Indians' offense explodes for nine runs to top Hens

Toledo's attempt at their first three-game win streak since May 15-17 against Louisville was halted by a relentless Indianapolis offense. The Indians carried a 2-1 lead into the fourth inning before posting a combined seven runs between the fifth and sixth.

Toledo's attempt at their first three-game win streak since May 15-17 against Louisville was halted by a relentless Indianapolis offense. The Indians carried a 2-1 lead into the fourth inning before posting a combined seven runs between the fifth and sixth.
Mud Hens starter Chad Bell's team-leading earned run average took a hit Tuesday when he gave up five earned runs over just 3.2 innings. He allowed seven hits and one walk while striking out two.
The Indians, currently first place in the International League West, sent seven men to the plate in the opening frame and took a 2-0 lead early. Shortstop Gift Ngoepe's base on balls paid off when designated hitter Jason Rogers doubled him in. Bell then gave up back-to-back singles to Joey Terdoslavich and Barrett Barnes, but was able to get the final out and avoid additional damage.
But there was much more damage looming. It began when Terdoslavich singled to center to begin the fourth. After a fielder's choice put him out and left Barnes on first, Anderson Feliz doubled to right-center. Now with runners on second and third, Indianapolis catcher Jacob Stallings stroked a double of his own to score both Barnes and Feliz. Stallings moved over to third before being brought in himself on a single by Chris Bostick, thus ending the night for Bell. Righty reliever Victor Alcántara entered and retired Ngoepe to strand the last runner that could potentially count towards Bell.
That one out, however, turned out to be all Alcantara would get. Rogers and Terdoslavich each singled to begin the fifth, and Barnes walked to load the bases. Manager Mike Rojas pulled Alcantara in favor of Dustin Molleken, who would be coming into a game with bases loaded for the second consecutive night. Molleken did his job and got a grounder, but it was misplayed by Efren Navarro at first and allowed Rogers and Terdoslavich to score to make it 7-1 while Barnes advanced to second. Barnes scored on a ground out that moved Feliz to second. He tagged on the ensuing fly out to center fielder Tyler Collins and was brought in when Bostick ripped another single to make it 9-1.
Toledo's first came quickly with two outs in their half of the first. Efren Navarro's double to left-center, one of just two extra-base hits the Hens had all game, got it started. Michael Almanzar took an outside pitch to right field, bringing in Navarro and getting Toledo on the board. The single marked Almanzar's ninth hit in eight games since returning from the disabled list on May 29.
Tyler Collins did his best to cut the deficit in the ninth, blasting a three-run homer to right-center that made it 9-4. Indians reliever Brett McKinney began the ninth by issuing back-to-back walks to Jason Krizan and Argenis Diaz. Collins, in his first game back with the Hens since last season, worked a full count before depositing the ball well beyond the fence in right. McKinney, however, set Miguel Gonzalez, Matt den Dekker, and Omar Infante down in order to stop the budding rally before it could develop into anything further.
James McCann joined the Hens on Tuesday for the first game of a rehab assignment since injuring his hand on May 26. He went 0-for-2 with a walk.
Gonzalez, who usually serves as the Hens' backup catcher, came on to pitch in the top of the ninth in order to conserve arms. His outing made it the first time a Hens position player has pitched since former Toledo infielder Jordanny Valdespin did it in a game against the Indians last season. He pitched a scoreless frame while giving up two hits.
The Hens will look to take the lead in the four-game series with Indianapolis on Wednesday. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m.