the top of the second with a two-run shot off the bat of Krizan. Toledo would take the lead never look back.

Syracuse made things interesting by pulling to within two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning after a two RBI double off the bat of Jacob Wilson. That did not last long as Stewart drove in a run on an error. Lugo followed that up with another RBI to extend the lead to four in the top of the eighth.

Once again, Syracuse made things interesting in the bottom half. Wilson got to the Hens pitching one more time with a two-run homerun off of Comer. That blast pulled the Chiefs within striking distance. However, that was as close as they were going to get.

On a pop up to the second baseman in the top of the ninth, Rodriguez found his way to third to complete his cycle and drive in two more runs in the process. That brought his total to five for the day. He later scored on a Stewart single.

After tight roping out of danger in the eighth, Champman ran back out to close things down in the ninth. The Chiefs were able to get two runners on base, but it was all for not. Champman struck out Jose Marmolejos, and the game was over.

What's Next:

The Mud Hens return to NBT Bank Stadium on Thursday for the rubber match against Syracuse, scheduled for 6:35.

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

10. OF Christin Stewart: 1-for-6, 2 RBI

11. OF Mike Gerber: DNP

12. IF Dawel Lugo: 2-for-6, RBI

15. RHP Grayson Long: DNP (DL)

16. RHP Bryan Garcia: DNP (DL)

Hens Notes:

- With his cycle, Ronnie Rodriguez hit the ninth cycle in MiLB this season. The last cycle for the Mud Hens was hit by Alex Presley on May 17 2017.

- The 17 hits accumulated by the Mud Hens offense set a season high for the team. Previously, the most hits by the Toledo offense was 15 against the Gwinnett Stripers on May 18.

- Toledo ties a season high with eight walks against Syracuse. It last happened against Norfolk on May 25, the last time Turley started a game.

Check out the Toledo Mud Hens Statistics

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International League Stories from May 30, 2018


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