McCann's four hits lift Mud Hens over Indians

After winning the first game of the four-game set and dropping the second against the International West-leading Indianapolis Indians, the Mud Hens were looking to take back control of the series in game number three on Wednesday.
Guided by a four-hit effort from James McCann and two runs from Brendan Ryan, along with a six-inning, one-hit outing from Matt Crouse, they were able to accomplish just that with a 5-1 win.
Matt Crouse got the call for Toledo and had a very impressive night. Going six ninnings, the left-hander allowed just one hit and one earned run while striking out three.
Jameson Taillon was his counterpart for Indianapolis in a rehab start and was up and down throughout the night. Also going six innings, Taillon allowed nine hits and five earned runs, but salvaged it a bit by striking out nine batters.
The Indians put pressure on Crouse early, loading the bases after reaching on an error and two walks. With a strikeout of Eric Wood however, the left-hander was able to work out of it and hold them scoreless.
While Indianapolis was not able to strike in their first go-around, the Mud Hens were. JaCoby Jones, returning to Toledo after a couple of weeks with the Detroit Tigers, doubled and James McCann drove him in to give the Mud Hens the early 1-0 advantage.
Each pitcher was able to settle in during the second and Crouse cruised through the third as well, but Taillon was hit once again in the bottom of the third. With two outs McCann singled and Efren Navarro followed with a walk. An error pushed McCann in, while Jason Krizan singled to extend his hitting streak to eight and to bring the score to 3-0.
Crouse faced the minimum in the top half of the fourth and the Mud Hens capitalized on that. Stephen Moya singled to left field and Brendan Ryan moved him over to third with a single of his own -- all while Ryan moved up to second on the throw to third. McCann singled again to drive in Moya and the game stood at 5-0.
The fifth innning went through with both lineups going down in short order, but the top of the sixth brought the Indians first run of the game. Two walks and a wild pitch put runners on second and third with one out and a Joey Terdoslavich sacrifice fly put it at 5-1. The Indians were still threatening, but a highlight grab by Omar Infante closed out the frame.
Ryan added a double in the bottom of the inning but was stranded there in the bottom of the sixth, while the top of the seventh saw a new Mud Hens pitcher after a strong day from Crouse.
Jeff Ferrell took the ball and did as well as anyone could have, striking out the side in short order to drop his team-leading ERA to a miniscule 1.15.
McCann singled once more in the bottom of the seventh to bring his hit total up to four on the game, but he was cancelled out on the basepaths with a double play ball induced by Indianapolis reliever Cody Dickson.
The Mud Hens bullpen continued to roll in the top of the frame with Bruce Rondón taking over to carry the load. The hard-throwing right-hander was efficient in his efforts, facing the just four batters -- the third being a double to Danny Ortiz -- to retire the side.
Angel Sánchez faced the minimum in the bottom of the eighth, leading the Indians to having one last chance to mount a comeback.
Edward Mujica came on in a non-save situation for Toledo to get the three outs needed to close it out and did just that, securing the victory for the Mud Hens.
The Mud Hens close out the series with the Indians on Thursday. Drew VerHagen takes the hill for Toledo; first pitch is scheduled for 7:05.