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IL1 Toledo Mud Hens

Rodriguez Homers Twice as Hens Fight Back

April 28, 2018 - International League (IL1)
Toledo Mud Hens News Release


TOLEDO, Ohio - Trailing 5-0 heading into the bottom of the fourth, the Toledo Mud Hens rattled off six unanswered runs in a dramatic 6-5 victory over the Louisville Bats on Saturday at Fifth Third Field.

Ronny Rodriguez paced the Mud Hens (14-6) on offense, going 2-for-3 with a pair of two-run blasts, marking the first time Rodriguez has had a multi-homer game at the Triple-A level since July 30, 2016 with the Columbus Clippers. Chad Huffman also finished 2-for-4 with two doubles, an RBI, and two runs scored.

Toledo's bullpen turned in its best performance of the season, tossing five perfect innings in relief of Josh Turley. Victor Alcantara tied for the team lead with his third win of the year after shutting down the Bats (8-10) in the fifth and sixth innings. Kevin Comer pitched the seventh and eighth before Louis Coleman struck out the side in the ninth for his team-high fifth save of the campaign.

Mason Williams picked up a leadoff walk to begin the contest, but was picked off and caught stealing second base for the game's first out. In all, Turley worked around three first-inning walks to hold the Bats scoreless heading into the bottom of the opening frame.

The Mud Hens hit the ball well in the early stages, but it was Louisville that started the scoring in the top of the fourth. D.J. Peterson ripped a base hit through the left side, scoring when Steve Selsky doubled to left-center to give the Bats a 1-0 lead. Patrick Kivlehan struck out swinging, but the visitors doubled their advantage when Stuart Turner lined a single into right to plate Selsky.

Louisville continued to manufacture runs, as Turner scored on a passed ball before Williams added a sacrifice fly to score Blake Trahan and put the Bats in front by a 4-0 margin. The Bats' fifth run came on a scary sequence, with Mikie Mahtook and Jim Adduci colliding on Senzel's triple to right-center. Tyler Goeddel scored on the play, but Mahtook and Adduci remained in the game.

The Mud Hens clawed their way back with a two-out rally, scoring four runs on four hits in the bottom of the same inning. After Christin Stewart lined a base hit into right, he scored from first when Huffman ripped a double into left to trim the deficit to 5-1. A second run arrived when Jarrod Saltalamacchia singled to shallow right to drive in Huffman. The hosts continued to cut into Louisville's lead, registering two more runs as Rodriguez sent a head-high pitch down the left-field line for his first home run of the campaign.

Toledo finally captured the lead in the bottom of the sixth. With nobody on and one out, Huffman doubled on a ground ball that ricocheted off Senzel's glove at second and rolled slowly into right. Senzel was injured on the play and left the game. After Saltalamacchia struck out swinging, Rodriguez belted his second two-run shot of the evening over the wall in left to give the Mud Hens a 6-5 edge.

The Mud Hens return to Fifth Third Field tomorrow afternoon to wrap up their three-game series against Louisville. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m.

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