TOLEDO, Ohio - Christin Stewart's three-run blast in the bottom of the eighth inning proved to be the difference as the Toledo Mud Hens blanked the Columbus Clippers by a 3-0 count on Wednesday at Fifth Third Field.
TOLEDO, Ohio - Christin Stewart's three-run blast in the bottom of the eighth inning proved to be the difference as the Toledo Mud Hens blanked the Columbus Clippers by a 3-0 count on Wednesday at Fifth Third Field.
Still scoreless heading into the last of the eighth, Ronny Rodríguez led off the frame for the Mud Hens (20-11) with a double into deep right before Jason Krizan singled to shallow center to put runners on the corners with nobody out. Dawel Lugo then struck out swinging, and Columbus (15-16) replaced starter Adam Plutko with Ben Taylor to face Stewart.
The Clippers' move quickly backfired as Stewart launched a high 1-0 pitch down the right-field line to give Toledo a 3-0 lead, which held on to be the final tally. Winners of four straight within the friendly confines of Fifth Third Field, the result marks the first time the Mud Hens have recorded back-to-back nine-inning shutouts since Aug. 19-20, 2013 versus Gwinnett.
Josh Turley stymied the Clippers throughout the contest, pitching eight scoreless innings, scattering two hits and three walks while striking out a pair for his second win of the season. Victor Alcántara came on for the ninth and fanned two to pick up his first save of the campaign.
In addition to Stewart's International League-leading eighth home run of the year, Harold Castro recorded his first hits at the Triple-A level, going 2-for-3 with two singles. Rodriguez finished 1-for-4 with a double and a run scored, while Edwin Espinal went 1-for-3 with a base hit and a walk.
Columbus threatened to break the scoreless tie in the top of the fifth, as Eric Stamets spoiled Turley's no-hit bid by grounding a double down the left-field line. However, Nellie Rodríguez lifted a routine fly ball to left to retire the side.
The Mud Hens put runners in scoring position in the fifth and seventh stanzas, but were unable to make a breakthrough. In the fifth, Kody Eaves reached base on a one-out walk, advancing to second on Castro's single to left. Rodriguez then grounded into a fielder's choice to second to end the inning.
Espinal looked to start another rally in the seventh, singling through the left side before Kade Scivicque lined a base hit into left to put runners on first and second with two down. Once again, the Mud Hens were denied by a fielder's choice to second, this time off the bat of Castro.
Columbus had its best scoring opportunity in the top of the eighth, as Stamets hit a one-out double into left, while Rodriguez drew a walk to place runners on first and second with one out. Turley escaped trouble with one swing of the bat, as Jon Berti grounded into a 4-3 double play to send the game into the bottom of the frame.
The Mud Hens return to Fifth Third Field tomorrow night to wrap up their four-game series against Columbus. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.
