Fister leads the Hens to victory!

After suffering a left costochondral strain (ribcage) on April 7, Detroit Tiger RHP Doug Fister led the Mud Hens to a 5-3 victory in his rehab start Wednesday night. Fister had a commanding performance in a limited 68 pitch start. He tossed four innings of shutout baseball. Additionally, he struck out five while allowing just two hits and one walk.

The Hens wasted no time scoring. In the first inning, Ryan Strieby clobbered a two-run scoreboard over the left field scoreboard.

Toledo tacked on two more runs in the second. Justin Henry lined a two-run single toward center to extend the Hens lead 4-0.

Then in the third, Omir Santos skied a RBI sacrifice fly to right to add the Hens third run.

Once Fister was taken out at the start of the fifth, the PawSox attacked the Hen bullpen. LHP Austin Wood surrendered three runs. The first was a Nate Spears home run that crashed into the second floor of the Fricker's building. Then, Daniel Nava slapped a two-run triple off of RHP Zach Miner. However, both runs were charged to Wood.

Following the three-run fifth, the Hens relievers settled down. RHP Jose Ortega earned the win by providing two shutout relief innings. RHP Chris Bootcheck came in for the ninth inning and picked up his fifth save of the season.

The Hens continue their series against Pawtucket Thursday night. LHP Casey Crosby is the scheduled starter.

Game Notes

• The Detroit Tigers traded for Doug Fister on July 30, 2011.
• After joining the Tigers in 2011, Fister went 8-1.
• Fister was the American League pitcher of the month in September 2011.