After dropping the Columbus Clippers two times in a row at home, the Mud Hens were looking to extend that streak to three -- and their overall winning streak to five -- on Wednesday night.Guided by a strong performance from Anthony Vasquez on the mound and a pair of key
After dropping the Columbus Clippers two times in a row at home, the Mud Hens were looking to extend that streak to three -- and their overall winning streak to five -- on Wednesday night.
Guided by a strong performance from Anthony Vasquez on the mound and a pair of key hits off the bat of Jeimer Candelario, the Mud Hens were able to acheive just that with a 5-1 victory.
Anthony Vasquez got the call for the Mud Hens and was excellent. The left-hander went seven innings and gave up just five hits and one earned run while extending his team lead in strikeouts with four on the day.
Jarrett Grube was his opponent for the Clippers and was a bit shaky. The right-hander lasted six and two-thirds innings, but he allowed nine hits and five earned runs while striking out just three batters.
The Mud Hens were able to get on the board early in this one, starting off with a double by Omar Infante with one out in the top of the first inning. Jeimer Candelario didn't let the base runner go to waste, as he stroked a single to right field that broke the tie and made it 1-0.
Toledo was able to add to the lead in the top of the third inning when Jim Adduci ripped his fourth home run of the season -- one of the solo variety -- to double the Mud Hens lead and make it 2-0.
Columbus was able to mount a comeback in the bottom half of the frame, though. Number eight hitter and right fielder Mike Papi launched his second home run of the season to right field to cut the Mud Hens lead in half.
In the top of the sixth inning, Tyler Collins led the Mud Hens to yet another run. Efren Navarro singled to lead off the inning and moved up to second base on an error by former Mud Hen Josh Wilson. Collins took advantage of the mistake when he came to the plate with one out and ripped a single to right field that scored Navarro and pushed the Hens lead to 3-1.
The Toledo lead grew the very next inning when the Mud Hens loaded the bases on Grube. Matt den Dekker walked and Brendan Ryan doubled while Adduci was intentionally walked. After an 11-pitch at bat, Navarro was able to loft a sacrifice fly that brought the fourth run in. Another single by Candelario scored Ryan and moved the lead to 5-1.
Kyle Ryan entered the game in the eighth inning and struck out a pair of batters to get through without any damage, leading to the ninth inning in which he handed the ball off to Bryan Garcia. As he has done throughout the season at each level he's pitched at, the right-hander got the job done and secured the 5-1 victory; the Mud Hens fifth win in row.
The Mud Hens wrap up their series in Columbus on Thursday night. Daniel Norris is slated to take the hill for Toledo; first pitch is set for 6:35.
