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Mud Hens outblast Bats 20-8 at Louisville Slugger Field

April 13, 2014

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Toledo Mud Hens jumped out to an early lead as they scored six runs in the top of the first inning and never looked back, ultimately defeating the hometown Bats 20-8 at Louisville Slugger Field.

Starting pitcher David Holmberg (0-2, 13.50) made his second start in a Louisville uniform and failed to get through the first inning. The left-hander was roughed up in only one-third of an inning while allowing six runs on six hits, including five hits for extra bases. Holmberg was charged with his second consecutive loss to start the 2014 season.

Right-handed pitcher Chad Reineke (0-0, 2.08) made his third appearance of the season as he relieved Holmberg and threw 4.2 innings, giving up two runs on three hits with no walks and six strikeouts. Reineke retired the first nine batters he faced in the game.

Toledo starter Derek Hankins (1-1, 5.91) earned the win as he pitched 5.2 innings and gave up five runs (two earned) on seven hits to go along with no walks and two strikeouts.

The Mud Hens were led by left fielder J.D. Martinez, who went 3-for-5 with a pair of two-run home runs and six RBI on the afternoon. Additionally, catcher James McCann was 4-for-5 with three doubles and four RBI on the afternoon.

Louisville chipped away at Toledo's lead with two runs in the bottom of the first and three runs in the bottom of the fifth to cut the Toledo's lead to 8-5, but it wasn't enough to keep up with the Mud Hens offensive surge.

Infielder Ruben Gotay extended his hitting streak to eight games with his double in the first inning. His three-run home run in the fifth was his fourth of the season. Gotay is now hitting .400 (14-for-35) with 10 RBI through eight games played. Also, Felix Perez and Chris Nelson each extended their hitting streaks to seven and five games, respectively.

Veteran catcher Corky Miller even took to the mound Sunday afternoon and gave the Louisville fans reason to cheer despite giving up eight runs on seven hits. It was Miller's seventh pitching appearance in his 17-year career and fourth appearance in the last two seasons.

Twenty-three-year-old catcher Tucker Barnhart had his first multi-hit game in a Louisville uniform and also notched his first home run at the Triple-A level with a ninth-inning blast.

Toledo's 20 runs and 22 hits were both the second most surrendered by Louisville in franchise history - only surpassed by Columbus' 21 runs in 1998 and Charlotte's 23 hits in 2005.

Louisville (5-4) and Toledo (3-7) will play 17 more times this season with the next matchup coming Monday at 6:35 p.m. at Louisville Slugger Field. Louisville's Jeff Francis (2-0, 0.75) will face Toledo's Duane Below (0-0, 3.60).