Hens let 5-0 lead slip away in Charlotte on Monday

The Hens' first extra inning affair of the season did not last long as a game winning RBI single by Jason Coats sealed the victory for the Knights in the bottom of the 10th.

The Mud Hens offense was hot from the outset of the game Monday night as they posted runs in the first four innings off of Charlotte starter Chris Beck. Four Hens would post multi-hit games and it looked as though they would cruise with this early lead. Most notably at the plate for the Hens were Daniel Fields and Bryan Holaday whom went (3-6 RBI, 3-4 HR 2 RBI) respectively.

Kyle Ryan turned in 6.2 innings on the bump allowing 4 runs on 6 hits with 2 strikeouts for Toledo.

Although it seemed Charlotte had pratically no answer for Ryan through the first 6 innings, they would claw their way back and cut the Toledo lead to 5-4. No play proved to be more costly than a misplayed foul ball in right field in the bottom of the 7th giving new life to Charlotte right fielder Leury Garcia whom would capitalize, driving in two and cutting the Hens lead to just 1 run . The misplay would knock Ryan out of the game, and Josh Zeid would come on to throw an immaculate 1.1 innings of relief, but surrendered a leadoff HR to Charlotte's Dan Black in the ninth to send the game to extras.

Facing an uphill battle, the Hens' continued to show fight in the top half of the 10th as Xavier Avery drew a leadoff walk and eventually scored on a single by Daniel Fields. But it was the Knights whom would have final say, as back-to-back extra base hits tied the game, and give way to a Jason Coats (3-5 3 RBI) walk-off single to seal the victory for the Knights.

Melvin Mercedes would take the loss as well as the blown save, while Jarrett Casey picked up the win in relief for the Knights.

The Hens are back in action Tuesday night in Charlotte at 7pm.