Mud Hens rally for walk-off win over Bisons

TOLEDO, Ohio - Trailing by as many as six runs in the early stages, the Toledo Mud Hens stormed back to defeat the Buffalo Bisons 8-7 in a 10-inning thriller on Tuesday at Fifth Third Field.
 

Kevin Comer took over on the mound for the Mud Hens (36-20) to start the 10th inning, and managed to keep Buffalo (26-23) off the board. Pinch-runner Ian Parmley started the inning on second base, and advanced to third after a Darnell Sweeney fly ball to deep center produced a terrific over-the-shoulder catch from Mike Gerber. However, Parmley was unable to advance another 90 feet as Gift Ngoepe and Roemon Fields recorded back-to-back outs to retire the side.
Former Toledo pitcher Al Alburquerque got the call out of the visiting bullpen to open the bottom of the frame, while Dawel Lugo started the inning in scoring position. Lugo remained at second as Stewart struck out swinging and Mikie Mahtook grounded out to third, but scored when Jim Adduci ripped a two-out double into the right-center gap to give the Mud Hens their fifth win in six contests.
Gerber drove in a season-high four runs in the series opener, going 3-for-5 with a solo home run, an RBI double, and a two-run single. Adduci finished 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles, a single, an RBI, and a run scored, while Dawel Lugo went 1-for-5 with a double and two runs scored to extend his International League-leading hitting streak to 14 consecutive games.
Alex Wilson made his first appearance for the Mud Hens in over two years as part of a rehab assignment, tossing 1.1 hitless innings, surrendering a walk while striking out two. Zac Houston, Kevin Chapman, Johnny Barbato, and Comer each tossed a scoreless inning out of the Hen Pen, with the latter earning his second win of the campaign.
Despite Wilson's strong start, Buffalo broke through for six runs on three hits in the top of the second. With the bases juiced and one out, the Bisons started the scoring when Fields grounded into a fielder's choice to second that plated Rowdy Tellez. 
After Tim Lopes walked to re-load the bases, Dwight Smith Jr. brought home all three runners with a double into right to extend the lead to 4-0. Danny Jansen added a double to left that drove in Smith, and scored when Jason Leblebijian grounded a base hit into right to give the Bisons a six-run cushion.
The Mud Hens responded with two runs in the bottom of the same inning. Adduci lined a double into right-center, and eventually scored when Jason Krizan reached on a two-base error by Tellez. Grayson Greiner then sent a two-out single into shallow right to drive in Krizan and trim the deficit to 6-2.
Buffalo notched a seventh run in the top of the third, but the Mud Hens quickly added a pair of runs in their next trip to the plate. Gerber led off the frame with his fourth home run of the season, before Stewart's single into right scored Lugo to cut Buffalo's lead to 7-4.
Toledo continued to inch closer, scoring two runs with a two-out rally in the bottom of the fourth. Greiner drew a walk before Pete Kozma grounded a base hit through the right side to put runners on first and second. Moving back to the top of the order, Gerber lined a single into center to plate Greiner and Kozma and make it a one-run ballgame.
The Mud Hens finally erased their deficit with another run in the sixth. Kozma reached base on a two-out walk, and scored all the way from first when Gerber lined a 3-2 pitch into the gap in right-center to tie the score at 7-7 as the contest marched into extras. 
What's Next:
The Mud Hens remain at Fifth Third Field on Wednesday for a 7:05 p.m. matchup against Buffalo. Jordan Zimmermann is expected to make his second start for Toledo as part of a rehab assignment.
#RoadToDetroit Report (rankings according to MLB.com 2018 Prospect Watch):
10. OF Christin Stewart: 1-for-5, single, RBI
11. OF Mike Gerber: 3-for-5, home run, double, single, four RBI
12. IF Dawel Lugo: 1-for-5, double, two runs
15. RHP Grayson Long: DNP (DL)
16. RHP Bryan Garcia: DNP (DL)
18. LHP Tyler Alexander: DNP
Hens Notes:
• The Mud Hens are 2-1 in extra innings this season, and 2-0 within the friendly confines of Fifth Third Field.
• Including rehab assignments, 17 players have appeared for both the Mud Hens and Tigers in 2018.
• Toledo has used 17 different starting pitchers this season.
• The Mud Hens are 12-6 in one-run games during the 2018 campaign.
• Toledo is 2-2 when tied after eight innings this season. In contrast, the Bisons own a 2-5 record.