Toledo Mud Hens Rally to Overtake the Lehigh Valley IronPigs in Rain-Delayed Win

MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com – The Ironpigs scored first in the rainy contest Wednesday night. LF Brandon Watson crossed the plate after a throwing error on a first base pick-off attempt by RHP Jeremy Johnson. The Pigs continued to up the score, as RF Jon Knott hit a solo home run in the fourth and then following a 36-minute rain delay, 2B Casey Smith hit a solo shot to bring the score to 3-0. RHP Jeremy Johnson pitched 5.0 innings, giving up 4 runs on 10 hits.

The Mud Hens’ offense was quiet through the first five innings. RHP Ron Chiavacci was able to shut his former team down on only 4 hits, but left after 5.1 innings with the bases loaded. RF Brent Clevlen came to the plate and hit a triple off the right field wall, driving in all three base runners, bringing the score to 4-3, the Hens still trailing. In the seventh, C Nick Trzesniak hit his first home run of the season, a bomb to left-center field, bringing the score to an even 4-4.

The Ironpigs would load the bases in the eighth inning and bring the score to 6-4. The Hens started to make a comeback when 3B Mike Hessman was able to score on a balk by RHP Gary Knotts and ended up loading the bases with two outs after an intentional walk to SS Erick Almonte. C Nick Trzesniak singled in a run, tying the game back up at 6-6.

The bottom of the ninth brought a one-out double by 3B Mike Hessman and an intentional walk to RF Brent Clevlen, but CF Clete Thomas popped out to shallow left, bringing on extra innings, which did not last long. In the bottom of the tenth, 2B Michael Hollimon launched a solo home run deep in to right field giving the Hens the victory.

ADVERTISEMENT Hen Nuggets

Fast Freddy: The Mud Hens promoted OF Freddy Guzman to Toledo from Erie (AA) Wednesday. He was hitting .281 with 2 HR, 19 RBI and 15 SB this season with Erie. Guzman is tied for second with the most triples (6) in all of minor league baseball. Guzman was acquired from the Texas organization over the off season and played with Oklahoma (AAA) last season where he hit .269 with 4 HR, 34 RBI and 56 SB. The 26-year-old also played 8 games with the Texas Rangers last season, hitting .167 (1-6) with a home run.

Homerin’ Hens: With C Nick Trzesniak’s home run Wednesday, the Mud Hens have hit home runs in 29 of their 33 games. Their 50 home runs lead the International League and trail just three behind Albuquerque’s 53, who lead all of minor league baseball.

Top Crop: The Mud Hens are off to the best start (22-11) of all of the Detroit Tigers’ farm teams. The Double-A Erie Seawolves are 15-16, the Single-A West Michigan Whitecaps are 17-13 and the Single
 
 
Toledo Mud Hens (22-11) 7, Lehigh Valley IronPigs (5-29) 6
May 7, 2008
 12345678910RHE
Lehigh Valley00112002006150
Toledo00000312017101

None out when winning run scored.
Lehigh ValleyAVGABRH2B3BHRRBIBBSOPOA
Watson, LF.29151310000040
Thompson, CF.29641201001020
Cervenak, M, DH.28151300010000
Tracy, 1B.24141210001080
Knott, RF.24341200111020
King, 3B.21150100010001
Hammond, SS.21940100010112
Smith, C, 2B.17031100110013
  a-Robles, PH-2B.18220000000011
Gradoville, C.00040000000280
  Chiavacci, P.00000000000000
  Swindle, P.00000000000001
  Knotts, P.00000000000000
  Kline, P.00000000000000
  Ennis, P.00000000000000
Totals.22540615212533278

a-Grounded into a fielder's choice for Smith, C in the 8th.

BATTING
2B: Watson (5, Martinez, A), Tracy (6, Ostlund).
3B: Thompson (1, Johnson, J).
HR: Knott (2, 4th inning off Johnson, J, 0 on, 1 out), Smith, C (2, 5th inning off Johnson, J, 0 on, 0 out).
TB: Watson 4; Thompson 4; Cervenak, M 3; Tracy 3; Knott 5; King; Hammond; Smith, C 4.
RBI: Knott (4), Smith, C (7), Cervenak, M (12), King (6), Hammond (4).
2-out RBI: Cervenak, M.
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Thompson; Gradoville 2; Knott.
SF: Hammond (off Larrison).
GIDP: Smith, C, Cervenak, M.
Team RISP: 3-for-8.
Team LOB: 8.

ToledoAVGABRH2B3BHRRBIBBSOPOA
Guzman, DH.20051100000100
Perez, T, LF.20250000000120
Hessman, 3B.30342310001112
Larish, 1B.281321000021163
Clevlen, RF.30530211032020
Thomas, CF.185400

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