Hens shut out RailRiders in series finale

TOLEDO, Ohio - The West Division-leading Toledo Mud Hens ended their three-game series against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on a winning note, blanking the RailRiders by a 3-0 count on Wednesday at Fifth Third Field.

Artie Lewicki shined as the Mud Hens (52-43) ended a brief two-game slide, striking out four in 4.2 shutout innings of work while scattering a hit and a walk. The Hen Pen kept the RailRiders (50-44) off the board, as Victor Alcántara tied for the team lead with his fifth win of the campaign on the strength of 2.1 scoreless frames in relief, before Zac Houston fanned five of the first six batters he faced en route to his fourth save of the year.
Dixon Machado reached base three times, going 1-for-2 with an RBI double, a pair of walks, and a run scored. Making his second start with Toledo as part of a rehab assignment, Leonys Martin finished 1-for-4 with a double, an RBI, and a run scored.
The Mud Hens wasted little time drawing first blood, opening the contest with three consecutive hits. Martin whacked a leadoff double into the right-center gap, and advanced to third one pitch later when Jacob Robson successfully pushed a bunt past pitcher Josh Rogers for a base hit. Machado then grounded a double of his own down the left-field line to drive in Martin and stake the hosts to a 1-0 lead.
Toledo was able to manufacture another run two batters later. Machado moved up to third on a Christin Stewart flyout to center, and scored when Grayson Greiner grounded out to first. 
The Mud Hens continued to apply pressure on the RailRiders, as Mike Gerber and Edwin Espinal drew back-to-back walks to open the bottom of the second stanza. After Gerber reached third when Pete Kozma lifted a fly ball to right, he scored on Martin's fielder's choice to seal a 3-0 victory. The result, combined with Gwinnett's 4-2 win versus Indianapolis, leaves the Mud Hens 1.5 games above the second-place Indians atop the West Division standings.
What's Next:
The Mud Hens remain at Fifth Third Field on Thursday as they begin a four-game series against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
  • GAMEDAY THEME: Latino Heritage Night
  • SPECIAL EVENT:Jeep Fest Night
  • GIVEAWAY:Mud Hens Beach Towel, presented by Great Clips
#RoadToDetroit Report (rankings according to MLB.com 2018 Prospect Watch):
5. OF Christin Stewart: 0-for-4
11. OF Mike Gerber: 1-for-2, single, walk, run
12. IF Dawel Lugo: 0-for-3
15. RHP Grayson Long: DNP (DL)
16. RHP Bryan Garcia: DNP (DL)
18. LHP Tyler Alexander: DNP
23. LHP Matt Hall: DNP
26. OF Jacob Robson: 1-for-4, single, run
Hens Notes:
• The Mud Hens have shut out an opponent nine times this season, trailing only Indianapolis (11) and Lehigh Valley (10) for the International League lead.
• Toledo owns a 38-13 record when scoring the game's first run.
• Including rehab assignments, 22 different players have seen game action with the Tigers and Mud Hens this season.
• The Mud Hens finished 3-3 against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in the regular season series, and hold a 13-8 record against the IL North Division.