Mud Hens Rout G-Braves, 9-1

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA - After being held to one-run on three hits on by Cody Martin on Wednesday night, the Toledo Mud Hens (39-42) pounded out 16 hits and scored nine runs in a 9-1 rout of the Gwinnett Braves (38-41) on Thursday at Coolray Field.

Toledo took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Tyler Collins (11) belted a two-run home run off Daniel Rodriguez to start the scoring.

The Mud Hens added three more runs on three hits in the second inning. The first run of the frame came on an RBI double by Trevor Crowe, while the other two scored on a fielding error by shortstop Ozzie Martinez, extending the lead to 5-0.

Toledo was back at it in the fifth, scoring two more runs on three hits. Mike Hessman and James McCann hit back-to-back singles to start the inning. After a strikeout, Crowe walked to load the bases and Wade Gaynor connected for a two-run single to push the lead to 7-0.

Rodriguez (L, 4-9) would be knocked out of the game after the fifth inning. He went 5.0 innings, allowing seven runs, five earned on eight hits. The left-hander walked four and struck out five in his ninth loss of the year.

Collins struck again in the sixth inning, connecting for his second two-run homer (12) of the night. His blast off reliever Kameron Loe extended the lead to 9-0.

Gwinnett's only bright spot came in the seventh inning. Brandon Boggs (5) belted a solo homer deep to right field off Toledo starter Drew VerHagen to end the shutout bid.

However, that would be the lone blemish for VerHagen (W, 4-7), who worked 7.0 innings of one-run baseball. He allowed four hits and struck out four, snapping a two-game losing streak. Melvin Mercedes went the rest of the way, adding 2.0 scoreless, one-hit innings.

Gwinnett was held to seven hits on the night. Boggs went 2-for-4 with the home run and one RBI, while Christian Bethancourt went 2-for-3.

Collins went 3-for-5 with two homers and four RBIs for the Mud Hens. McCann and Ben Guez both added three-hit nights.

The Gwinnett Braves and the Toledo Mud Hens conclude the four-game series at Coolray Field on Friday night, first pitch scheduled for 7:05 PM. Right-hander Yunesky Maya (3-1, 2.39) is slated to start for the G-Braves while left-hander Robbie Ray (4-3, 3.08) will counter for the Mud Hens. Tony Schiavone will have the play-by-play call beginning at 6:50 PM on WDUN.com, GwinnettBraves.com, Tune-In Radio and the MiLB First Pitch app. The game will also be televised on the MeTV network, WSB-TV Channel 2.2 with broadcasters Mike Morgan, Dave Lezotte and Van Earl Wright.

Friday is "Military Appreciation Night" at Coolray Field. Join the G-Braves in honoring the men and women that have served our country during a special pre-game ceremony. WWE Hall-of-Famer Sgt. Slaughter will be on hand to toss out a ceremonial first pitch and sign autographs on the concourse. All G-Braves' players and coaches will wear special Camo Jerseys sponsored by Kipper Tool. Each jersey will be auctioned off during the game with proceeds benefitting the Fisher House Foundation for military families. Following the game, stick around for Post-Game Fireworks sponsored by Fox 5 Atlanta and Dollywood - the perfect Smoky Mountain family getaway.

Tickets are on sale now at the Coolray Field Ticket Office, call 678-277-0340 or visit GwinnettBraves.com to purchase.

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The Gwinnett Braves are the Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. Follow the G-Braves at GwinnettBraves.com, facebook.com/GwinnettBraves1 and twitter.com/GwinnettBraves. Tickets for all 2014 home games are on sale now by calling the Coolray Field Ticket Office at 678-277-0340 or visiting GwinnettBraves.com.