Toledo comeback falls short as Omaha evens series

Toledo, Ohio – The Toledo Mud Hens dropped game four of six game series with the Omaha Storm Chasers tonight, falling by a score of 3-2. The loss was highlighted with stranded runners on base as the Hens left 12 men on and were 4-12 with runners in scoring position. The pitching was superb for the Hens tonight with starter Drew Hutchison posting a final line of 6.0 IP, 11 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, and 5 K’s. Locke St. John and Bryan Garcia also combined for two scoreless innings out of the pen. Toledo remains the number two team in the Midwest Division of the Triple-A East, falling four games back of first place Omaha after the loss.

It was a quite top of the first for the Mud Hens offense as the Kanas City Royals number four prospect, RHP Jackson Kowar, retired the side in order. It was an uncharacteristically rough first inning for RHP Drew Hutchison, surrendering four consecutive singles to open the game. A sacrifice fly by the Storm Chasers quickly extended the Hens deficit to 2-0 early on.

Victor Reyes led off the top of the second with a bang, sending a triple off the left field wall mere feet away from being a solo home run. Yariel Gonzalez would take advantage of the RBI opportunity, reaching base on an infield single, scoring Reyes. Kody Clemens would also single in the inning, but the Hens would have to settle for the cutting the lead by one. Drew Hutchison bounced back in the bottom of the second, retiring the Storm Chasers in order.

The Mud Hens would threaten in the top of the top of the third as Jacob Robson and Isaac Paredes both reached base via back to back walks. A single by Victor Reyes loaded the bases with only one out. However, the Hens would leave the bases loaded as Kowar wiggled his way out of a jam. Drew Hutchison continued to pitch well for the Hens in the third, working his way around a leadoff single as he recorded his second straight scoreless inning.

Kody Clemens led off the inning with a double to right field. A wild pitch advanced Clemens to third with only one out, putting the tying run 90 feet away for the Hens. Unfortunately, Clemens would be caught in a run down after trying to score on a groundout. Still trailing 2-1, Drew Hutchison returned to pitch the fourth inning for the Hens. Hutch would surrender a leadoff single that was quickly erased on a slick double play by Kody Clemens who was making his first start at first base on the season. The Storm Chasers would later double but Hutchison stranded that runner too.

The Mud Hens threated yet again in the fifth after breaking into the Omaha bullpen. Isaac Paredes started things off by launching a one out line drive double to left field. Paredes would be advanced to third on a groundout, but the Hens would be unable to bring him in to score the tying run. Drew Hutchison continued to get more comfortable as the game wore on, logging a scoreless fifth inning, only allowing a two out single.

The Hens continued to put men on base in the top of the sixth as Kody Clemens doubled for the second time tonight, his third hit of the game. An infield single by Cole Peterson put runners at the corners with two outs. Unfortunately, neither runner would score as the Storm Chasers escaped yet another inning. The Storm Chasers extended their lead to 3-1 in the bottom of the inning, sending a leadoff homer way over the left field wall. Hutchison would also surrender a pair of singles but leave those runners stranded.

Victor Reyes secured his third hit of game in the top of the seventh, reaching on a single to left. Christin Stewart also singled in the inning putting two on with two out. Yariel Gonzalez capitalized again with an RBI single that gave the Hens their first run in five innings and cut the Storm Chasers lead to 3-2. LHP Locke St. John took over for Hutchison in the bottom of the seventh, recording a 1-2-3 inning with a pair of strikeouts to boot.

Cole Peterson recorded his second hit of the night in the top of the eighth before a double play ended any hope of the Hens tying the game before the ninth. RHP Bryan Garcia took over for St. John in the bottom of the inning, marking his second appearance of the season out of the Hens pen. Garcia would give up a lone walk before inducing an inning ending double play.

Jacob Robson led off the top of ninth with a walk, stealing second base shortly after. Unfortunately, the next three Hens would all be sat down in order, securing a victory for Omaha.

What’s Next: The Mud Hens look to reclaim the series lead against the Storm Chasers tomorrow night. First pitch is set for 8:05 p.m. EST.

Update: Saturday's game between the Omaha Storm Chasers and the Toledo Mud Hens has been postponed due to rain, impending inclement weather and unplayable field conditions. The game will be made up at a date to be determined.