Hens rally falls short in ninth, Indianapolis win 7-5

Indianapolis scored four times in the ninth inning, breaking a 3-3 tie for a 7-5 win over the Mud Hens Thursday night at Fifth Third Field.

Tied at three after the first three innings, the Indians and Toledo put up zeros across the board for the next five innings before Indianapolis struck for four hits in the ninth.

The Hens rallied for two runs in the bottom of the ninth, but the damage had already been done.

Indianapolis improves to an International League West leading 14-6, while Toledo falls to 8-13.

After allowing a run in each of the first three innings, Toledo starter Derek Hankins settled down, allowing just the three runs on seven hits in five innings of work. He also walked and struck out a pair.

Indianapolis' Gregory Polanco proved why he is one of baseball's top prospects. The right fielder was 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBI.

The Indians took a 4-3 lead in the ninth and then catcher Tony Perez broke it open with a three-run home run down the left field line.

The Hens tried to rally in the ninth with Trevor Crowe and Hernan Perez producing an RBI each, but Perez was stranded on second base before a Tyler Collins groundout closed the game.

Perez finished 2-for-4 as the Hens were out-hit 12-7.

Toledo and Indianapolis wrap up the four-game set Friday night with first pitch set for 7:00 p.m.