TOLEDO, Ohio - The Toledo Mud Hens fell 7-1 to the Syracuse Chiefs in the series finale on Wednesday evening at Fifth Third Field.
TOLEDO, Ohio - The Toledo Mud Hens fell 7-1 to the Syracuse Chiefs in the series finale on Wednesday evening at Fifth Third Field.
The Mud Hens (61-60) used eight pitchers, including infielder Pete Kozma, in the loss to the Chiefs (53-69).
Johnny Barbato started today's contest for the Mud Hens after closing yesterday's game. Barbato delivered one and two thirds innings allowing one hit and four walks while striking out one before handing the ball to Kevin Comer. Comer escaped the bases loaded jam without allowing a run.
Caleb Theilbar entered the game in the fourth inning in relief of Comer. Comer delivered one and one third innings scoreless and hitless innings allowing one walk while fanning one.
The Chiefs got on the scoreboard first in the fourth inning. Chris Dominguez reached on an error giving Syracuse runners on second and third with one out. Bengie González then hit a double down the left field line to bring in both runners. Andrew Stevenson then lifted his sixth home run of the season over the left field wall giving the Chiefs a 4-0 advantage.
In the bottom half of the fourth inning Chad Huffman reached base on a walk to give the Hens a lead-off base runner. Christin Stewart then rocketed a single passed the first baseman moving Huffman to third. Toledo got on the board with a Dawel Lugo single in to right field bringing in Huffman and moving Stewart to second. After three consecutive outs, the inning ended with two Hens runners left on base.
Theilbar's night came to an end as Paul Voelker entered in the fifth inning. Theilbar allowed four runs, three earned, on three hits and one walk in one inning of work. Josh Smoker entered the game for Toledo with one out and a runner on first in the sixth inning. Voelker delivered one and one third innings allowing no runs on three hits and two strikeouts. Smoker's night came to an end with runners on first and second and two outs in the seventh inning paving way for Daniel Stumpf to take over.
Syracuse added a run in the eighth inning on back-to-back doubles by Gonzalez and Stevenson.
With runners on the corners and two outs, Stumpf's outing came to an end as Zac Houston entered the game. Stumpf allowed two earned runs on three hits in an inning of work while fanning one. Houston allowed one hit and no runs in two thirds of an inning.
Kozma entered the game to pitch the ninth inning marking the first time he pitched in his professional career. Syracuse went on a two-out rally scoring one run and leaving runners stranded on second and third but holding a 7-1 advantage. Kozma allowed one earned run on two hits in his pitching debut.
Despite Dixon Machado reaching base, the Mud Hens could not come back and fell 7-1 in the series finale.
What's Next:
The Mud Hens remain at Fifth Third Field on Thursday for the first game of a four-game series with the Rochester Red Wings. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. tomorrow evening.
#RoadToDetroit Report (rankings according to MLB.com 2018 Prospect Watch):
6. OF Christin Stewart: 1-for-3
9. RHP Kyle Funkhouser: DNP (DL)
14. IF Dawel Lugo: 1-for-4, RBI
16. OF Jacob Robson: 0-for-3
20. RHP Bryan Garcia: DNP (DL)
21. LHP Matt Hall: DNP
22. LHP Tyler Alexander: DNP
Hens Notes:
• Toledo IF Pete Kozma entered the game as a pitcher in the ninth inning. This marked the first time in Kozma's professional career that he took to the bump. Also, this was the first time of the 2018 campaign that a position player pitched for the Hens.
• With his long ball on Monday, Chad Huffman became the fourth Mud Hens batter to hit 10 or more home runs this season, joining Christin Stewart (19), Mike Gerber (13) and Mikie Mahtook (11).
• Before today's game the Tigers placed RHP Artie Lewicki on the 10-day disabled list. In a corresponding move, RHP Zac Reininger was promoted to Detroit and LHP Caleb Theilbar was promoted from double-A Erie to Toledo.
• The Detroit Tigers on Monday placed OF JaCoby Jones on the 10-day disabled list with a right hamstring strain. In a corresponding move, OF Mikie Mahtook was recalled to the Tigers from the Mud Hens.
• Prior to Monday's game, RHP Jacob Turner cleared waivers and was outrighted from Detroit to Toledo. Including rehab assignments, 24 different players have played for both clubs.
