IL1 Toledo Mud Hens

Toledo Rally Not Enough in Loss

Published on June 28, 2019 under International League (IL1)
Toledo Mud Hens News Release


The Bulls utilized a five-run third inning to avoid the continuing pursuit of a Stingers comeback. Toledo scored two runs in four separate innings, but it wouldn't be enough.

After striking out a team-high 12 batters in his last start, Tyler Alexander picked up where he left off. In the top of the first on Friday, Alexander struck out the side, allowing a single in the process, to quickly set the pace for the day.

In the Stingers' half of the first, Jacob Robson led off with a single through the left side of the infield. Robson then logged stolen base number 12 of the season, taking second and advancing to third on a throwing error by the catcher. Jordy Mercer would then double down the left field line to score Robson before Dawel Lugo would join him on the base paths after being hit by a pitch. Mercer and Lugo would then both move up on a fly ball to left field, putting runners at second and third with one out for Toledo. A Dustin Peterson to shortstop would then score Lugo, moving the score to 2-0.

After Alexander struck out two more in the top of the second, the Stingers stayed active at the plate in the bottom half. With one out on the board, Daz Cameron singled through the left side of the infield, then stealing second to put himself in scoring position. However, that would be as far as Cameron would get in the inning.

The Bulls would add their first run of the game in the top of the third, sparking a five-run rally. To begin the inning, Jason Coats sent a pitch over the right field wall and off of the Frickers building for a solo home run, his eleventh of the season, to cut the score to 2-1. After two outs, Kean Wong would walk followed by a Nick Solak single to put two runners on for Durham. Nate Lowe would then single to right field to score Wong, tying the game at two. Durham would take the lead with Jake Smolinski doubling to left field, scoring Solak. Both Lowe and Smolinski would then score on a single to center by Michael Perez, closing the inning with a 5-2 score in favor of Durham.

In the Stingers' half of the third, Willi Castro logged a single to right field with two outs, but that would be all the action of the inning for Toledo.

At the start of the fourth Toledo made a change on the mound, calling on Caleb Thielbar out of the pen. Over three innings, Alexander allowed five runs on six hits and one walk despite striking out seven.

For Durham, Coats would get on base to start the fourth with a single after homering in the third. After two fly balls to center field, Solak would also single to put two on for Durham, but a third fly ball would end the half of the inning.

With one out in the bottom of the fourth, Jake Rogers provided a boost towards the bottom of the order, knocking a single to left-center. Cameron would then join him on the base paths with a single up the middle. However, the Stingers wouldn't be able to capitalize in the inning.

In the top of the fifth, Lowe began with a single followed by another Smolinski double to give Durham runners at second and third with no outs. A sacrifice fly to left field by Perez would allow Lowe to score and Smolinski to move to third. Next, Joe McCarthy would walk to put runners at the corners. Another single by Coats would score Smolinski for another run. Dalton Kelly would join in with a single to score McCarthy to increase the lead. After a ground out, Wong would be hit by a pitch to load the bases with two outs, but a strikeout would end the inning.

To begin the Stingers' half of the fifth, Jordy Mercer began with a walk, the first leadoff base runner for Toledo since the first inning. Then, Lugo launched a towering two-run home to left field, his fourth with Toledo, to cut the lead in half, 8-4. After recording an out, the Bulls made a change on the mound, putting shortstop Jake Cronenworth on to pitch, accompanied by a few other changes in the field to account for the change.

After the pitching change, Peterson reached on a throwing error by the third basemen. Rogers would then walk after a lineout to give Toledo two runners with two outs. However, a groundout would end the inning, bringing Durham's starter, Aaron Slegers line to be 4.1 innings, seven hits, four runs, one walk, three strikeouts and one hit batter.

Bryan Garcia would enter the game for Toledo in the sixth inning, replacing Thielbar who tossed two innings, giving up six hits, three runs, one walk and one hit batter while striking out one.

With one out in the inning, Smolinski doubled to left field, his third straight double of the game. Smolinski would then move up to third on a fly ball to center, but a strikeout would end the inning.

In the bottom of the sixth with one out, Robson legged out a double to shallow right-center, showcasing his speed. Robson would move up to third with Mercer reaching on a fielding error to give Toledo runners at the corners. A sacrifice fly off the bat of Lugo to deep center would allow Robson to score, followed by a walk to Castro, ending Cronenworth's day on the mound.

Cole Sulser would take the mound, accompanied by other changes in the field. To welcome Sulser, Peterson laced a single to center for another RBI, cutting the lead to 8-6. Sulser would later be replaced by Luis Santos.

In the top of the seventh, the Bulls added another insurance run, coming in the form of a solo shot off the bat of Kelly, his first home run with Durham this season. After recording two strikeouts in the inning, Garcia would exit for Toledo with Jose Manuel Fernandez taking his place on the bump. Garcia's final line would be 1.2 innings, allowing one run on two hits while striking out three. Fernandez would log a strikeout to end the inning.

To begin the bottom of the seventh, Rogers singled through the left side of the infield. After a deep fly ball to right field, Danny Woodrow would single to right-center to put two on with one out. A groundball up the middle would be stopped by Sulser on the mound for an out, but would advance the runners to second and third. Mercer would single again to log two more RBI, scoring Rogers and Woodrow, bringing the score to just 9-8 Durham.

In the top of the eighth, Solak doubled off the center field wall for the Bulls. After a strikeout, Smolinski reached on an error after popping up in the infield followed by a groundout to first to put runners at second and third with two outs for pinch-hitter Emilio Bonifacio, who would fly out to end the inning.

At the top of the ninth Zac Reininger entered to replaced Fernandez, who went 1.1 innings, giving up one hit while striking out two. Reininger was welcomed by a Coats single through the right side of the infield before striking out Kelly. He would also get the next two batters out to go to the bottom of the ninth.

After recording an out and a walk in the bottom of the ninth, Santos was replaced on the mound by Hoby Milner. With Milner on the mound, Woodrow would single up the middle to put two on for the Stingers. However, a strikeout and fly out would end the game.

What's Next:

Toledo will remain home until July 3, playing Durham again on Saturday and Sunday before facing Columbus. Saturday's game is scheduled for a 7:05 p.m. first pitch. For the Stingers' Drew VerHagen is set to take the mound, while the Bulls will send Ryan Merritt to the bump. Saturday will continue Toledo's Military Appreciation Weekend. Additionally, Muddy and Spike's Inflatable Theme Park will return to Hensville prior to the game with postgame fireworks and a ballpark campout. More details can be found at mudhens.com.

#RoadToDetroit Report (rankings according to MLB.com 2019 Prospect Watch):

5. OF Daz Cameron: 2 for 4

6. RHP Beau Burrows: DNP

7. IF Willi Castro: 1 for 4

10. RHP Kyle Funkhouser: DNP

12. C Jake Rogers: 2 for 4

16. OF Jacob Robson: 2 for 6, 2B

18. RHP Bryan Garcia: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K

19. OF Danny Woodrow: 2 for 5

22. RHP John Schreiber: DNP

25. LHP Gregory Soto: DNP

26. RHP Sandy Baez: DNP (IL)

27. LHP Matt Hall: DNP

28. IF/OF Dustin Peterson: 1 for 5, RBI

Stingers' Stats:

- Prior to the start of Friday's game, Victor Reyes was called up to join the Detroit Tigers. The move comes after the Tigers placed Spencer Turnbull on the IL.

- Jake Rogers was selected to play in the 2019 Future's Game as part of the MLB All-Star festivities.

- Jake Cronenworth is the second position player to pitch against Toledo this month. Ryan Flaherty previously pitched on June 5 in Columbus for the Clippers.

Check out the Toledo Mud Hens Statistics

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International League Stories from June 28, 2019


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