Gerber homers twice as comeback falls short

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. - Trailing 6-3 and down to their final out in the top of the ninth inning, the Toledo Mud Hens rallied to level the score with a three-run outburst, but the Gwinnett Stripers scored once in the bottom of the frame to escape with a 7-6 result on Thursday at Coolray Field.

Facing a 6-3 deficit with three outs remaining, the Mud Hens (42-29) quickly found themselves with nobody on and two down, as pinch-hitter Jason Krizan and Harold Castro both flied out to start the inning. However, Toledo refused to go away quietly, with Mikie Mahtook reaching base on a walk, and scoring when Mike Gerber drilled his second two-run shot of the game to deep left to trim the margin to 6-5. 
The Mud Hens then proceeded to manufacture another run, as Lugo lined a base hit into center, advancing to second on a Christin Stewart walk. After Lugo stole third base, Jim Adduci brought him home with a single up the middle to even the score at 6-6.
Gwinnett (32-38) responded with a run in the bottom of the ninth to spoil the Mud Hens' late rally and avoid a three-game sweep. Danny Santana drew a leadoff walk, and eventually moved into scoring position on an errant pickoff attempt. Later in the inning, Carlos Franco was intentionally walked to put runners on first and second with two outs, but Dustin Peterson sent a sharp grounder into right to plate Santana as the Stripers closed out the series with a 7-6 victory.
 
Gerber was one of six Mud Hens to record multiple hits, going 2-for-5 with two home runs, four RBI, and two runs scored. Mikie Mahtook finished 2-for-3 with a solo shot, two walks, and three runs, while Dawel Lugo went 3-for-5 with three singles and a run.
A.J. Ladwig struck out three in four innings of work, but remains in search of his sixth win after allowing four earned runs on eight hits. Zac Houston added two hitless innings in relief, while Kurt Spomer announced his return by tossing a perfect eighth. Phillippe Aumont was tagged with the loss after surrendering an unearned run in the final frame.
For the third time in as many games, the Mud Hens grabbed the lead on their first trip to the plate. After Mahtook lined a base hit into left to begin the contest, Gerber launched a two-run blast to left-center to give Toledo an early 2-0 edge. Gwinnett got on the board with a run in the bottom of the opening stanza, but Mahtook led off the third with a drive into left to restore Toledo's two-run cushion.
The Mud Hens' lead remained intact until the Stripers posted a three-spot in the bottom of the fourth. Peterson grounded a leadoff infield single to third, and eventually scored on a Phil Gosselin double to left to cut the deficit to 3-2. Sal Giardina grounded out to first, but Tyler Smith sent a hit a two-out, two-run home run over the wall in left to give the hosts a 4-3 advantage.
Gwinnett added to its lead with a pair of runs in the bottom of the seventh. With the bases loaded and one down, Franco lifted a sacrifice fly to left deep enough to drive in Smith and make it a 5-3 ballgame. A sixth run arrived when Peterson's ground ball ricocheted off the glove of Pete Kozma and into left field, allowing Santana to score from second.
What's Next:
The Mud Hens head to North Carolina on Friday to open a three-game series against the Charlotte Knights. First pitch from BB&T Ballpark is scheduled for 7:04 p.m.
#RoadToDetroit Report (rankings according to MLB.com 2018 Propsect Watch):
10. OF Christin Stewart: 0-for-4, walk
11. OF Mike Gerber: 2-for-5, two home runs, four RBI, two runs
12. IF Dawel Lugo: 3-for-5, three singles, run
15. RHP Grayson Long: DNP (DL)
16. RHP Bryan Garcia: DNP (DL)
18. LHP Tyler Alexander: DNP
30. RHP Artie Lewicki: DNP
Hens Notes:
• Lugo and Adduci have each recorded a hit in 16 consecutive road games, which stands as the International League's longest active streak.
• The Mud Hens are 6-2 when tallying 13 or more hits in a game this season.
• Toledo is 20-3 when scoring six or more runs in a game this season.
• The Mud Hens finish 4-2 against Gwinnett in the season series, and have won six of their last eight meetings with the Stripers.