Hens hit three home runs in loss to Bats

Toledo, Ohio – The Toledo Mud Hens dropped game one of a six game series against the Louisville Bats Tuesday night, falling by a score of 9-3. The Mud Hens fell behind early in this one, unable to comeback despite hitting three home runs as a team. The homers were all solo shots launched by Zack Short, Aderlin Rodriguez, and Daz Cameron.

It was a rough first inning for Mud Hens starter Logan Shore, giving up a leadoff walk, double, and single consecutively. Before most Hens fans could settle into their seats, they found their team quickly trailing 2-0. Settling back in, the Hens righty buckled down and retired the next three batters in order. Looking to retaliate and gets some runs back, the Mud Hens would be limited to a two out walk by Renato Nunez in the bottom of the first.

It was another laborious inning for Shore in the top of the second, loading the bases after getting two hard hit flyouts to center. A bloop hit single to left scored two and extended the Hens deficit to 4-0. Looking to get the offense going quickly, Zack Short wasted no time in sending no doubt leadoff homer to left field. Joining in on the homerun parade, Aderlin Rodriguez launched a solo shot of is own to cut the Bats lead in half, 4-2.

After a pair of difficult innings by Shore, LHP Locke St. John entered the game in the top of the third. St. John struggled with command early on, walking a pair before a Louisville double brought both into score. A bizarre 5-2-4 double play ended the frame as Toledo now trailed 6-2. Once again trying to chip away at a four run deficit, the Mud Hens would fall in order in the bottom of the third, momentum fully on the side of Louisville.

St. John would return to start off the top of the fourth, working his way around a leadoff walk enroute to the Bats first scoreless inning of the night. Unfortunately, the Mud Hens would also post a scoreless half inning as they were retired in order for the second straight inning.

RHP Nolan Blackwood took over for St. John in the top of the fifth and got himself in hot water right off a bat. A leadoff double followed by a bunt single would put runners at the corners with nobody out for the Bats. A double off wall ended up scoring both runners as the Hens now trailed 8-2. The Mud Hens would fall in order for the third straight inning in the bottom of the fifth as Louisville starter Riley O’Brien really started to hit his stride.

Blackwood returned to the mound to start the top of the sixth, pitching the first 1-2-3 inning of the game for the Hens, albeit assisted by a double play. The Mud Hens would be retired in a similar fashion in the bottom half of the inning, marking the fourth consecutive 1-2-3 inning for the Bats.

RHP Alex Lange took over for Blackwood in the top of the seventh, surrendering a walk that would come back to bite him as an RBI single extended the Bats lead 9-2. Aderlin Rodriguez picked up his second hit of the night on a base hit to left field in the bottom half of the inning but wouldn’t make it around to score.

RHP Buck Farmer relieved Lange in the top of the eighth, logging a 1-2-3 inning thanks to a clutch double play. Daz Cameron extended his hit streak to six games in dramatic fashion in the bottom of the eighth, laughing the Hens’ third solo homer of the night.

Still trailing 9-3, LHP Robbie Ross Jr. entered the game to pitch the top half of the ninth for the Hens. Ross Jr. would pitch the first clean inning for the Hens, not allowing a Bats runner to reach base. The Mud Hens would go quietly in the bottom of the ninth as three straight flyouts ended the contest.

What’s Next: The Mud Hens continue their homestand against the Bats tomorrow night. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.