Every Hens starter records hit against Wings

TOLEDO, Ohio - Every Toledo starter recorded a hit in the series opener against the Rochester Red Wings, but the Mud Hens came up on the wrong end of a 15-2 decision on Thursday at Fifth Third Field.
 

With the setback, the Mud Hens (61-61) sit 4.5 games behind Indianapolis and Columbus in the West Division standings with 17 games remaining. The Indians fell 6-5 at Lehigh Valley, but the Clippers snatched an 8-4 come-from-behind win against Syracuse.
Harold Castro finished the night 2-for-4 with a pair of singles, while Jarrod Saltalamacchia went 1-for-3 with a single, a walk, and a run scored. Jason Krizan tallied Toledo's lone extra base hit, going 1-for-5 with a double and a run scored.

Tyler Alexander picked up his first loss in four starts, tossing 5.1 innings, surrendering seven earned runs on 11 hits and a walk while striking out three. Hunter Cervenka also fanned three in 1.2 shutout innings of relief before Zac Houston came on to pitch a scoreless ninth.
Rochester (55-66) got off to a quick start, as Byron Buxton sent the game's first pitch into the left-field corner for a leadoff double, eventually advancing to third on a Nick Gordon groundout. Robbie Grossman then singled down the right-field line to plate Buxton and give the Red Wings a 1-0 edge.
The visitors added to their lead with a trio of runs in the top of the second stanza. With the bases loaded and one down, Grossman lifted a sacrifice fly into center to score Juan Graterol and double Rochester's advantage. The Red Wings used back-to-back hits to knock in two more runs, as Kennys Vargas lined a base hit into center to bring home Jon Kemmer, while Willians Astudillo doubled off the left-field wall to drive in Gordon.
Rochester tacked on another run an inning later, and blew the game open with an eight-spot in the top of the sixth. LaMonte Wade Jr and Kemmer each connected on three-run home runs as Minnesota's Triple-A affiliate grabbed a 13-0 cushion.
Toledo spoiled Rochester's shutout bid in the bottom of the frame. Krizan smashed a leadoff double into right, and scored when Kennys Vargas made a wild throw toward first base in an attempt to deny Castro an infield single.
After Vargas clubbed a two-run shot in the top of the seventh, Saltalamacchia and Jacob Robson responded in the bottom of the same inning with back-to-back singles to put runners on first and second with nobody down. Christin Stewart then sent a sharp single into center to drive in Saltalamacchia and make it a 15-2 ballgame.
 
What's Next:
The Mud Hens look to get back in the win column on Friday as they continue their four-game series against Rochester. First pitch from Fifth Third Field is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
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#RoadToDetroit Report (rankings according to MLB.com 2018 Prospect Watch):
6. OF Christin Stewart: 1-for-4, RBI single, walk
9. RHP Kyle Funkhouser: DNP (DL)
14. IF Dawel Lugo: 1-for-5, single
16. OF Jacob Robson: 1-for-5, single
20. RHP Bryan Garcia: DNP (DL)
21. LHP Matt Hall: DNP
22. LHP Tyler Alexander: (L), 5.1 IP, 11 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO
Hens Notes:
• Prior to Thursday's game, Mike Hessman was inducted into the International League Hall of Fame. An integral part of Toledo's back-to-back Governors' Cup championships in 2005-06, Hessman belted a franchjse-record 188 home runs.
• Prior to Thursday's game, RHP Phillippe Aumont was placed on the seven-day disabled list. In a corresponding move, the Detroit Tigers assigned RHP Alfred Gutierrez to the Mud Hens from Double-A Erie.
• With a two-out single in the bottom of the first inning, Chad Huffman extended his hitting streak to eight consecutive games.
• The Mud Hens own a 6-2 record on Thursdays at Fifth Third Field.