Torkelson, Greene shine in 8-2 victory

DES MOINES, Iowa - The Toledo Mud Hens took game one of the series against the Iowa Cubs at Principal Park on Tuesday night, 8-2.

Iowa starter, Luis Lugo, struck out the side to start the game. The Mud Hens wouldn’t let him do that again in the second, though. Kody Clemens singled and then advanced to second base on a wild pitch. Ryan Kreidler then singled sharply to left and Clemens beat the throw home to make it 1-0 Toledo.

The Cubs answered with a run of their own in the second. A double, an infield single, and a sacrifice fly plated a run to knot the game at one.

In the third, Spencer Torkelson annihilated a baseball over the center field fence to once again put the Hens in front. The ball traveled an estimated 410 feet.

Heading to the fifth, the Mud Hens still led 2-1. That lead would be extended after Riley Greene blasted a two-run shot to center field. The home run was his third in the last two games.

In the seventh, the Mud Hens loaded them up. Daz Cameron singled, Greene walked, and Torkelson was hit by a pitch. That brought up Isaac Paredes with one out, but he fanned on a big breaking ball in the dirt. Clemens then proceeded to ground to first and the lead remained at three.

Right-handed starter Logan Shore exited after six tremendous innings. He allowed one run on five hits, walking one and striking out a season-high seven batters. Nolan Blackwood replaced him in the seventh and threw a smooth inning.

In the top of the ninth, the Mud Hens finally broke this one open. Greene singled, Torkelson walked, and Clemens walked. That brought Zack Short to the dish and he smoked a hanging breaking ball over the wall in left field for a grand slam that made it 8-1.

Blackwood returned for his third inning in the ninth, looking to pick up a three-inning save. He did so successfully, allowing a solo shot but nothing more as the Hens won 8-2.

What’s Next:

The Toledo Mud Hens and Iowa Cubs play Wednesday afternoon at Principal Park at 1:08 p.m.

Hens Notes:

• INF Spencer Torkelson and OF Riley Greene have each homered in two straight games. They also both singled in their two-hit performances.
• RHP Logan Shore has now put together back-to-back outings with only one earned run in September.
• RHP Nolan Blackwood earned his first save of the season.