Pitching falters in third straight loss for Toledo

Looking to stop a two-game losing streak and avoid a sweep against the Columbus Clippers, the Mud Hens sent pitching prospect Luis Cessa to the mound on Wednesday evening. Despite leading after four innings, the Clippers' offense found a rhythm in the later innings and was able to down Toledo 12-2. With the loss, the Mud Hens fall to 53-79 on the season.

The Hens and the Clippers traded runs in the first inning. Columbus got on the board first courtesy of an RBI single from Jesus Aguilar. In the bottom half, Steven Moya offered his own answer to the run with his 19th homer of the season, a solo shot to tie the game at one. Toledo put themselves ahead in the third inning. With the bases loaded, Manny Pina hit a sacrifice fly to give Toledo a 2-1 lead.

In the fifth inning, Columbus tied the game, and it was all Clippers from then on. The wheels fell off for Toledo after that as they gave up a three run sixth inning, and then a five run seventh inning, to Columbus. Cessa lasted five and two-thirds innings and struck out six batters, but also allowed four earned runs on ten hits. Josh Zeid relieved him, but only lasted one out while allowing four earned runs.

In the eighth inning, the Clippers weren't done yet. With Angel Nesbitt on the mound, they added two more runs to grab a 12-2 lead. Nesbitt lasted only an inning and two-thirds, giving up three runs.

The Mud Hens hit the road on Thursday to continue playing the Clippers, only this time two hours south of Toledo in Columbus. Thursday's game is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.