Hen House rocks in Thursday night victory
The Hens returned home on Thursday night as they took on the Columbus Clippers in game one of a quick two game series. Headed into Thursday Toledo had been on the wrong side of the season series with a 5 - 13 record. Myles Jaye took the ball on 'Elvis Presley Tribute Night' as the Hens wore their bright gold jerseys and black pants and were all shook up in the win.
The first place Clippers and their veteran starter Toru Murata didn't intimidate the Toledo offense as they got off to a hot start in the second when Chad Huffman led off the frame with his 27th double of the season, and advanced to third on a JaCoby Jones fielder's choice. Jason Krizan cashed in with Huffman in scoring position plating him on a seeing eyed single to center. With Jones at 3rd and one gone Toledo catcher John Hicks recorded an RBI with a single to center fielder Bradley Zimmer making it 2-0 after the second.
Myles Jaye was the story on the bump Thursday night. Jaye took the ball coming off a start in which he went 7.0 strong innings against the Clippers on August 20th. Facing a very familiar lineup Jaye shined as he cruised through the first three innings facing just two over the minimum, allowing a lone hit to Giovanny Urshela. The dominance continued into the beautiful Toledo evening as Jaye racked up a season tying high of eight striekouts.
Jaye's outing continued to be padded by the heart of the Toledo order as Jose Iglesias led off the bottom of the third with a scorching double to the gap in right center. The two bagger was followed with a high fly ball of the bat of Dean Green that appeared to have left the building, however it rang off the metal barrier in left field for another double plating Iglesias and making it 3-0.
In the top of the seventh the Clippers lineup finally broke through off Jaye, as he allowed three of the first four base runners to reach safely and Columbus was on the board after an RBI single off the bat of Guillermo Quiroz. The right hander's night came to a close after 6 1/3 of dominance on the mound, allowing just one run on three hits and striking out eight Clippers en route to his first Toledo win. Dustin Molleken was summoned from the Hen pen with one out and two on in the seventh and induced an inning ending double play to keep the lead intact.
Molleken put in 1 2/3 of scoreless relief giving way to Preston Guilmet in the ninth to shut the door. Guilmet however was unable to do so loading the bases and putting the tying run at the plate with two outs. With Yhoxian Medina at the dish Joe Jimenez was summoned to record the one out save and did so sucessfully recording a flyout to center and earning the save.
Iglesias Update : It has been rumored within the Detroit Organization that SS Jose Iglesias will return to the big club on Friday and he looked more than ready after Thursday night's performance with the Hens. The slick infielder flashed some leather on a few exceptional plays in the field while also going 2-for-4 at the plate with a double. Iglesias exited the game after his single to lead off the seventh, as Argenis Diaz came on to pinch run.
Toledo takes on Columbus in game two on Friday as Jordan Zimmerman makes his second rehab start in a Hens' uniform. Zimmerman and the Tigers have planned on the right hander making 2-3 starts in Triple-A with a projected return to the Detroit rotation on Sept. 10. First pitch is set for 7:05 PM.