Hens turn focus to Governors' Cup Playoffs

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The West Division-champion Toledo Mud Hens can turn their attention to the 2018 Governors' Cup Playoffs after dropping the regular season finale to the Columbus Clippers by an 8-1 count on Monday at Huntington Park.
 

A day after securing their first postseason berth since 2007, the Mud Hens (73-66) recorded hits in every inning except the opening frame, but Columbus (73-67) posted five home runs in the regular season finale. Willi Castro produced his first career three-hit game at the Triple-A level, going 3-for-4 with a trio of singles, while Jarrod Saltalamacchia finished 2-for-4 with a double, a single and a run scored.
Warwick Saupold struck out four in four innings of work, but was tagged with the loss after surrendering five earned runs on six hits and three walks. Tyler Alexander delivered three strong innings of relief, allowing an earned run on one hit while fanning one, before Paul Voelker gave up two earned runs on four hits while adding three strikeouts.
After leaving the bases loaded in the bottom of the second, Columbus knocked in the game's first run an inning later. Josh Donaldson and Adam Rosales both flew out, but Bobby Bradley sent a solo shot into deep right to stake the hosts to a 1-0 lead.
The Clippers added to their advantage in the last of the fourth. Columbus loaded the bases with two outs for Donaldson, who hit a grand slam over the center-field wall to open up a 5-0 cushion. Recently acquired by Cleveland from Toronto, Donaldson's rehab assignment ended after six innings when he was replaced by Joe Sever batting second and playing third base.
Columbus tacked on another run in the bottom of the sixth, as Yu Chang sliced a one-out solo effort over the short porch in right to make it a 6-0 ballgame.
The Mud Hens spoiled the Clippers' shutout bid in the top of the eighth. Saltalamacchia doubled into right-center, advancing to third on a Jacob Robson groundout. Two batters later, Dixon Machado lined a single into left to drive in Saltalamacchia and trim the deficit to 6-1. Chang and Rob Brantly wrapped up the scoring for the hosts in the bottom of the frame with solo homers.
What's Next:
The Mud Hens and South Division-winning Durham will stage Games 1 and 2 of the Governors' Cup Semifinals on Wednesday and Thursday at Fifth Third Field. Both games are scheduled to start at 6:35 p.m.
GAME 1: Wednesday, Sept. 5 at 6:35 p.m. vs. Durham Bulls: BUY TICKETS! (GAME A)
GAME 2: Thursday, Sept. 6 at 6:35 vs. Durham Bulls: BUY TICKETS! (GAME B)
#RoadToDetroit Report (rankings according to MLB.com 2018 Prospect Watch):
6. OF Christin Stewart: DNP
8. OF Daz Cameron: 1-for-4, single
9. RHP Kyle Funkhouser: DNP (DL)
10. IF Willi Castro: 3-for-4, three singles
16. OF Jacob Robson: 1-for-3, single
20. RHP Bryan Garcia: DNP (DL)
21. LHP Matt Hall: DNP
22. LHP Tyler Alexander: (ND) 3.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO
26. OF Mike Gerber: 1-for-4, single
Hens Notes:
• The International League on Tuesday announced Christin Stewart has been selected to the 2018 IL Postseason All-Star Team. In 122 starts with the Mud Hens, Stewart slashed .264/.364/.480 and led the Mud Hens with 23 home runs, 77 RBI, 213 total bases, 67 walks and 69 runs.
• Manager Doug Mientkiewicz has reached the postseason for the fifth time in six years managing at the minor league level. He won back-to-back titles with High-A Fort Myers in 2014 and Double-A Chattanooga in 2015.
• The Mud Hens finished 4-6 against Durham in the regular season series, though Toledo won all three meetings at Fifth Third Field.
• The upcoming series between the Mud Hens and Bulls marks the third time the clubs have met in the Governors' Cup Semifinals. Durham secured three-game sweeps over Toledo in 2002 and 2007.