Game Recap | Out of reach

Toledo and Indianapolis met for Game 2 of their six-game series on Wednesday night, where the Hens took control late and cruised to an 11-2 victory.

The Indians came out looking to strike first and avoid the early deficit they faced in yesterday’s game. Mitch Jebb led things off with a sharp line-drive single into right field, followed by a walk from Konnor Griffin. After Jebb advanced to third on a flyout, Jack Brannigan brought him home with a single into left field, giving Indianapolis an early 1-0 lead.

Toledo answered in the bottom of the 2nd to erase the deficit. James Outman continued his strong start to the series, sending a solo homer over the right-field fence to tie the game at 1-1.

The Hens took their first lead in the bottom of the 4th. Corey Julks started things with a double on a line drive to left field and moved up to third on a groundout from Justice Bigbie. Outman once again came through, lifting a sacrifice fly to left field that allowed Julks to score and put Toledo ahead 2-1.

Toledo added another in the 5th, this time getting things started before an out was recorded. Max Burt doubled off the center-field wall and then stole third base. With one out, Jace Jung sent a ball just inside the right-field line, watching it roll all the way to the wall for an RBI double. The Hens extended their lead to 3-1 after five innings.

Then came the 7th, when Toledo broke the game open. Indianapolis used two pitchers in the inning, and Toledo took advantage, drawing six walks — five of them consecutively — along with a hit-by-pitch that forced another run home. After loading the bases, Max Burt stepped into the box and cleared them all with a grand slam. By the time the inning came to an end, 11 Hens had come to the plate and Toledo had turned a two-run game into an 11-1 lead.

The Indians took their final stand in their last at-bats. Mitch Jebb walked with one out, and then with two outs, Rimon Simon doubled on a blooper into shallow left field, allowing Jebb to score. But that’s where the comeback ended, and so did the game.

With the offense taking care of business, Toledo’s pitching staff made sure there was no way back for Indianapolis. Carl Edwards Jr. started the game and gave the Hens five innings, allowing just one run while striking out six. Enmanuel De Jesus followed with 2.1 innings and five strikeouts, before Tyler Mattison and Nick Sandlin handled the rest to close out the night.

Toledo secured the 11-2 win and took a 2-0 lead in the series. The Hens and Indians will meet again tomorrow night for Game 3, with first pitch set for 6:35 p.m.

Notables:

Max Burt

2-4 (HR, 2B, 4 RBI, 2 R, SB)

James Outman

1-2 (HR, HBP, 3 RBI, 2 R)

Carl Edwards Jr.

W, 5.0 IP (5 H, 1 ER, 6 SO)