Hessman crowned, breaks all-time IL HR record in win

Mike Hessman has made history many times already this season. But none of the milestones were as big as the one he reached Monday night in Indianapolis.

Toledo's slugging third baseman, with his 15th home run of the season, became the International League's all-time home run leader with his 259th career IL blast in a 9-1 win over the Indians at Victory Field.

The record-setting homer, a solo shot far beyond the left-field fence, came in the third inning off Indianapolis pitcher Jake Brigham. The blast surpassed Ollie Carnegie's former record of 258 homers. Carnegie played for the Buffalo Bisons from 1931-41 and in 1945. Hessman tied Carnegie's record on May 30 against Charlotte.

This season alone Hessman has broke the Toledo records for all-time RBI (406), and the modern-era Toledo records for hits (524), doubles (113) and runs (358). His 155 home runs in a Toledo uniform are also a Mud Hens record. Ryan Raburn is second on that list with 67 home runs.

With Hessman's blast Monday night, he now sits at 404 career minor league home runs, good for third on the American minor league home run list. Buzz Arlett is atop that list with 432 homers.

Hessman's long ball was not the only for Toledo in the win that snapped a three-game losing skid. Ezequiel Carrera took Brigham deep on his first pitch of the night, giving the Hens a 1-0 lead. Hernan Perez followed one batter and three pitches later with another home run. Carrera's lead-off homer was the first for Toledo since Avisail Garcia's on July 27 last year against Buffalo.

The Hens chased Brigham after just two innings as he allowed six runs, all earned, on nine hits. Trevor Crowe, Manny Pina and Perez each had three hits, while Crowe and Perez extended their hitting streaks to 12 and 11 games, respectively.

Five Toledo batters had a multi-hit game as they out-hit Indianapolis 17-5.

Starter Kyle Lobststein earned his sixth win of the season, allowing just one run on three hits in six innings of work. The left-hander lowered his ERA to 3.51, improving to 6-7.

Toledo (40-45) and Indianapolis (47-37) return to action Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m. in the series finale.