Mud Hens win series finale with Clippers, 5-3!

Toledo pitcher Andy Oliver earned his first win of the 2012 season on Monday night, throwing six innings with seven strike outs and just two earned runs. Ryan Strieby and Brad Eldred provided the fireworks from the plate for the Mud Hens, each with a homer in the 5-3 win over the Clippers.

Columbus starter, Toru Murata, lasted four innings giving up three earned runs on five hits. Kyle Landis came in on relief for Murata but gave up two runs in just three innings.

The Hens got off to a hot start, grabbing the early lead with a moon shot from Strieby, which carried well over the center field wall. Second baseman Eric Patterson and outfielder Jerad Head each added to the lead with sacrifice flies in the bottom of the third and fourth innings.

As Oliver continued to roll through the Columbus line-up, the Toledo bats stretched the lead as Brad Eldred blasted his ninth home run of the season over the center field wall to make it 5-0.

Oliver ran into trouble in the seventh as he walked the first two batters, causing manager Phil Nevin to call on Matt Hoffman to get Toledo out of the jam. However, the Clippers capitalized on a Mud Hen error, a sacrifice fly and a wild pitch to cut the lead to just two runs.

Brayan Villarreal and Chris Bootcheck worked the final three innings, giving up no runs, giving Toledo the narrow victory.

The Hens and Clippers open their series on Tuesday night in Columbus with first pitch scheduled for 6:35 p.m.

Game Notes

• The Mud Hens won two out of three in the short home stand with the Clippers.
• Chris Bootcheck was credited with this second save of the season.
• Brooks Brown (0-0, 1.93 ERA) is scheduled to start for Toledo on Tuesday.