Toledo Mud Hens Defeat Columbus Catfish 4-3

MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com - After a long ten game road trip, the Hens returned to spacious Fifth Third Field in Toledo after slugging 31 home runs on the trip. The offense started slow, but regained its potency as the game wore on the Columbus bullpen.

 RHP Jeremy Johnson (4-1) did his best to match Clippers' starter RHP Tyler Clippard by keeping Columbus off of the board through three. Despite Clippard's strong start, it was the Hens who almost struck first. With the bases loaded and two outs in the third, 3B Mike Hessman hit a deep fly ball over 400 feet to the deepest part of Fifth Third Field, but fell short as Columbus CF Tommy Murphy flagged it down to end the inning.

 In the fourth, Jeremy Johnson gave up an RBI single to DH Alex Escobar to extend his hit streak top 14 games. With the score 1-0 in the fifth, Johnson gave up another RBI base knock that just squeezed through the infield to RF Kory Casto. Meanwhile, Clippard continued to cruise along for the Clippers by pitching his fifth scoreless inning. The Hammering Hens broke through the scoreless barrier in "traditional" fashion with a solo-home run by CF Clete Thomas in the sixth. Columbus answered in the seventh with another two out RBI single from Kory Casto off of RHP Yorman Bazardo to put the score 3-1.

 The first place Hens did not need the long ball to carry them to a victory, rather just a bit of "small ball". Back-to-back doubles by 2B Michael Hollimon and CF Clete Thomas started the rally. Brent Clevlen's RBI single tied the game 3-3 with one out. With runners on first and third, 3B Mike Hessman scored from a throwing error forced by OF Timo Perez's grounder that was thrown away on a double play attempt.

 Columbus RHP Chris Shroder (3-2) suffered the loss and Toledo reliever RHP Matt Rusch earned the win after pitching a scoreless inning. Hens closer Blaine Neal (15) earned the save, sending the Clippers down in order.

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