Hens fall short in first match-up with Gwinnett

In the first matchup of the season between the Toledo Mud Hens and Gwinnett Braves, the home Braves hit their way to an 8-1 victory. Six of Gwinnett's eight hits in the contest went for extra bases, including two long balls.

The Braves' pitching staff limited the Hens to just one run on five hits, including eight shutout frames to end the contest.
The bats were alive early on Monday as both teams scored in the first inning. The Mud Hens got to Braves starter Lucas Sims to take an early 1-0 lead. JaCoby Jones bunted his way to first for a single and J.D. Martinez walked. Efren Navarro singled to left to bring home Jones.
Gwinnett responded immediately against Toledo righty Drew VerHagen. A leadoff single was followed by a two-run homer from Sean Kazmar Jr.. Mel Rojas Jr. doubled with one out and a two-out double from Anthony Recker gave the Braves a 3-1 lead after one inning.
Both starters locked in through the next few innings, as VerHagen retired 10 straight batters until the Braves got to him for three more runs in the fifth. A two-run triple from Ozzie Albies and a Kazmar sac fly put Gwinnett up 6-1 after five.
VerHagen was chased from the game after five, allowing six runs, on six hits, walking one and striking out four.
The Braves added another run against Toledo reliever Bruce Rondón in the sixth. Rio Ruiz doubled to lead off the inning and Kyle Kubitza's groundout allowed Ruiz to score. After six, Gwinnet led 7-1.
After the first inning, the Hens could muster just three hits against Braves pitching. Sims threw the first 6.1 innings, allowing just one run, on five hits, two walks, and struck out four. Caleb Dirks threw 1.2 hitless innings, fanning three, and walking one.
After a Kyle Ryan shutout seventh, Ruiz homered off Logan Kensing in the eighth to extend the lead to 8-1.
Mauricio Cabrera shut the door on the Hens despite hitting Navarro and Argenis Diaz. He stranded both runners when he retired Bryan Holaday to end the game.
Martinez began his rehab assignment with the Hens on Monday after a brief stint with Lakeland. The right fielder finished 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout.
Navarro led the way for the Toledo offense, keeping his average on the right side of .300 with a 2-for-3 performance and the lone RBI for the team.
The Hens will play Game 2 in Gwinnett as they send Anthony Vasquez to the bump for his Toledo debut. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.