IL1 Toledo Mud Hens

Wilson's Homer Caps off Dramatic Win for Toledo

Published on August 8, 2015 under International League (IL1)
Toledo Mud Hens News Release


For the second straight evening the Toledo Mud Hens' organization was fortunate enough to honor yet another accomplishment in its franchises' storied history. The 2005 Governor's Cup Championship team was honored Saturday night as 2015 marks the the ten year anniversary of the title run. Several former Hens were recognized on the field prior to the game as a highlight video displayed some of the memorable moments from the magical season. Former Hens' players Chris Spurling, Jason Karnuth, and Steve Green were in attendance as well as fan favorites Kevin Hooper and Marcus Thames. The first 2,000 fans were greeted with a commemorative 2005 Curtis Granderson bobblehead to celebrate the occasion.

After the celebration wrapped up Tim Melville took the hill for Toledo, looking to earn his fifth win of the season. The big right hander got off to a hot start on Saturday as he retired the first seven batters that he faced, striking out three over that span.

The Toledo lineup got on the board first off SWB starter Joel De La Cruz, using a bit of the RailRiders medicine in the bottom of the third. With no out and one on Daniel Fields sent a towering home run over the right field wall to bring around Alexi Casilla and take a 2-0 lead. Melville's quick start was interrupted in the fourth by the powerful SWB offense. Ben Gamel came around to score the first run for the RailRiders on a Rob Refsnyder sac fly. The sac was followed by Aaron Judge, as he sent a Melville offering to deep left, tying the game with an RBI double.

Melville settled back down after the rocky fourth, as the right hander continued to mow down the SWB lineup via the strikeout. He exited the game after throwing 6.0 innings surrendering two runs on five hits with seven punchouts. The seven strikeouts marked Melville's season high for 2015. Angell Nesbitt came on in relief, silencing the SWB offense with 2.0 innings of scoreless relief behind Melville's quality start.

With a tied score in the bottom of the eighth Josh Wilson had a flair for the dramatic, as he crushed a Johnny Barbato offering onto Monroe Street for his first home run of the season, bringing around Dixon Machado. The homer was Wilson's first since August 31, 2014 with the Round Rock Express in the PCL. With the 4-2 lead headed into the bottom half Guido Knudson came on to shut the door and earn his 9th save of the season in the dramatic Saturday night win.

The Hens wrap up their week long home stand with the series finale against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Sunday at 6:00PM. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

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International League Stories from August 8, 2015


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