Hens can't overcome Tides' fast start, fall 5-4

The Mud Hens couldn't overcome a fast start by the Norfolk Tides, and ultimately fell in the series finale, 5-4, Friday night at Fifth Third Field.

Toledo starter Jair Jurrjens got off to a slow start, allowing four runs in the first two innings and forcing the Hens to play catch up the entire game.

Toledo began an effort to chip away at Norfolk's lead immediately, as Nick Castellanos blasted a first inning solo-shot over the left field fence, his 14th home run of the season. Castellanos would score again in the fourth on a Jordan Lennerton double, cutting the lead to 4-2.

The Tides scored once more in the seventh, and held a 5-2 advantage entering the ninth inning. But the Hens wouldn't go away quietly, and resolved to rally once more. With two outs and a man on second, Danny Dorn put one over the fence for his 24th home run of the season to make it a one-run ballgame. It was too little, too late though for the Hens, as Ben Guez struck out in the following at bat.

Despite the slow start, Jurrjens was able to churn out 6 2/3 innings of work, the most he's pitched in four starts with Toledo this season. The 27-year-old righty was tagged with a loss.

The Mud Hens begin a four-game series with Gwinnett on Saturday. RHP Jon Link (0-4, 9.00 ERA) is scheduled to take the mound for Toledo.