Adduci shines for Hens as rally falls short

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Jim Adduci's two-out, two-run single in the top of the eighth inning brought the Toledo Mud Hens within a run, but the late rally came up short in a 5-3 decision to the Columbus Clippers on Tuesday at Huntington Park.

Adduci finished 2-for-4 with two singles and two RBI, while Dawel Lugo ended the night 2-for-4 with a pair of singles and a run scored. Ronny Rodríguez pushed his International League-leading hitting streak to 18 consecutive games, going 1-for-4 with a single.
Kyle Dowdy struck out eight in five innings of work, but was tagged with the loss after allowing three earned runs on six hits and a walk. Making his Mud Hens (28-15) debut, Kevin Chapman added one shutout frame in relief.
The Mud Hens grabbed the lead with a two-out rally in the top of the opening stanza. Christin Stewart ended an eight-pitch plate appearance with a walk, and Adduci sent a sharp grounder into right to put runners on first and second. Chad Huffman then reached on an error by shortstop Yu Chang that allowed Stewart to score from second and give the visitors a 1-0 edge.
Toledo's advantage remained intact until Columbus (22-21) posted three runs in the bottom of the fifth. With runners on first and second with two down, Mike Papi grounded a base hit up the middle to drive in Nellie Rodríguez and knot the score at 1-1.

Yandy Díaz followed up with a double into center that plated Todd Hankins and Papi to stake the Clippers to a 3-1 lead. Columbus added a fourth run in the bottom of the sixth when Eric Haase led off the frame with a home run over the wall in left-center.
The Mud Hens engineered another two-out rally in the top of the eighth, scoring twice to cut the deficit to 4-3. Lugo sent a single up the middle before Stewart doubled into right to put two runners in scorng position. Representing the potential tying run at the plate, Adduci brought them both home with base hit through the left side.

Columbus wrapped up the scoring with another run in the bottom of the same inning. Eric Stamets led off the frame with a single into right, advancing to second on a Todd Hankins sacrifice bunt. Back to the top of the order, Brandon Barnes added a single to center that drove in Stamets and extended the Clippers' lead to 5-3.
What's Next:
The Mud Hens remain in Columbus on Wednesday for game three of their four-game set against the Clippers. First pitch from Huntington Park is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.
#RoadToDetroit Report (rankings according to MLB.com 2018 Prospect Watch):
10. OF Christin Stewart: 1-for-3, double, walk, two runs
11. OF Mike Gerber: DNP (DL)
12. IF Dawel Lugo: 2-for-4, two singles, run
15. RHP Grayson Long: DNP (DL)
16. RHP Bryan Garcia: DNP (DL)
29. IF Kody Eaves: DNP
Hens Notes:
- The Mud Hens are 4-2 against the Clippers this season, and 14-5 in their last 19 meetings against Cleveland's Triple-A affiliate.
- Toledo is 20-5 whe scoring the game's first run.
- Adduci and Stewart are tied for second in the IL with 29 RBI, while Rodriguez places fourth with 28 RBI.
- With a two-out walk in the first inning, Stewart has reached base safely in 17 straight road games, marking the longest active streak in the IL.
- Should Rodriguez extend his hitting streak to 20 consecutive games, he would become the first Toledo hitter to reach that milestone since Brad Eldred recorded a hit in 20 straight from April 6-25, 2012.