Espinal, Gerber power Mud Hens to victory

ALLENTOWN, Pa. - Home runs from Edwin Espinal and Mike Gerber powered the Toledo Mud Hens to a 4-2 victory over the Lehigh Valley IronPigs on Friday at Coca-Cola Park.

In addition to Espinal and Gerber's solo shots, Christin Stewart finished 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI single, while Jim Adduci went 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles and a run scored. Dawel Lugo extended his International League-best hitting streak to 11 consecutive games, going 1-for-4 with a triple and a run scored.
Kyle Dowdy shined in his fourth appearance and third start with the Mud Hens (34-19), striking out five over six shutout innings while scattering a hit and three walks. Making his Triple-A debut, Zac Houston kept Toledo in front before Kevin Chapman wrapped up the contest with a four-out save.
Winners in three straight and four of their last five, the Mud Hens broke the deadlock in the top of the third. Edwin Espinal opened the inning by sending a 2-0 pitch over the wall in dead center for his fourth home run of the season.
Toledo added to its lead with another run in the top of the fourth. Lugo tripled down the right-field line to start the frame, and scored when Stewart ripped a sharp line drive into right to give the Mud Hens a 2-0 advantage.
The Mud Hens used another leadoff home run to open up a three-run cushion, as Gerber whacked a 2-2 pitch deep into center for his third round-tripper of the campaign and first since April 8 at Louisville.
Lehigh Valley (29-24) eventually pulled one back in the seventh stanza when Collin Cowgill lifted a two-out solo home run to left to trim Toledo's lead to 3-1. The IronPigs knocked in a second run in the bottom of the eighth courtesy of back-to-back two-out doubles from Aldon Chambers and Dean Anna.
Holding on to a 3-2 edge entering the top of the ninth, the Mud Hens were able to manufacture another run. Jim Adduci reached on a leadoff double to left, advancing to third on a Jason Krizan groundout. Grayson Greiner then brought Adduci home with a two-out single into center that extended the lead to 4-2.
The IronPigs looked to respond in the bottom of the ninth, with Trevor Plouffe drawing a one-out walk to bring the potential tying run to the plate. However, the rally quickly fizzled out as Cowgill grounded into a 4-3 double play to close out the series opener.
What's Next:
The Mud Hens remain in Pennsylvania on Saturday to continue their three-game set against Lehigh Valley. First pitch from Coca-Cola Park is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.
#RoadToDetroit Report (rankings according to MLB.com 2018 Prospect Watch):
10. OF Christin Stewart: 2-for-4, double, single, RBI
11. OF Mike Gerber: 1-for-4, solo home run
12. IF Dawel Lugo: 1-for-4, triple, run
15. RHP Grayson Long: DNP (DL)
16. RHP Bryan Garcia: DNP (DL)
18. LHP Tyler Alexander: DNP
Hens Notes:
• Stewart has reached base safely in 22 consecutive road games, which stands as the IL's longest active streak.
• Toledo and Lehigh Valley share the IL lead with 55 home runs on the season.
• The Mud Hens are 25-7 when scoring the game's first run.
• Toledo is 32-1 when ahead after seven innings, and a perfect 31-0 when leading after eight innings.
• The Mud Hens are 19-4 when recording 10 or more hits in a single game.