Hens gain edge over Knights

Mike Rabelo and Dustan Mohr hit back-to-back homers as the Toledo Mud Hens defeated the Charlotte Knights, 6-2, on Friday to take a 2-1 lead in their International League playoff series.

Rabelo and Mohr blasted one-out solo shots to spark a five-run second inning for the Mud Hens, who dropped Wednesday's opener, 5-0, before bouncing back with a 6-2 victory on Thursday.

"We knew it was going to be a battle," Rabelo said. "We're going to win or we're going home."

Brent Dlugach delivered a two-out RBI single later in the frame and Ryan Raburn capped it with a two-run shot off starter Heath Phillips (0-1), the league's Most Valuable Pitcher.

Josh Phelps opened the third with his second postseason homer and the Mud Hens' fourth, setting the franchise's modern-era playoff record. Toledo led the league with 152 homers during the season.

Eulogio De La Cruz (1-0) struck out a season-high 11 over seven strong innings in his second Triple-A start. The 22-year-old right-hander gave up two runs on six hits and a walk.

Promoted from Double-A Erie on Sept. 1, De La Cruz allowed three runs on four hits over 2 1/3 frames against Columbus in his Toledo debut.

"He's really turned himself into a great pitcher. He's learned to pitch instead of throw," said Rabelo, who caught Friday's game and is De La Cruz's roommate.

Jason Karnuth and Bobby Seay combined on a scoreless eighth before Lee Gardner worked a 1-2-3 ninth for the defending Governors' Cup champions.

Former Mud Hen Ernie Young drilled a two-run blast in the fourth and Jorge Velandia and Angel Gonzalez collected two hits apiece for the Knights.

Phillips (0-1), just back from the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Cuba, surrendered six runs on seven hits over 2 1/3 innings. He struck out one and did not issue a walk.

Charlotte reliever Stephen Randolph left in the ninth with an arm injury before facing a batter.

Game 4 is Saturday at 7:15 p.m. ET in Charlotte.