2008 Toledo Mud Hens Season Tracker

laprimamirala wrote:

I miss him too, Mrs. Rabelo!

It's so weird to go to the park and NO ONE that I used to talk to is there anymore.

I did watch him play the Braves today.

you'd better start going to his games!

Two For Tuesday, Clevlen Stretches It Out; Hens Win Series Opener 7-2
6/3/08

Toledo opened the road series versus the Louisville Bats on Tuesday night with a convincing victory. Both teams are vying for the top spot in the I.L. West, a spot that was shared only three days ago. The Hens entered the series with a one game lead over the Bats and looked to push further away from their division rivals with a big win to set the tone for the rest of the series.

Toledo had scheduled LHP Casey Fossum to start in Tuesday's game, but after striking out ten or more batters in each of his last three starts, he was promoted to Detroit earlier in the day. The Hens needed a solid pitching performance and grabbed RHP Lauren Gagnier (0-0) from Single-A West Michigan. In his Triple-A debut, the righty got the job done, tossing four innings of one earned run ball to give way to the hot Toledo bullpen.

Almost as expected, the "Hammering Hens" brought their bats to make it easier on their starting pitcher. OF Brent Clevlen once again stole the show as he belted a first inning three-run home run to give the Hens the early 3-0 lead. The Bats chipped away at the lead, but Clevlen again blasted another two-run homer off of LHP Matthew Maloney (6-3) in the third to put the Hens up 5-2. Clevlen finished 2-3 with 2 HR, 5 RBI, and a walk.

The Toledo bullpen pieced together the victory after Gagnier's early departure did not qualify him for the win. RHP Anastacio Martinez, one of many shut down relievers as of late, tossed 1 scoreless inning. On major league rehab, RHP Fernando Rodney (1-0) pitched 2 scoreless innings in his first action since spring training to earn the win. RHP Denny Bautista and LHP Ian Ostlund also pitched scoreless innings to preserve the victory.

News & Notes:

This Clevlen Guy: OF Brent Clevlen has been doing it all... for the last forty games! With the first of his two homers Tuesday night, not only did Clevlen extend his hitting streak to 14 games straight (24-52, 6 HR, 26 RBI, 10 runs) he also extended his consecutive game on-base streak to 40. During the stretch, Clevlen is batting .375 (54-144) and has 11 doubles, three triples, 10 HR, 46 RBI, and 27 runs scored with an on-base percentage of .549.

The "Bull" Pen: The Hen Pen has been "grabbing their innings by the horns" the last week and a half. In the last 11 games, the bullpen has been, for lack of better words, dominant, combining for 35.2 innings pitched, 29 strikeouts, and allowing only one earned run.

Back On Track: DH Jackson Melian (4) also belted a home run in the sixth on a 3-0 pitch to give the Hens 3 on the night. The Hens seemed to have had a "power shortage" the last few games, hitting only three in the last three games. The Hens are on pace to hit 245 long ones this year. The I.L. record is 232.

Track Record: OF Freddy Guzman was brought in for his blazing speed for the 2008 season. After stealing 56 bases in 2007, Baseball America tabbed Guzman as the best base runner in the Detroit organization. In Tuesday's win over the Bats, he stole 4 bases.

~Philipp Levering, Toledo Mud Hens

Home runs are what have been driving the Mud Hens so far this season and Thursday’s game proved to be no different. C Dane Sardinha started the Mud Hens off on the right track by giving them a 2-run lead on a double in the top of the second inning.

The lead did not last long for Hens’ starter RHP Chris Lambert though. The Bats answered back with one run of their own in the bottom of the second and built that lead up six more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Just when all seemed lost, the Hens’ offense awoke and went right to their home run-hitting ways. The Hens answered the Bats’ six runs with six of their own. New 1B Ryan Roberson led off the fifth inning with a double to get his first Triple-A hit, who later scored on DH Timo Perez’s single.

Later in the fifth 3B Mike Hessman hit his 22nd home run of the season, a 3-run shot to left-center field. Two batters later CF Matt Joyce hit a 2-run home run bringing the score to 8-7 in the Hens’ favor.

The Bats began to copy a bit of the Hens’ method of scoring and hit solo home runs in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings, bringing the score to 10-8. A ninth inning rally by the Hens tied the score up at 10. 1B Derek Wathan singled in the top of the 11th, driving in LF Freddy Guzman from third, giving the Hens the lead.

After an extra-inning rally in the 11th, RHP Francis Beltran (2-2) earned the win, RHP Marcus McBeth (1-2) took the loss for the Bats and RHP Anastacio Martinez got the save (1). The Hens defeated the Bats 13-12.

Hen Nuggets:

Clevlen is Rockin’: RF Brent Clevlen extended his on-base streak to 42 games after drawing a walk in the second inning of Thursday’s game. This streak is the second longest streak in all of Triple-A baseball this season. John Lindsey of the Las Vegas 51’s had a 46 game on-base streak.

~Amy Ziemak, The Toledo Mud Hens

GO HENS GO!

BEAT THEM BATS!!

I demand Hessman replace Santiago when Santiago goes on the DL!

It's time! he's on the DL for sure now!

After a long 11 inning battle with Louisville on Thursday night, the Hens came out slow on Friday. Toledo was able to muscle out only two runs off of four hits. Louisville, on the other hand, had ten hits to score eight in their 8-2 win Friday night.

RHP Eddie Bonine (9-2) recorded the loss for the Hens while going 6.0 innings and giving up five earned runs. In his second rehab appearance, RHP Fernando Rodney pitched only 0.1 innings while giving up three earned runs off of one hit and two walks. RHP Justin Mallett (2-1) went 6.0 innings while giving up two earned runs off of four hits while striking out five for Louisville.


The only offense from the Hens seemed to come from the hot-hitting RF Freddy Guzman. Guzman had two of Toledo’s four hits, including a double and a triple and he scored their only two runs. He is on a seven game hitting streak (17-31 (.548), 2 3B, 2 2B, 7 RBI, 13 Runs), which is the longest current for a Hen.

Birthday Bonine - June 6 was RHP Eddie Bonine’s 27th birthday. This was his third outing ever on his birthday since being drafted. In 2007 he pitched for Erie (AA) going 7.1 IP, giving up five earned on seven hits while striking out four. In 2006 while with Lakeland (A) he pitched 1 inning, giving up one hit and striking out one.

New Additions - LF Wilkin Ramirez and 2B Maxwell Leon made their first starts of the season Friday with the Hens. Ramirez and Leon were both hitless.

The Hens and Clippers were scoreless through three. 1B Larry Broadway led off the top of the fourth with a solo home run to give Columbus the 1-0 lead.

DH Freddy Guzman tied the game in the fifth with a single to center that scored RF Jackson Melian from third. The Hens almost came away with two in the inning, but SS Max Leon was thrown out at the plate by CF Frank Diaz to end the inning.

The Clippers regained the lead in the eighth with a double to right that scored one. On a relay from RF Jackson Melian to 1B Ryan Roberson to C Dane Sardinha, the Hens were able to prevent another run from scoring as they pegged DH Alex Escobar at the plate. Columbus wouldn’t need it as they were able to hold off the Hens to win 2-1.

The starting pitcher for Columbus was RHP Dennis Tankersley. Tankersley was a Mud Hen in 2007 (10-7, 4.41 ERA). He went 5.0 innings while giving up one earned run off of four hits, a walk and he struck out two Saturday night.

RHP Virgil Vasquez made a solid start for Toledo. He went 7.0 innings and gave up only one earned run with four hits, two walks and four strikeouts. .

DH Freddy Guzman continues his impressive hitting streak. By going 2-4 with a 2B and a RBI on Saturday, he improves his hitting streak to eight games (19-35, (.543), 2 3B, 3 2B, 8 RBI, 13 Runs).

Tigers in Toledo -- LHP Clay Rapada made an appearance Saturday night. He went 0.2 innings with two walks and one strikeout with one earned run given up. RHP Joel Zumaya and RHP Fernando Rodney are both scheduled to make rehab appearances on Sunday against Columbus.

Welcome Home -- The Hens returned to Toledo with many new faces. LF Wilkin Ramirez, SS Max Leon and 1B Ryan Roberson all made starts in their first game at Fifth Third Field. Ramirez was 0 for 4, Leon 1 for 3, and Roberson went 0 for 3.

Running up the Score -- In a recent article featured in the June 16-29 issue of Baseball America, it shows that Toledo’s Fifth Third Field averages among the lowest runs per game in all of Triple-A baseball in the last three seasons (2005-2007). The 8.26 runs per game average is only second lowest to Norfolk, which stadium averages 7.31 runs per game. Coming into Saturday night’s game, the Hens lead the International League in runs scored with 344, despite the low average of the Hens’ home park.

Back-to-back Birthday Starts -- June 7 was RHP Virgil Vasquez’s birthday. This was the second day in a row in which the starting pitcher for the Hens was celebrating their birthday. June 6 was RHP Eddie Bonine’s birthday. Saturday marked the first time Vasquez has ever pitched on his birthday as a professional.

-- Eric Boye, Toledo Mud Hens

(June 7) Joel Zumaya will join fellow Tiger reliever Fernando Rodney on the Mud Hens on Sunday, June 8. Zumaya is expected to pitch on Sunday. Detroit's setup man last season, Zumaya is ahead of schedule after having surgery last fall to repair the A/C joint in his right shoulder.

The flamethrower was also hampered by injuries last year, as Zumaya appeared in just 28 games after surgery on his right middle finger. After missing more than three months, he finished 2-3 with a 4.28 ERA out of the Tigers bullpen.

Zumaya appeared on the Mud Hens in 2006 and 2007 (rehab).

CF Matt Joyce hit his ninth home run of the season, a 2-run shot to deep right field, giving the Mud Hens the quick 2-0 lead in the first inning, but the Clippers answered back with two runs of their own in the third inning.

In his first career start at Fifth Third Field, RHP Lauren Gagnier was able to suppress the Clippers until the fifth inning when he walked the lead-off batter then gave up a single and a double to bring the score to 4-2 in favor of Columbus.

Gagnier pitched 5.0 innings giving up four runs, but struck out eight Columbus batters, making way for RHP Fernando Rodney, who came on in relief. Rodney struck out his first two batters, but allowed a solo home run to 2B Ed Rogers, increasing the Clippers' lead to three runs.

RHP Joel Zumaya came on in the seventh inning for his first Toledo relief appearance. He allowed one hit but no runs or walks and faced the minimum three batters.

The bottom of the eighth brought Joyce’s second 2-run home run of the night, sending the score to 5-4, the Hens still trailing. The Hens were unable to mount a comeback and fell 5-4 to the Clippers. Gagnier (0-1) took the loss and RHP Collin Balester (7-3) earned the win.


-Hen Nuggets-

Bombs Off of Balester: CF Matt Joyce’s first inning 2-run home run was the ninth career home run RHP Colin Balester has allowed against Toledo in the last two seasons.

Go-Getter Guzman:RF Freddy Guzman extended his hitting streak to nine games after going 1-5 in Sunday’s contest. Over those nine games he is hitting .526 (20-38) with 2 triples, 3 doubles, 8 RBI and 13 runs.

~Amy Ziemak, The Toledo Mud Hens

(June 9) RHP Joel Zumaya is expected to make his second appearance in a Toledo uniform on Wednesday, June 11 versus Indianapolis at 7:00 PM. Detroit's setup man last season, Zumaya is ahead of schedule after having surgery last fall to repair the A/C joint in his right shoulder.


The flamethrower was also hampered by injuries last year, as Zumaya appeared in just 28 games after surgery on his right middle finger. After missing more than three months, he finished 2-3 with a 4.28 ERA out of the Tigers bullpen.

Zumaya appeared on the Mud Hens in 2006 and 2007 (rehab).

Heading into Friday's game, the story was in the pitching matchup. It held true as the sellout crowd of 10,300 sure winessed a true pitchers' dual.

Hens' starter RHP Virgil Vasquez (4-6) had thrown two straight quality starts. He mirrored his past performances with yet another quality outing, hurling a seven inning, five strikeout game, allowing only two runs. His offense could not generate enough run support. They could not get anything going as the Indians chipped away at the home starter. Middle infielders SS Brian Bixler and 2B Matt Kata both had RBI singles to put their team up 2-0.

RHP John Van Benschoten hurled a no-hitter through the first 6.1 innings. Van Benschoten dominated, stifling the hot-hitting Mud Hens. The only blemish was a hard hit ball by 3B Mike Hessman that broke up the potential no-hitter. RHP Matt Miller earned the save (3).

News And Notes:
The Player Shuffle: There has been five transactions in the last three days involving the Hens' roster. RHP Brian Rogers and 1B Fernando Seguignol were signed as free agents and OF Clete Thomas (MLB Rehab) and RHP Francisco Cruceta came from Detroit. Ryan Roberson was sent to Erie to make room for the added free agents. There might be more moves to follow, as RHP Eddie Bonine is scheduled to make the start for Detroit Saturday versus the Dodgers.

Raking Roberson's Absence: The Toledo offense was kept off the hit column for the majority of Friday's game. 1B Ryan Roberson had the longest consecutive game hit streak (4) going into Friday's game. With his departure, the baton was passed to SS Max Leon (3 games), but he was held hitless.

No-No's Not Happening: Indians starter RHP John Van Benschoten carried a no-hitter for the first 6.1 innings until 3B Mike Hessman caromed a deep fly ball off the left field fence for a double. There has never been an opponent to no-hit the Mud Hens in Toledo throughout the history of the organization. Toledo has been no-hit before though; Mickey Mahler did it for Richmond on June 1, 1977. The only no-hitter thrown in Hens' history was at Ned Skeldon Stadium by Jose Lima on August 8, 1994.

Saturday, June 14, 2008
Tigers
Toledo's Hessman gets ejected -- after hitting a homer
Eric Lacy / The Detroit News

DETROIT -- Toledo was involved Thursday night in what probably was one of the most bizarre stretches of play in Mud Hens history -- an overruled homer, an ejection, a legitimate homer, an ejection and another ejection.

All in the span of six pitches.

The chaos began in the third inning of a scoreless Triple-A game against visiting Indianapolis.

Mud Hens infielder Mike Hessman connected on what he and manager Larry Parrish thought was a home run down the left field line. In fact, home-plate umpire Larry Bialorucki originally ruled it that way.

But it then was overruled by first-base umpire Kevin Causey, angering Parrish, who quickly was ejected.

Three pitches later, Hessman hit a legit home run over the left-field scoreboard.

But the fireworks didn't end there for the Tigers' minor league club.

Once the run was counted, Hessman also was ejected because Causey claimed he said something to him as he rounded first base.

"I'll stick to my guns that I didn't say anything," Hessman told the Toledo Blade. "I was pumped up, talking to myself and I never looked (Causey) dead in the eye."

Then, after two pitches were thrown to Matt Joyce, the next batter, Mud Hens pitcher Blaine Neal also was tossed.

An umpire reportedly overheard Neal making comments from the dugout.

Adding insult to injury, the Mud Hens also lost the game, 8-6.

You can reach Eric Lacy at eric.lacy@detnews.com.

Wow, that seems like quite some fun...

The Hens scored 3 runs in the bottom of the first. LF Freddy Guzman scored the first run on a single by 1B Fernando Seguignol; CF Clete Thomas and 3B Mike Hessman scored on a double by 2B Erick Almonte.

RHP Lauren Gagnier didn’t give up his first of hit of the game until the top of the third. Unfortunately, the hit was a solo home run to right by 3B Kevin Melillo.

Toledo would not score again until the bottom of the fourth. Almonte hit his sixth home run of the season on a line drive over the left field wall. This would prove to be enough as the score remained 4-1.


Around the Horn

Tigers In Toledo - Clete Thomas, in Toledo rehabbing his sprained right ankle, had a lot of action in center Saturday night. Between the first and second innings he had four straight put outs. On offense he was 0 for 3 with a run scored.
RHP Joel Zumaya made his third rehab appearance with the Hens. He pitched in relief for Gagnier in the seventh inning. Three straight strikes retired the first batter. In his one inning of relief only one batter reached base, and it was on an error.

Commanding the Chiefs - Syracuse must have looked at last year’s numbers against 3B Mike Hessman. In 2007, Hessman hit .414 with three home runs, nine RBI, four doubles and 12 runs in eight games against the Chiefs. Hessman walked in his first three at-bats and was hit by a pitch in his fourth.

Bonine in the Bigs - RHP Eddie Bonine made his first career start with the Detroit Tigers Saturday afternoon against the Dodgers. Bonine got the win in his 5.1 innings of work while giving up six earned off of nine hits.

Home Against the Chiefs - Saturday night’s game marks the first game of the four-game series against Syracuse. This is the only four games that Toledo will play Syracuse at home this season. At Fifth Third Field the Hens have dominated the Chiefs with a 17-8 record.

-- Eric Boye, Toledo Mud Hens

RHP Yorman Bazardo and the Mud Hens were playing for first place in the International League West after the current first place Louisville Bats lost Sunday. The Syracuse Chiefs got on the board with a sac fly in the first, but Bazardo was able to hold them to two runs on six hits through five innings pitched. Bazardo walked three and struck out five.

The Hens’ offense was sluggish, scattering five hits through six innings, until RF Matt Joyce drove in the Hens first run on a double to right field. Two batters later, C Nick Trzesniak hit a 2-run double to right field, putting the Hens on top 3-2.

The Chiefs tied the game up in the seventh inning on an error by 1B Fernando Seguignol and added one more when RHP Matt Rusch hit a batter to bring the go-ahead run home.

No more runs were able to be produced by the Hens’ offense and they fell 5-3 to the Chiefs. LHP John Parrish (10-0) earned the win for Syracuse and RHP Brian Rogers (0-2) took the loss for Toledo.

Hen Nuggets:

More Movement: According to Tigers.com, Jim Leyland was quoted saying that RHP Aquilino Lopez would be sent to Toledo when RHP Fernando Rodney is activated from the disabled list. With Detroit, Lopez was 2-1 with a 2.67 ERA. He had 24 strikeouts and only seven walks over 33.2 innings pitched.

Hit the Showers: After a close call at first base, LF Freddy Guzman and Manager Larry Parrish were both ejected from the game in the bottom of the seventh inning. Wilkin Ramirez came in to replace Guzman in left field.

Commanding the Chiefs: Last season against the Chiefs 3B Mike Hessman and C Dane Sardinha each hit well over .300. Hessman hit .414 (12-29) with three home runs, nine RBI’s, four doubles, and 12 runs scored. Sardinha hit .350 (7-20) with one home run, three RBI’s, two doubles and four runs scored. Sardinha has not played in the first two games of this four game series. Hessman did not have an official at bat in Saturday’s game due to three walks and a hit by pitch and went 0-4 with three strikeouts in Sunday’s game.

~Amy Ziemak, The Toledo Mud Hens

The Mud Hens were firing on all cylinders coming into Saturday's ballgame versus the Scranton Wilkes-Barre Yankees. Toledo was on top of their hitting, their pitching, and even their defense and were 4-1 in their last five games. However, despite riding a four game win streak, it seems what was "up" inevitably came back down.

It looked like it would be a long outing for Yankees' starter Sidney Ponson when the Hens scraped together three hits. The offense punched in a run to begin the first when 1B Fernando Seguignol hit an RBI-single for a 1-0 Toledo lead.

That lead would not hold as Hens' starter Yorman Bazardo (1-4) gave three back quick to Scranton in the bottom of the first. Then, before he could finish the second, two more runs were charged to him for the 5-1 deficit.

Try as they might, the hot hitting Hens offense did make a comeback, but fell short. Throwing errors and wild pitches by the Yankees allowed two runs to score. Runs brought in by OF Matt Joyce and C Max St-Pierre closed the gap throughout the game, but the Yankees just continued to score runs. 1B Juan Miranda, RF Matt Carson, and 3B Eric Duncan had two RBI each to contribute to the 9-5 winning effort.

The Yankees came into the game 1-4 in the last five games, but what was "down" then played at the top of their game.

News And Notes:
Clevlen Rakes Again: Brent Clevlen extended his on-base streak to 44 games with a hit and two walks. During the streak he is batting .358 (57-159) with 12 HR and 49 RBI and has a .553 on base percentage.

Back To His Roots: C Max St-Pierre appeared in Saturday's game going 0-3 with an RBI. St-Pierre was drafted by the Detroit organization and played in the system from 1997-2006, including 79 games with Toledo. He was signed back for the 2008 season and after C Nick Trzesniak landed on the disabled list, St-Pierre, the team "veteran" was welcomed back.

~Philipp Levering, Toledo Mud Hens

Not a soul could predict the barrage of runs the Yankees would score off of starter Chris Lambert (6-4) Sunday - one of the hottest pitchers in the league - especially after seeing how the first run was scored. A lazy one-out ground ball off the bat of RF Shelley Duncan scored CF Brett Gardner for a 1-0 lead. Lambert came into Sunday's game with a 2.97 ERA, good for sixth in the I.L. among starting pitchers.

Lambert's opposition for the evening, on the other hand, was not exactly pegged for the dominant display he showed the Mud Hens batters - especially a lineup consisting of Brent Clevlen, arguably the league's hottest hitter. Coming into the contest, Yankees' starter Jeff Karstens (2-3) brought in a 5.87 ERA.

However, statistics can only tell half the story. Jeff Karstens held Toledo to only one run on two hits through 6.2 innings; he also struck out eleven. Karstens held six of the nine Hens' starters off the bases, including OF Brent Clevlen, snapping his 44 game on-base streak.

Lambert was shelled in the fourth inning for six runs. He lasted 3.1 innings without recording a strikeout. Shelley Duncan and Juan Miranda gave Lambert and the Toledo staff a headache. Duncan drove in four RBI and Miranda went 3-5 with an RBI. Every Yankee with a plate appearance either scored, collected a hit, or drove in a run in their 10-1 route. The lone Hens RBI was driven in by lead-off hitter Freddy Guzman.

News And Notes

The Streak: Outfielder Brent Clevlen had his 44 game on-base streak snapped with an 0-4 performance Sunday.
~Inside The Story: Clevlen's streak did come to a halt, but it does seem his performance is tied to the team's success. The Hens' record when Clevlen reaches base is 36-17 and when he gets a hit it is 31-13. This season, when he does not reach base the team is 3-5. During the streak the team was 28-16.

Extreme Power Shortage: 3B Mike Hessman has not hit a home run since June 12. The team needs his bat as they are 12-6 in games King Hessman hits a home run. Hessman was moved to sixth slot in the lineup today going 0-3 with three strikeouts.

Tip The Cap: Juan Miranda of the Yankees has had quite the series versus Toledo. He batted a combined .632 (12-19) with three doubles, five RBI, and two runs scored during the four game set.

The Silver Lining: There really is good news in Mudville, despite the end to the weekend series. Toledo started the road trip playing even .500 baseball even after the loss. Moreover, the Hens still hold first place in the I.L. West Division.

~Philipp Levering, Toledo Mud Hens

No home runs aided the Mud Hens' victory over the Chiefs, but Mike Hessman did play a part during a big sixth inning.

Taking the mound for the first place Toledo Mud Hens was righty Aquilino Lopez in his first start since 2002 with Tacoma. Lopez gave up a second inning two-run homer to first baseman Hector Luna (7) for an early 2-0 deficit. He finished three innings only allowing those two runs, but he did attack the strike zone, fanning five Chiefs.

The Toledo offense exploded in the sixth inning for four runs off of left-handed starter John Parrish (10-1). The pressure mounted on Parrish when shortstop Max Leon led the inning off with a single. Mike Hessman followed suit with a double to put two in scoring position with no outs. A sacrifice fly then a single tied the game, but the rally continued. Jackson Melian added the game winning two-RBI double for a 4-2 lead.

A call to the Hen Pen brought in lefty Ian Ostlund (2-0) in the fourth, putting him in position to win the game. Ostlund and the bullpen struck out seven in five innings, leading way to the Hens' dominant closer. Blaine Neal closed the book on the Chiefs and earned his league leading 22nd save of the season.

News And Notes:
Pitching, Pitching, Pitching: Four runs was just enough to let the Hens squeeze by in the series opener. Starter Aquilino Lopez made his first start since 2002 and lasted only three innings. However, the staff put together 12 strikeouts, tying a season high, while absolutely attacking the strike zone. Not only did the pitchers allow only one walk, but 93 of the 139 total pitches were strikes (67% strikes).

Back On Track: Third baseman Mike Hessman was in a slump before Tuesday's win. He was 2-27 with 19 strikeouts and has not hit a home run since June 12. He did not have a homer, but he did manage a double without striking out in four at-bats.

Top Dogs: With the win, Toledo is in first with a two game lead in the I.L. West after Louisville lost in their game Tuesday evening.

~Philipp Levering, Toledo Mud Hens

06/24/2008 11:20 PM ET
Toledo's Joyce tees off on Syracuse
Right fielder smacks slam, three-run homer in first two at-bats Tuesday
By Rob Jemella / Special to MLB.com

Matt Joyce has steadily climbed through the ranks of the Tigers farm system, even making a pitstop in Detroit. But his time in Toledo might be nearing an end if Tuesday's season-high seven-RBI night is any indication.

Joyce drilled a three-run homer and a grand slam in his first two trips to the plate as the Mud Hens matched a season high with 19 hits and trounced the Syracuse Chiefs, 12-2, at Alliance Bank Stadium.

After an RBI double by Mike Hessman and Brent Clevlen's run-scoring single gave Toledo an early 2-0 lead, Joyce delivered his 11th homer of the season to right to cap a five-run first-inning rally.

An inning later, Joyce was at it again. Back-to-back singles by Maxwell Leon and Hessman and a walk to Clevlen loaded the bases with one out. After Fernando Seguignol's grounder forced Leon at home for the second out, Joyce connected for a grand slam to right.

Joyce, who added a single and scored in the ninth, hadn't homered since June 5. That day he hit a pair of dingers in a four-RBI game against the Columbus Clippers. In 13 games since, he had driven in only two runs.

Starter Virgil Vasquez (6-6) took advantage of the early run support with his longest outing of the season. The right-hander allowed two runs on five hits while striking out five and walking one over eight innings.

Leon added three hits and an RBI for Toledo (46-33). Derek Wathan chipped in a pair of hits, including a two-RBI single that completed the scoring in the ninth.

The Mud Hens' other 19-hit performance came in a 17-3 drubbing of the Indianapolis Indians on June 2.

Kane Davis (2-9) was saddled with the loss after being hammered for nine runs on nine hits in only two innings for Syracuse (43-34).

Matt Watson and Buck Coats each hit solo homers for the Chiefs.

Rob Jemella is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

After tying the season high in runners left on base (12) on Wednesday, the
Hens left another 12 on base on Thursday. However, they were able to score runs before ending the inning with runners on. The top of the lineup (LF Freddy Guzman, DH Timo Perez, SS Mike Hessman, and 3B Jeff Larish) combined for 8 hits (HR, 2 3B, 2B), 7 RBI and 5 runs scored. Perez hit his seventh home run of the season, and 1B Fernando Seguignol hit his third of the season.

Syracuse scored first by putting up two runs in the first, but Toledo scored ten runs in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings. The Hens kept their lead and won 10-5 in the final game of the four-game series with the Chiefs.

RHP Yorman Bazardo went 5.2 innings for Toledo. He gave up five earned runs off of nine hits, walked two and struck out three. LHP David Purcey went 2.0 innings, but gave up zero earned runs, three hits and struck out two.

- Eric Boye, Toledo Mud Hens

RHP Virgil Vasquez met his nemesis in Louisville LF Drew Anderson. Anderson was the reason the Bats had a three-run lead after the third inning, thanks to a double and a 2-run home run. The Mud Hens were able to get on the board after RF Timo Perez’s eighth home run of the season.

Vasquez went 7.1 innings and gave up four earned runs on four hits. He allowed two home runs and struck out six. The Hens scored a run in the ninth, but fell to the Bats 4-2. Louisville starter LHP Matt Maloney pitched the complete game giving up only three hits and two runs, while striking out eight Hens.

Hen Nuggets

Honorable Mention: Manager Larry Parrish and OF Wilkin Ramirez have been chosen to be a part of the 2008 MLB Futures Game in New York. Both Parrish and Ramirez will join the World Team for the game that is to be played on July 13 at Yankee Stadium. Ramirez played with the Mud Hens from Jun 6-19 and is currently with Erie (AA).

~Amy Ziemak, The Toledo Mud Hens

The Hens got off to an early 1-0 lead in the first thanks to some timely hitting, but the Clippers answered right back with a run in their half of the inning and another in the third. RHP Lauren Gagnier was able to stop Columbus’ offense to give the Hens time to make up their one-run deficit.

The Hens were able to score five runs in the sixth inning thanks to RF Timo Perez leading off the inning with his second home run in as many days. 1b Jeff Larish doubled in 3b Mike Hessman and 2B Erick Almonte hit a bases loaded single, driving in Larish and CF Brent Clevlen, all of this happening with no outs.

Gagnier pitched his second quality start of the year for Toledo. He went 6.0 innings, giving up only two earned runs on five hits while striking out six batters. The Hens defeated the Clippers 6-4 in game one of the series.

~Amy Ziemak, The Toledo Mud Hens

The first place Toledo Mud Hens are proud to announce that they will be sending three players to the 2008 Triple-A All-Star Game on Wednesday, July 16 in Louisville, KY.

The Toledo players selected to the team are:

-3B Mike Hessman
-OF Brent Clevlen
-RHP Blaine Neal

The trio was elected by the league’s managers, league general managers, media members and fans. Both Hessman and Clevlen will start in the game. The International League today announced the members of its 2008 All-Star team. The squad of 28 IL standouts will take on the Pacific Coast League’s best in the 21st annual Triple-A All-Star Game, slated for July 16 in Louisville, Kentucky. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. eastern daylight time and can be seen live on ESPN2.

Mike Hessman is having a sensational year for the Mud Hens. The 30-year-old third baseman is tied for first in the I.L. for home runs (26) and runs scored (67). Hessman became the fastest player to hit twenty home runs in thirty years, slugging number twenty on May 28. He also is second in extra-base hits (45), third in slugging percentage (.595), and tied for fifth in RBI (53). Hessman will be playing in the Triple-A All-Star game for the second consecutive year. Hessman went 1-2 with a two-run HR in last year’s game at Albuquerque, NM.

Brent Clevlen earned his first selection to the team after piecing together a break-out first half of the season. Clevlen had an I.L. best 44 game on-base streak from April 20 through June 21 in which he batted .358 (57-159) with 11 doubles, 3 triples, 12 home runs, and 49 RBI with 31 runs scored. The 24-year-old’s offensive performance throughout the year ranks him second in RBI (60) and fifth in slugging percentage (.565).

Blaine Neal has been dominant as Toledo’s closer. The 30-year-old righty began the season on a tear, not allowing a run through his first 9 games. He was a perfect 17-17 in save opportunities to start the year. Neal leads the I.L. in saves (22) and has struck out 32 batters in his 28.2 innings of work. This will be Neal’s first Triple-A All-Star game.

The International League will look to pick up its third consecutive win at the mid-summer classic after coming out victorious in the 2006 All-Star Game held in Toledo, Ohio and the 2007 Game in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This will be the 11th showdown under the current IL vs. PCL format, as the first 10 contests pitted All-Stars selected from National League affiliates against those from the American League. The IL and PCL are currently tied 5-5. The winning League this year will once again earn the right to have its champion play as the “home team” at the Triple-A Championship Game – the Bricktown Showdown – in Oklahoma City this September.

Mike Schmidt, legendary baseball Hall of Famer, will be at Fifth Third Field signing autographs on Tuesday, July 8 as part of Prostate Health Awareness Night. On the game day, be sure to pick up an oversized baseball card of the former Phillies third basemen to have signed by (Schmidt will only be signing the oversized cards - cards only available to the first 2,300 fans in the gate)! For more information, visit www.TalkAboutBPH.com. Call 419-725-HENS or click the link to purchase tickets!

Schmidt is scheduled to throw out a first pitch and then will be signing autographs from approximately 7 pm – 7:45 pm. Oversized baseball cards will be handed out to the first 2,300 fans through the gate. Schmidt will only be autographing the oversized cards.

Mike Schmidt's Participation in 'BPH Game Plan'
BASEBALL LEGEND MIKE SCHMIDT SPEAKS OUT FOR THE FIRST TIME ABOUT BPH, A COMMON HEALTH PROBLEM IN OLDER MEN
~ Schmidt Teams Up With Minor League Baseball to Raise Awareness of BPH, Commonly Known as Enlarged Prostate ~

Hall of Fame third baseman Mike Schmidt and Minor League Baseball have teamed up to launch the BPH Game Plan Starts with U: Catch the Whole Game, a national program to raise awareness of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), commonly known as enlarged prostate, and to urge men to get annual prostate screenings and to talk to their doctors.

Four out of 5 men develop BPH in their lifetime. Mike Schmidt is one of the millions of men in the United States who are affected by the symptoms of BPH . Best known for playing in 12 All-Star Games and leading the Philadelphia Phillies to a World Series victory in 1980, Schmidt began experiencing frequent and urgent needs to use the bathroom when he turned 50. At his family’s urging, he reluctantly went to see his doctor who diagnosed him with BPH, one of the most common health problems in older men. Now, Schmidt is managing his symptoms and is motivating other men to take action with their doctors to find the right treatment for them. Schmidt will be appearing at Minor League BaseballTM ballparks in five cities, including the Toledo, Ohio area on July 8, to increase awareness among men age 50 and over about BPH.

Mike Schmidt, Member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, former third basemen of the Philadelphia Phillies will discuss:
-His personal story with BPH and why he is speaking out about his experiences
-Steps he took to manage his symptoms
-His participation in the BPH Game Plan Starts with U: Catch the Whole Game campaign

BPH is a progressive but manageable condition in which the prostate becomes enlarged and leads to urinary problems . About half of all men over 50 and as many as 90 percent of men over age 70 are affected by symptoms of BPH.

Mike Schmidt Biography
Michael Jack Schmidt (born on September 27, 1949 in Dayton, Ohio) was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1971 in the second round out of Ohio University.

In 1974, Schmidt broke out to lead the team in home runs. In 1976, he hit four consecutive home runs in a single game. In 1980, Schmidt scored a major league record with 48 home runs in one year, which earned him the honor of National League Most Valuable Player (MVP). The Phillies won the World Series that year, defeating the Kansas City Royals, with the help of Schmidt’s two homers, seven RBIs and with his stellar defensive play. His sportsmanship earned him the World Series MVP honor that year.

Schmidt won three additional National League MVP Awards in 1981, 1983 and 1986, a unique standing for a third baseman. In 1983, he helped lead the Phillies back to the World Series, but they fell to the Baltimore Orioles.

A slow start prompted him to announce his retirement a few years later. In recognition of his stunning career accomplishments, fans voted Schmidt to the All-Star Game in 1989. By the time Schmidt retired in 1990, he had hit more than 500 home runs.

On May 26, 1990, the Philadelphia Phillies retired Mike’s uniform number 20 in a fitting tribute to one of the game’s all-time greatest players, only surpassed by baseball legends Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron.

In 1995, Mike was inducted in the National Baseball Hall of Fame where he garnered 96.52% percent of voting members.

Career Achievements
•Inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1995
•Honored with National League MVP Award in 1981, 1983 and 1986, a record for a third baseman
•Voted All-Star 12 times and nine times as a starter
•Played in five League Championship Series and two World Series
•Led Philadelphia Phillies to the first and only World Series victory in 1980 with two home runs and seven RBIs (runs batted in)
•Hit 500th career home run in 1987; career home runs totaled 548

With a three way tie in the West Division the Mud Hens needed to get back to the basics with a solid pitching performance by Virgil Vasquez (6-8) Friday night. Vasquez pitched with a purpose: get his team back on track after losing three straight games.

The Hens were given just what they needed. Vasquez allowed only one run through seven innings of work; however, his offense gave him absolutely no run support and was charged with the loss. The only run he surrendered was a one out single by catcher Luke Montz to score Ray Olmedo.

On the other side, Clippers' starter Dennis Tankersley (2-2) dazzled his former club with a no-run, three-hit performance through seven innings. After a lead-off double in the first inning by Freddy Guzman, he led to the first out when he was picked off at second, Toledo had only one other scoring chance. Brent Clevlen led off the eighth with a single. Derek Wathan had a pinch hit bunt to put Clevlen in scoring position, but could not score on the squeeze attempt by catcher Max St-Pierre; he was caught in a rundown between third and home.

Mike Hessman was due up in the bottom of the ninth, and with a lead-off walk by Guzman, the come-back looked promising. However, Jim Ed Warden (3) shut the door for the Clippers and earned the save as Mike Hessman's broken bat fly ball was caught on the warning track to end the game.

News And Notes:
Welcome Back Tank!: Dennis Tankersley has not pitched more than six innings all season, until he stuck in against the Hens. Tankersely dodged trouble from the Toledo offense, keeping them off of the run column. He did pitch for Toledo in 2007, posting a 10-7 record with a 4.41 ERA.

Thank You Toledo!: In Friday night's Fourth of July bash, an attendance record was broken. 11.100 strong Mud Hens' fans walked through the turnstyles Friday, breaking the previous July Fourth record of 10,300.

Philipp Levering, Toledo Mud Hens

Get your tickets now for the Fourth of July Holiday Weekend at Fifth Third
Field. The Hens will be home July 4-9, with fireworks shows on Friday, Saturday and Sunday! Pre-order tickets by calling 419-725-HENS or click the link!

Saturday, July 5 vs. Columbus at 7:00 PM
– Gates open at 5:30 – In the series finale, the first 5,000 fans will receive Thunderstix courtesy of Verizon Wireless. Following the game, Blake Simon of Bowling Green and Levi Pauli of Whiteford, Michigan will compete in the High School Home Run Derby and then the series will conclude with post-game fireworks. The contest between the Hens and the Clippers can be heard live on Fox Sports Radio 1230 AM and seen live on BCSN.

Sunday, July 6 vs. Yankees at 6:30 PM
– The Mud Hens open the first game of the four game series versus the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees with a Sunday tradition; two Mud Hens players will be signing autographs from 5:45-6:15. Rockin’ Ray and the Sky Dogs will provide entertainment throughout the game. It is also Applebee’s Kids Run the Bases and a post-game fireworks night. The contest between the Hens and the Yankees can be heard live on Fox Sports Radio 1230 AM and seen live on BCSN.

Monday, July 7 vs. Yankees at 7:00 PM
– Game two of the series versus the Yankees features D.A.R.E. Night, a drug and alcohol abuse prevention program, in a fun atmosphere to all audiences. The game will conclude with another installment of the High School Home Run Derby, showcasing Brock Chambers from Erie Mason, Tim Gilbert from Seneca East, and Eric Yunker from Toledo Christian. The contest between the Hens and the Yankees can be heard live on Fox Sports Radio 1230 AM and seen live on BCSN.

Tuesday, July 8 vs. Yankees at 7:00 PM
– Toledo welcomes a very special guest on Prostate Health Awareness Night - Hall of Fame third baseman Mike Schmidt. Schmidt will sign oversized baseball cards (given away to the first 2,300 fans through the gate) from 7:00-7:45 near section 119 of Fifth Third Field. (Schmidt will only be signing the oversized baseball cards). The contest between the Hens and the Yankees can be heard live on Fox Sports Radio 1230 AM and seen live on BCSN.

Wednesday, July 9 vs. Yankees at 7:00 PM
– The Mud Hens will host the Yankees in the final game of the four game series on Teacher Appreciation Night. In honor of the area’s fine educators, the first 500 fans will receive a delicious apple. Following the game, Wade Ishmael of Oak Harbor, David Navarre of Sylvania Northview, and Jeremy Hartman of Hilltop High will compete in the High School Home Run Derby.

The Toledo Mud Hens will send two members of the organization to play and coach in the 2008 Futures Game. Toledo Manager Larry Parrish will join Detroit prospect Wilkin Ramirez (currently with Double-A Erie) on the World Team during the Major League Baseball All-Star festivities during a game to be played on July 13 at Yankee Stadium in New York.

The game features the brightest prospects in minor league baseball. Players are assigned to the United States team or the World Team consisting of players from 10 countries and territories from around the globe. These players not only represent their countries, but also the baseball organizations for which they play. All participants will wear the hat of their major league affiliate franchise with the official Futures Game jerseys.

Parrish is in his fifth season as Toledo’s manager. In his five seasons he has led the Mud Hens to back-to-back division and Governor’s Cup Championships in 2005-2006. He will join outfielder Wilkin Ramirez, who played with the Mud Hens earlier in the season from June 6-19. Ramirez, 22, is ranked as the 14th best prospect in the Detroit Tigers organization.

World Team Coaching Staff

Manager: Tino Martinez

Coaches:

Pat Listach
Manager, Iowa Cubs
Chicago Cubs
Pacific Coast League/AAA

Scott Little
Manager, Frisco Rough Riders
Texas Rangers
Texas League/AA

Larry Parrish
Manager, Toledo Mud Hens
Detroit Tigers
International League/AAA

John Stearns
Manager, Harrisburg Senators
Washington Nationals
Eastern League/AA

Carlos Subero
Manager, Birmingham Barons
Chicago White Sox
Southern League/AA

Rafael Chaves
Pitching Coach, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees
New York Yankees
International League/AAA