The Toledo Mud Hens rode some great pitching to a 3-0 shutout victory to win the rubber match against the Norfolk Tides at Harbor Park Stadium.
The Toledo Mud Hens rode some great pitching to a 3-0 shutout victory to win the rubber match against the Norfolk Tides at Harbor Park Stadium.
This game was dominated by pitchers. There was a sign early on when the first batter of the game, Jacob Robson, connected with a ball that took a great play by D.J. Stewart to take away extra bases. The Mud Hens did not find the scoreboard until the eighth inning.
Toledo starter Artie Lewicki looked brilliant in the game. He lasted seven innings, surrendering only a single hit, and a single walk. When he was pulled in the eighth, he had collected nine strikeouts without giving up a run. This is Lewicki's season high in strikeouts and innings pitched.
The Mud Hens offense struggled in a similar manner against Norfolk starter Matt Wotherspoon, who went five scoreless innings. The Tide pitching was successfully shutting down the offense until the eighth inning.
Harold Castro opened the eighth with a single to center field. After a Jacob Robson flew out, and Norfolk made a pitching change. Eddie Gamboa was brought in, and he immediately walked Dixon Machado. The next batter was Christin Stewart, who took the first pitch for a ball. The second pitch sailed over the right field fence for a three-run bomb. Stewart's 18th on the season.
Paul Voelker relieved Lewicki in the eighth and things got a little hairy. The bases became loaded with two outs. Cedric Mullins hit a ball deep to right, in fact it drove Mike Gerber back to the warning track. However, with his back against the fence, the ball was caught.
After a quick top half of the ninth, Zac Houston came in to close things out. Breyvic Valera popped out to third for the first out. DJ Stewart struck out for out number two. Pedro Álvarez got a base hit that took a weird hop around first baseman Edwin Espinal, and Garabez Rosa followed suit. Luis Sardiñas worked the count full, but struck out to end the game.
What's Next:
The Mud Hens enter into a six game homestand tomorrow when they take on the IL West opponent, Louisville Bats. First pitch from Fifth Third Field is scheduled for 7:05 pm.
#RoadToDetroit Report (rankings according to MLB.com 2018 Prospect Watch):
6. OF Christin Stewart: 1-for-4, homerun, 3 RBI
9. RHP Kyle Funkhouser: DNP (DL)
13. IF Dawel Lugo: 1-for-3, single
15. OF Jacob Robson: 0-for-3, walk
19. RHP Bryan Garcia: DNP (DL)
20. LHP Matt Hall: DNP
21. LHP Tyler Alexander: DNP
25. OF Mike Gerber: 0-for-3, walk
Hens Notes:
• This is the second time that Norfolk has been shutout at home this season, and the Mud Hens tenth shutout this year.
• Stewart now has 18 homeruns on the year, which puts him in a tie with Mitch Walding and Dylan Cozens for the IL lead.
• Toledo owns a 16-15 record against the South Division this season.
• The Detroit Tigers on Saturday claimed LHP Josh Smoker off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates and optioned him to the Mud Hens. To create room for Smoker on the 40-man roster, Detroit designated RHP Warwick Saupold for assignment.
