For the sixth time in the young season, the Toledo Mud Hens were forced to play extra innings. Steven Moya hit a huge home run in the top of the twelfth inning which led to a 6-3 Hens win.
For the sixth time in the young season, the Toledo Mud Hens were forced to play extra innings. Steven Moya hit a huge home run in the top of the twelfth inning which led to a 6-3 Hens win.
The two teams combined for 29 strikeouts between the pitching staffs. Toledo starter Warwick Saupold threw the first 5.2 innings, giving up six hits, two runs, two walks, and struck out eight.
Jason Krizan had a huge day at the plate, finishing 4-for-5, with two runs scored. Omar Infante added three hits, an RBI, and a run. JaCoby Jones was held hitless for the first time in his last nine contests dating back to May 3.
Durham jumped out to an early lead against Saupold as Mallex Smith homered in the first inning. A Jake Bauers double in the third scored Willy Adames and put the Bulls up 2-0 early.
John Hicks put the Hens on the board in the fifth inning with a home run the opposite way. Krizan reached on a double and then scored on Infante's base hit up the middle to tie the game at 2-2.
The Hens took its first lead of the game in the sixth when Efren Navarro brough home Argenis Diaz with a line drive single to right. That lead would hold on until the ninth inning.
The Toledo bullpen was strong in relief of Saupold, firing 6.1 innings, allowing just one run. But that one run was a big one, as Arcenio Leon blew his first save of the season when Shane Peterson homered off him in a pinch-hitting role to tie the game and force extra innings.
Both teams went down in order in the tenth and eleventh innings before the Hens finally broke the game open in the twelfth. Jason Krizan and Infante started the inning with back-to-back singles. Moya followed with a three-run blasé to right-center to put Toledo up 6-3. The home run was the third in as many games for the big lefty bat.
Jeff Ferrell throw the final 2.0 innings for the Hens to secure the win. Logan Kensing throw 1.1 shutout innings and Daniel Stump and Edward Mujica combined for a scoreless inning.
In Game 2 of the series in Durham, the Hens will send Drew VerHagen to the hill for a 6:35 scheduled first pitch.
