Long ball plays a role in Mud Hens' victory over Indy

The Toledo Mud Hens returned home to face off against the Indianapolis Indians at Fifth Third Field on Tuesday night and won a thriller by a score of 6-5.

Austin Bergner got the start on the bump today for the Hens. His day started with a pair of outs that were then followed by a pair of singles that put men at first and second. Bergner was able to get out of the inning however with a groundout to short with no damage recorded.

After a few quick outs, Jace Jung then got things started for the offense as he hit a solo shot to right to break the scoreless tie to make it 1-0 Hens.

The Indians however quickly would gain that run and some change back as in the top of the second a double to right would score two and a single would bring in the man from second to make it 3-1 Indians.

Dillon Dingler tried gaining some ground back in the bottom of the second as he hit a sharp single to the left field wall and was inches away from going deep. However, he was thrown out at second trying to stretch it into a double which ended the inning.

Bergner then pitched a 1-2-3 third which allowed the Hens offense to get things going.

Andrew Navigato singled to left field which allowed Buddy Kennedy to drive him in on a double to right center to cut the Indians lead to just one. Following that, Jung added to his day as he singled to right field to score Kennedy from second to tie things up at three apiece.

Bergner’s day was done as Andrew Vasquez replaced him on the mound to start the fourth inning. The first batter he faced was hit by the pitch, as the next batter singled to right to put runners on the corners. A groundout to short-scored the run to give the Indians the lead back at 4-3.

In the bottom of the fifth Navigato doubled to right field to put himself in scoring position. It didn't matter all that much anyway as Kennedy added to his day by hitting a 2-run home run to left field to give the Hens the lead back 5-4.

Beau Brieske came in to replace Vasquez on the mound in the top of the sixth. Brieske also hit a batter and gave up a hit but didn’t allow a run, getting out of the jam.

A scoreless sixth and top half of the seventh then put us in the bottom of the seventh which had a few walks and a fielder's choice, bringing up Jung. Jung then delivered his third hit of the game which was a double down the right field line to score Kennedy to extend the lead to 6-4 in favor of the Hens.

Brenan Hanifee then came in to relieve Brieske in the top half of the eighth in which he gave up a solo shot to minimize the Hens lead to just 6-5 now.

In desperate need of some insurance in the bottom of the eighth, Bligh Madris was able to get on base but to no avail as the next batter struck out swinging.

Hanifee was able to close out the ninth as he struck out the side to end the game 6-5 in favor of the Hens.

The Mud Hens and Indians are set to match up again tomorrow evening with the first pitch beginning at 6:35.

Notables:

Jace Jung (3-3, HR, 3 RBI, 1 BB)

Buddy Kennedy (2-4, HR, 3 RBI)

Andrew Navigato (2-3, 1 BB, 2 R)

Andrew Vasquez (2.0 IP, 2 K, 1 ER)