2008 Toledo Mud Hens Season Tracker

Article published Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Willis could rescue Mud Hens
By JOE VARDON
BLADE SPORTS WRITER

With pitcher Eddie Bonine ailing, the Mud Hens' rotation could receive help from Dontrelle Willis.

Bonine was placed on the disabled list yesterday with what the Mud Hens called a right shoulder strain. He was removed in the fifth inning of his start Sunday night against Norfolk with tightness behind the shoulder, and was examined by Dr. Luke Ragan in Toledo yesterday.

Hens manager Larry Parrish said Bonine, who also underwent an MRI, will miss at least one start but could be out for longer, depending on further examination by Tigers team physician Dr. Stephen Lemos.

This is where Willis comes in.

Willis, who the Tigers acquired in December and handed a three-year, $29 million contract extension, has been in Single-A Lakeland since June trying to work through control problems. He pitched Sunday night against Dunedin, allowing four runs on six hits and two walks in 71/3 innings.

Detroit general manager Dave Dombrowski said in a telephone interview that he wouldn't discuss any moves until there was something official to announce, but didn't refute that Willis was at least being considered for Bonine's spot. Parrish didn't deny it, either.

"We definitely have to do something, at least for his next start," Parrish said.

Parrish said Rick Porcello, last year's No. 1 draft pick, probably wasn't an option. The Hens manager said an internal candidate to move into the rotation is Jeremy Johnson, a reliever who started eight games for the Hens this year.

Willis was optioned to Lakeland June 10 after a disastrous start against Cleveland in which he gave up eight runs on two homers and five walks in 11/3 innings. He has a 10.32 ERA with 21 walks in 111/3 innings for the Tigers this year.

After spending some time working on his mechanics away from game action, Willis has pitched in six games for Lakeland, going 0-3 with a 4.50 ERA and 11 walks in 28 innings.

If Willis does get promoted to the Hens, he wouldn't pitch until Friday or Saturday in Richmond. Willis has already pitched three games for Toledo this year while on rehab assignment for a hyperextended knee.

As for Bonine, he said he first felt his injury early in the second inning but continued on.

"I was trying to throw through it, but by the fifth inning it was really affecting the way I pitched," Bonine said.

BALLS AND STRIKES: An attendance record was set - and a milestone was reached - at Fifth Third Field last night. The crowd of 8,973 was the park's 12th consecutive sellout, breaking the old record of 11 set in the final 10 games of the 2002 season through opening day in 2003.

Article published Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Hens' Vasquez blanks Tides
Effort reminiscent of last year
By JOE VARDON
BLADE SPORTS WRITER

Virgil Vasquez did something last night that no Mud Hens pitcher had done since … well, Virgil Vasquez.

Toledo edged the Norfolk Tides 2-0 behind Vasquez's complete-game shutout - the Hens' first since Vasquez blanked Indianapolis on Aug. 21 last season, according to the team's media relations staff.

The going was much different for Vasquez a year ago, when he went 12-5 with a 3.48 ERA for the Hens and enjoyed three major league stints with the Tigers. He entered last night's contest 1-4 with an 8.96 ERA in his previous five starts, and with a losing record and an ERA over five for the year.

"Obviously he showed us tonight why he was 12-5 a year ago," Tides manager Gary Allenson said.

Vasquez (8-12) gave up four hits, walked one, and struck out six in a game that took only 2:14 to complete. Mike Costanzo, Norfolk's cleanup hitter who had walked and tripled earlier, grounded into a game-ending double play in the ninth.

Costanzo was in scoring position twice, and Chris Roberson reached on an infield single and advanced to second on Vasquez's throwing error to lead off the fifth. But Vasquez pitched out of that jam by retiring Norfolk's No. 7, 8, and 9 hitters on fly balls.

"When he made a mistake tonight, he made it to the right hitters," Hens manager Larry Parrish said. "He made them to their little guys, and they just flew out fairly deep. The middle [of the order] guys, he made some pitches to."

Vasquez threw first-pitch strikes to 20 of the 31 hitters he faced, and 75 of his 114 total pitches were strikes. Parrish said he had command of the lower portion of the strike zone and used his breaking ball as the game wore on.

"It was about strike one, pitching to contact, and getting downward movement," Vasquez said.

"It's kind of a clich, but that's truly what was working for me tonight."

Radhames Liz, Norfolk's starting pitcher and the Baltimore Orioles' No. 2 prospect, was nearly as tough on the Hens as Vasquez was on the Tides. The lone run he allowed came on Max Leon's RBI groundout in the fourth.

Otherwise, Toledo managed just five hits and struck out eight times against Liz. Tides pitchers recorded 13 strikeouts total.
Jeff Larish, who also scored the Hens' first run after he led off the fourth with a single, doubled with two outs in the eighth against Norfolk reliever Jon Leicester and scored on Clete Thomas' single.

Larish also made a diving stop on Jeff Fiorentino's sharp grounder near first base and threw to Vasquez covering the bag to end the seventh.

"We made some plays and did some things," Parrish said. "We didn't score a whole lot, but we didn't have to tonight."

Toledo second baseman Michael Hollimon also turned in a fine defensive play in the seventh, but his struggles at home plate continued.

Batting ninth for the first time this year, Hollimon went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts and is stuck in a 4-for-48 slump.

Contact Joe Vardon at:
jvardon@theblade.com
or 419-410-5055.

Article published Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Willis promoted to Mud Hens
BLADE STAFF AND NEWS SERVICES

Pitcher Dontrelle Willis has been promoted by the Detroit Tigers from Single-A Lakeland to the Mud Hens and will pitch for Toledo Friday night in Richmond.

In another move, the Tigers have given Freddy Garcia a chance to prove he can still pitch.

Willis will take the place of the injured Eddie Bonine in the Hens' starting rotation.

Willis, who is 0-1 with a 10.32 ERA and 21 walks in 111/3 innings for the Tigers this year, was sent from Detroit to Lakeland to work on his pitch control June 10. He went 0-3 with a 4.50 ERA and 11 walks in 28 innings at Single-A.

"He has shown a lot of improvement the last few times, and people feel he's ready to pitch there [Toledo]," Detroit president Dave Dombrowski said. "He's eager to do that."

Out of the majors since June, 2007, the two-time all-star Garcia agreed to a minor league contract with the Tigers. He had surgery on his right shoulder last August while with Philadelphia.

The right-hander previously pitched for the Chicago White Sox and the Seattle Mariners.

"He's a proven big league pitcher at a time in which it's hard to find pitching. He's always pitched well," Dombrowski said. "He's healthy now after the surgery. It's just he needs to build up his arm strength. I don't know if there's enough time to do it, but we also figure that we don't have anything to lose to try. He's a guy that we've always liked."

Said Garcia: "Right now, I'm feeling really good. I need to throw innings, so I'll throw some innings [at Lakeland]."

Garcia said he wouldn't mind pitching for Detroit next season. Dombrowski said there is no commitment by either side for 2009.

Tigers manager Jim Leyland said the 33-year-old Garcia was a good gamble.

"I think it's a shot. I think Freddy took a shot and obviously thought enough of us to sign with us, and certainly we thought enough to sign him," he said. "Take a shot. See what happens. I don't think either party has anything to lose, but I think it's a good deal for both parties."

Garcia was a free agent looking for a team. More than a dozen clubs sent scouts to Miami to watch the righty throw last week.

The Phillies got Garcia in December, 2006, from the Chicago White Sox for two minor leaguers.

He had $10 million left on his contract but never found his form.

Garcia began last year on the disabled list because of biceps tendinitis and went 1-5 with a 5.90 ERA in 11 starts for Philadelphia.

Article published Thursday, August 14, 2008
MUD HENS NOTEBOOK
Willis slated to pitch in Richmond
By JOE VARDON
BLADE SPORTS WRITER

Dontrelle Willis arrived at Fifth Third Field yesterday sporting a new, full beard.

He was laughing and joking with teammates during batting practice, chatting with Eddie Bonine and Max Leon about possibly playing winter ball together, and working out to some loud rap music inside the Mud Hens' weight room.

Tomorrow, though, is when his first real work begins as a regular on Toledo's roster, when he pitches for the Hens in Richmond.

Willis, a former 22-game winner in the majors who suffered so mightily from control issues this season that the Tigers optioned him all the way to Single-A Lakeland in June, showed enough for Detroit's deep thinkers to promote him to the Hens. He took the place of Bonine, who was placed on the disabled list Monday with a shoulder injury.

Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski said Tuesday that the goal was to get Willis ready to pitch in the majors by 2009, and if it happened earlier, so be it.

Willis, who was uncharacteristically quiet while being interviewed yesterday, said he didn't know if he'd be able to earn a September call-up to Detroit.

"You'd have to ask them that," Willis said. "I don't really get into all of that. I just do what they tell me to do."

Willis, who came to the Tigers in December in the trade that also brought Detroit Miguel Cabrera, has had a rough first season in Motown. He suffered a hyperextended knee in April, and had accumulated a 10.32 ERA and walked 21 batters in 111/3 innings through his start against Cleveland on June 9.

After spending some time working on his mechanics away from game action, Willis pitched in six games for Lakeland, going 0-3 with a 4.50 ERA and 11 walks in 28 innings.

Signed to a three-year, $29 million contract extension shortly after arriving in Detroit, Willis described the progress he made in Lakeland as: "I'm in Toledo now. That's pretty much it."

Willis pitched for the Hens earlier this season while on rehab assignment, going 1-1 with a 4.41 ERA and seven walks in three games. Toledo manager Larry Parrish talked with Willis upon his arrival yesterday.

"He was typical Dontrelle - full of energy and ready to go," Parrish said.

SIDELINED: Hens outfielder Brent Clevlen was scratched from last night's lineup for what he described as extreme fatigue.

Clevlen has been taking medication for allergies and said he hasn't felt well for the last four days.

"I don't think it's just allergies," Clevlen said. "I've had allergies before and they didn't make me feel like I had no energy."

Clevlen also said: "It's not like I feel sick, but I don't feel right."

Clevlen has four hits in his last 25 at-bats (.160). He said he hopes to be able to play tonight against Louisville.

"It's pretty obvious that he has no energy right now," Parrish said.

LOSE ONE, ADD ONE: Hens relief pitcher Francis Beltran was promoted to Detroit yesterday to take the place of Joel Zumaya, who was placed on the DL with a sore right shoulder.

Beltran, 28, was 2-5 with a 4.81 ERA and three saves for the Hens. The right-hander was converted to the team's closer when Blaine Neal left to join Team USA for the Beijing Olympics late last month.

This is Beltran's second stint with the Tigers this year. He was 1-0 with a 5.79 ERA in five games with Detroit in April. Taking Beltran's place in Toledo is right-hander Matt Rusch, who was promoted from Double-A Erie and is back for another tour with the Hens.

Rusch was 2-0 with a 4.71 ERA in 20 games for Toledo earlier this season.

Contact Joe Vardon at:
jvardon@theblade.com
or 419-410-5055.

Article published Thursday, August 14, 2008
Bats take eighth straight vs. Mud Hens
By JOE VARDON
BLADE SPORTS WRITER

If the Mud Hens were going to make a final, last-gasp charge at the Louisville Bats in the International League West, they needed this one.

Friends, there isn't going to be a division championship in Mudville this year.

The Bats beat Toledo 6-4 in 12 innings last night, stretching their IL West lead to 11 games over the Hens with 19 games to play.

Toledo (65-60) has won the last three division titles, but has lost nine of its last 11 contests to fall so far behind Louisville.

"We knew what position we were in," said Toledo second baseman Michael Hollimon, who came in battling a 4-for-48 slump but collected two hits. "Our backs were against the wall. That's not to say we're going to lay down now, we're going to keep fighting. But it definitely would've been big to win tonight."

The Bats have won 11 of their last 12 games and 32 of their last 42, including their two most recent games in extra innings.

Luis Bolivar led off the 12th inning last night with a single against Toledo reliever Francisco Cruceta and scored on Michael Griffin's two-out double. Drew T. Anderson reached on an intentional walk and scored an insurance run on a wild pitch.

Tonight's game between the Hens and Bats is their final meeting this year. Since June 28, Toledo has dropped eight in a row against Louisville.

"You had to win both of these against them to have any chance," said Hens manager Larry Parrish, whose club also trails Pawtucket by 9 1/2 games for the wild card.

Louisville starting pitcher Homer Bailey entered the year as the Cincinnati Reds' No. 2 prospect according to Baseball America, but has struggled for much of the season. In fact, Bailey has not won a game since he beat the Hens on April 30 - a streak covering 11 starts for the Bats and eight for the Reds that continued last night.

Now, you might be questioning just how bad things actually are for Bailey if he's able to earn two promotions to the Reds this season, but consider this: Since he beat the Hens, his ERA has jumped over two runs, and he went 0-6 with a 7.93 ERA in eight games for Cincinnati.

Last night was Bailey's first start for Louisville since he was sent down Sunday. He was staked to leads of 3-0 and 4-3, but couldn't hold either.

The Hens scored three runs in the third on Freddy Guzman's double, Max Leon's sacrifice fly, and a wild pitch that allowed Guzman to score from third. But that would be all for Guzman, who left the game with an injured finger suffered while sliding into third base for his IL-best 45th stolen base.

Derek Wathan singled home Kody Kirkland in the seventh against Bailey to forge a 4-4 tie. The Bats had taken the lead in their half of the seventh on Drew Stubbs' solo homer off Toledo reliever Casey Fien.

Leon started in right - it was just his second outfield start this year - because Brent Clevlen (extreme fatigue) was scratched from the lineup. When Guzman left the game, Wathan moved from shortstop to left field and made a diving catch to end the sixth.

And with Francis Beltran's promotion to Detroit, the Hens didn't have a closer last night. Parrish said he didn't have one particular pitcher in mind to close, and will consider match-ups when a save situation arises.

Saving Toledo's season, however, doesn't sound like an option.

Contact Joe Vardon at:
jvardon@theblade.com
or 419-410-5055.


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Article published Friday, August 15, 2008
Mud Hens fall to Louisville
Bats again drop Toledo
By JOE VARDON
BLADE SPORTS WRITER

Losing at the pace the Mud Hens are losing games, not to mention the juncture at which they're losing them, turns a long season into an eternity.

With last night's 4-2 loss to Louisville, Toledo has dropped three of its last four and 10 of 12, and less than three weeks remain in a regular season that can't end fast enough.

Hens manager Larry Parrish is worried that because his players can see the finish line - the last of their remaining 18 games is Sept. 1 - they'll let their struggles get the better of them.

"This is the time of year you've got to keep fighting," Parrish said. "It's easier to let it beat you down if you're struggling this time of year than in May. In May, you think you've got a lot of season left. But when you start struggling at this time of year, you think, 'I've got two weeks to go of this and then I'll be home.'•"

The conclusion of last night's game was prolonged after Bats pitcher Matt Belisle was injured with two outs while stretching for an errant throw covering first base.

Both teams waited several minutes while Louisville closer Jon Adkins warmed up. Once he was ready, he struck out pinch hitter Dusty Ryan with the tying runs on base to end it.

If you're still keeping track, the loss dropped the Hens 12 games behind the Bats for first place in the International League West. Toledo went 7-14 against Louisville this year.

"Man, I'm tired of losing," Parrish said with a sigh.

At least Parrish's bunch made it interesting. Trailing 4-1 heading into the ninth, Jeff Larish and Erick Almonte each singled, and Larish scored on Luis Bolivar's bad throw that led to Belisle's injury.

Parrish's problem was with the first eight innings. Toledo managed just one run on four hits against Bats starter Matt Maloney and reliever Josh Roenicke, the lone run coming on Kody Kirkland's second-inning homer.

"It wasn't exactly Sandy Koufax out there," Parrish said.

Lost for answers, Parrish said he turned to Toby Harrah, Detroit's minor league hitting coordinator, for any kind of advice.

"I said, 'Toby, if you've got anything right now, I'll take it,'•" Parrish said.

NOTES: The Tigers optioned reliever Freddy Dolsi to Toledo yesterday following Detroit's 5-1 victory over Toronto. Dolsi, 25, skipped Triple-A when the Tigers promoted him from Double-A Erie to the big leagues May 3. He went 1-4 with two saves and a 3.96 ERA in 33 games for Detroit in his first stint as a major leaguer. The right-hander had never pitched above Double-A prior to this season. … Reliever Matt Rusch was sent back to Erie to make room for Dolsi. Rusch was only with the Hens this time for one day, promoted Wednesday to take Francis Beltran's place. … The Hens begin an eight-game road trip tonight in Richmond. Left-hander Dontrelle Willis is scheduled to pitch for Toledo for the first time since being promoted from Single-A Lakeland earlier this week. The Hens' final homestand this year begins a week from tomorrow. … Brent Clevlen (fatigue) didn't play for the second straight game. Freddy Guzman (finger) pinch-ran in the ninth inning and stole his league-high 46th base, but Parrish said he won't be able to bat for the next few days.

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Article published Saturday, August 16, 2008
Willis talks with arm, Ryan with bat as Mud Hens top Richmond
By PATRICK JANSSEN
SPECIAL TO THE BLADE

RICHMOND, Va. — By this date in 2005, Dontrelle Willis had already won 15 major league games en route to a 22-win season with the Florida Marlins. Three years later, things have changed significantly for the 26-year-old, who before last night had just one win all season, a six-inning decision against Columbus on May 17.

That might explain why Willis was in no mood to chat following a 7-2 triumph over the Richmond Braves last night in his second stint with the Toledo Mud Hens.

Willis did not talk to reporters after an outing in which he surrendered just two runs in six innings.

After struggling through injuries and control issues early in his first season with Detroit, Willis was sent down to Class A Lakeland on June 29, where he was 0-3 with a 4.50 ERA.

Making his first start since being promoted to Toledo, Willis displayed stronger command. He walked just two while striking out five.

“I thought [Willis] stayed under control and did a good job tonight,” said Toledo manager Larry Parrish. “He was a little erratic at times, but sometimes that’s sort of a good thing. He kept them a little off balance and they couldn’t really sit on anything.”

Though Willis lost his final three starts with Lakeland, those three appearances were what prompted his promotion to Toledo. Willis gave up just one earned run in five innings on July 31, his first outing of five innings or more since being demoted in June. He then pitched into the seventh inning on Aug. 5 and into the eighth inning on Aug. 10. Over his final three starts in the Florida State League, Willis surrendered nine runs in just under 19 innings.

Against the Braves, Willis threw 103 pitches and reached the low to mid 90s on the radar gun.

“He looked better than when we saw him in May,” Parrish said. “He’s really progressed nicely. I think, right now, he just needs to take it one step at a time.”

With Toledo still clinging to a 1-0 lead, Willis worked himself out of a jam in the fourth inning. With runners at second and third with one out, Willis struck out Jason Perry. After issuing a walk to Corky Miller, Willis got Wes Timmons to ground weakly to shortstop Max Leon for the final out. The lefty returned for the sixth inning, needing just 15 pitches to retire the side.

Willis received aid from the Toledo bats, particularly that of Dusty Ryan. The Toledo catcher finished 3-for-5 with four RBIs, including a three-run home run in the fifth inning.

“That’s a kid who’s made a lot of progress in a year with the bat,” Parrish said of Ryan. “He’s always been able to throw, but he’s made a lot of progress as a hitter.

“He’s been stinging the ball since he’s got with us. I look for him to get a September call-up. He’s a guy who’s played his way onto the map.”

In just 10 games with the Mud Hens, Ryan is batting .389 with two home runs and 10 RBIs.

“I’m just seeing the ball really well right now,” Ryan said. “When you’re locked in, you’ve got to take advantage and put good solid contact on the ball. I guess that’s what I did tonight.”

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Article published Sunday, August 17, 2008
Infield defense lets Hens down
By BRIAN J. FRENCH
SPECIAL TO THE BLADE

RICHMOND, Va. — Keeping the ball in the infield is usually the doing of good pitching.

Last night, it was the undoing of the Toledo Mud Hens defense.

The Mud Hens’ 8-1 loss to the Richmond Braves was an all-systems failure. They gave up 15 hits and, after a no-out home run by Brent Clevlen in the top of the second inning, they advanced only one runner past first base.

But The Diamond infield took its measure of Toledo in the bottom of the fourth inning.

With one out and Richmond up 3-1, Carl Loadenthal reached first with a single just past shortstop Max Leon.

Enrique Cruz followed with a grounder to Leon that could have resulted in an inning-ending double play.

But Leon struggled with the hop, then threw late to first baseman Jeff Larish, whose throw to get Loadenthal out at third was also late.

The Braves scored two more runs that inning and never looked back. They finished with six infield singles, three coming in the fourth.

“This field’s always been a little rough,” Hens manager Larry Parrish said.

At first, it looked like the offensive outburst that carried the Mud Hens to a 7-2 win here Friday night was going to repeat. They had runners on the corners in the first inning, and Clevlen’s 22nd homer of the season knotted the score 1-1 in the second.

But Richmond pitcher Brian Lawrence settled down, and he and three relievers held Toledo to three hits the rest of the way.

“He [Lawrence] started throwing a lot of breaking stuff, and we have a lot of trouble with that,” Parrish said.

In fact, outside of Clevlen’s homer and a first-inning double by Timo Perez, the most success the Mud Hens had hitting Richmond pitchers was when they literally hit Richmond pitchers.

Larish smacked a line drive off the knee of starter Manny Acosta, who had been sent down from Atlanta earlier in the day.

Acosta, only scheduled to pitch only the first inning in any event, was replaced by Lawrence, who was originally scheduled to start.

Kody Kirkland hit Lawrence with a shot in the fifth inning, but Lawrence stayed in. He gave up three hits and a run in 41/3 innings to improve to 4-5.

Yorman Bazardo also lasted 41/3 innings for the Hens, but his had a much rougher go of it, giving up six runs and nine hits to fall to 4-10 while his ERA rose to 6.61.

Cruz, who entered the game hitting .204, was 3-for-4 with two RBIs.

Loadenthal went 3-for-3, while Josh Anderson and Barbaro Canizares were each 3-for-5.

The Mud Hens continue their last series in Richmond today at 2 p.m., sending Virgil Vasquez to the mound against the Braves’ Jo-Jo Reyes.

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Article published Monday, August 18, 2008
Mud Hens’ Almonte really in the pink as Toledo tops Richmond
Shows manager he can hit in clutch
By PATRICK JANSSEN
SPECIAL TO THE BLADE

RICHMOND, Va.—A hit is not always a batter’s best weapon.

Through the first five innings, Toledo was outhitting the Richmond Braves, 10-3, but the Mud Hens were only able to claim an uncomfortable 3-2 advantage on the scoreboard.

It wasn’t until the sixth inning, when Toledo scraped together three runs off just two hits, that the Mud Hens gave themselves some breathing room in an eventual 6-5 victory.

The Mud Hens loaded the bases, thanks to a walk, a hit batsman and an infield single, all off Richmond reliever Michael Nix.

Damian Moss replaced Nix with two outs, but provided similar results.

Moss issued a bases-loaded walk to Jeff Larish before surrendering a two-run single to Erick Almonte.


Almonte was 3-for-3 with two outs and runners in scoring position during yesterday’s game. Entering the afternoon, he was 4-for-28 in such situations all season.

Toledo manager Larry Parrish had a surprise of his own for the Mud Hens.

“We were joking with the guys about their toughness, so we wrote out the lineup card in pink today,” Parrish said.

“I was really happy with the way Erick played today. We might have to put his name in pink every night.”

Virgil Vasquez (8-12) picked up his third win of the month, allowing four runs on seven hits in 62/3 innings of work.

Vasquez is 3-1 in his last four starts with a 2.51 ERA.

Prior to his current hot stretch, Vasquez had endured three consecutive starts in which he did not make it out of the fourth inning.

He was 0-4 with a 7.61 ERA in July.

“I don’t really know what the difference is with him,” Parrish said.

“He’s doing a lot of the same things this month that he was doing last month. He’s just having a lot more success now.”

Despite looking sharp through the first six innings, Vasquez was touched up in the seventh inning.

The Mud Hens’ 6-1 lead nearly dissipated after Vasquez allowed a leadoff home run to Jason Perry and a two-out RBI triple to Josh Anderson.

The latter chased Vasquez and extended Anderson’s hitting streak to a current league-high 23 games.

Freddy Dolsi replaced Vasquez and picked up the save in his first appearance with the Mud Hens since being sent down from Detroit on Friday.

Dolsi allowed one run on two hits in 21/3 innings.

NOTES: Detroit purchased the contract of Mud Hens right-handed reliever Gary Glover. Glover pitched four scoreless innings with the Mud Hens after being released by Tampa Bay. He will replace Todd Jones on the Tigers’ roster. Jones was placed on the disabled list yesterday with a sore right shoulder.


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Article published Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Richmond's Jones too much for Hens
Hits 2 homers, drives in all runs
By PATRICK JANSSEN
SPECIAL TO THE BLADE

RICHMOND, Va. - It was just one of those nights.

Richmond left fielder Brandon Jones had as many RBIs as Toledo had hits, helping the Braves to a 3-0 win over the Mud Hens.

Toledo starting pitcher Anastacio Martinez (2-5) made few mistakes, but Jones made him pay for each one, driving in all three Richmond runs. Jones produced half of Richmond's six hits - a pair of solo home runs and an RBI single. The 24-year-old has hit three home runs in the last two games against Toledo pitching. He has eight home runs for the entire season.

"[Martinez] was throwing a lot of strikes," Jones said. "I was able to sit on a couple pitches and make good, solid contact."

Four Richmond pitchers combined on a three-hit shutout. Making a rehab start, Manny Acosta pitched just one inning. He worked out of a bases-loaded jam before nearly reaching his 30-pitch limit. He threw 25 pitches, 12 for strikes.

Handling much of the workload for the Braves pitching staff was James Parr (3-3). He struck out five batters over six scoreless innings to pick up the win. Jeff Ridgeway and Jorge Julio held the Mud Hens scoreless over the final two innings. Julio got the final four outs for his ninth save.

Timo Perez was the only Mud Hen to drop a ball onto the outfield grass at The Diamond. He singled in his first two at-bats. Perez walked in his other two plate appearances.

The only other Toledo hit was a bunt single by leadoff batter Derek Watham in the fifth inning.

"We just didn't have it tonight," said catcher Dusty Ryan. "Anastacio pitched well enough for us to win. We just couldn't get good contact all night. They threw a lot of pitchers at us, and we couldn't hit any of them."

The Mud Hens and Braves split the four-game set, with Toledo taking the first and third games of the series.

Toledo opens another four-game series on the road tonight. The Mud Hens will send right-hander Chris Lambert (12-8, 3.60) against Norfolk's Andy Mitchell (12-7, 4.55).

NOTES: Richmond center fielder Josh Anderson extended his current league-high hitting streak to 24 games with a double in the first inning. ... If there was one aspect of Toledo's game that outshined that of Richmond, it was base running. The Mud Hens stole three bases, including a pair by Watham, while Ryan caught a pair of Richmond runners attempting to steal. ... With two errors last night, the Mud Hens have committed 100 this season.


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Article published Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Mud Hens make do with 2 runs in victory
By JIM HODGES
SPECIAL TO THE BLADE

NORFOLK, Va. - Late yesterday afternoon, batting coach Leon "Bull" Durham preached a sermon to the Mud Hens entitled "Three-and-a-half runs a game ain't gonna get it."

It's what they have averaged through a miserable August in which the Hens are 6-12.

It's less than the Hens could mount last night in a game they won 2-1 when Jeff Larish lined a ball off the glove of Norfolk first baseman Jeff Costanzo in the 11th inning to drive in Clete Thomas.

"I told him, 'Your Knute Rockne didn't do it tonight,'•" said Hens manager Larry Parrish, laughing at a rare win of late.

Well, maybe the talk did work. It depends on who is making the assessment.

"It was about situational hitting," Durham said. "Stuff like getting a runner over from second to third. Working the count. We got some walks tonight [six]. I saw some things I liked."

One of them couldn't be that the Hens managed only four hits in a game that featured pitchers matching zeroes. And which featured baserunners taking frequent liberties against Hens catcher Max St-Pierre and Tides receiver Chris Heinz.

The Hens had six stolen bases off Heinz, who caught only Derek Wathan on a pitchout in the 10th inning.

Norfolk stole three bases against St-Pierre, who threw out only Eider Torres in the 10th.

In the end, Thomas' stolen base made the difference. That, and perhaps Durham's Knute Rockne imitation.

With one out, Thomas worked Tides reliever Fredy Deza for a walk, then stole second. He scored when Larish lined a ball toward Costanza's backhand. The Tides first baseman slowed the ball down but couldn't keep it out of short right field, with Thomas never stopping when he rounded third. He scored the game-winning run easily.

An inning earlier, the Mud Hens' Freddy Guzman reached third base with one out on a single, stolen base and passed ball, only to be thrown out at the plate on Wathan's one-hopper to Costanza.

"We had to send him the way we've been scoring runs lately," Parrish said.

Besides the paucity of offense, the game featured some weird scoreboard watching involving teams going in different directions.

The Hens are 13 games behind Louisville in the IL West with 13 games to play after the Bats rallied to beat Durham 9-8 yesterday.

Toledo won the division in each of the last three years.

"Realistically now, we're playing to stay above .500 and for some personal things," Parrish said. "We've been above .500 for some years now."

The Hens, who are 68-63, can finish over .500 for the fourth season in a row for the first time since 1941-44.

Norfolk, a team that was 23 games below .500 in July, is only 5 1/2 games behind Durham in the IL South and is 12-6 in August.

It was a rare game in which all seven pitchers were effective.

Even the losing pitcher for the Tides, Deza, gave up only an unearned run and struck out two in the 11th inning.

Article published Friday, August 22, 2008
Hens' hopes to win West over
By JIM HODGES
Special to The Blade

NORFOLK, Va. - Harbor Park is generally a place where fly balls go to die, so it figured to be a haven for Mud Hens pitcher Yorman Bazardo.

The wind generally blows in from the Elizabeth River, which flows just beyond the right field wall.

But Bazardo's month-long tale of woe continued in the third inning last night when the wind shifted, blowing out to right and taking a three-run homer by Norfolk's Tike Redman with it in a 7-1 win over the Hens.

Bazardo has given up 18 homers in 23 games. The Tides have only 23 home runs at Harbor Park all season, and Redman has only three homers anywhere.

Then again, it wasn't that the home run needed all that much help from the breeze in sailing about 385 feet.

"He hit it well," offered Hens manager Larry Parrish. "That was no cheapie."

The Tides added three more runs in the fourth inning and one in the eighth in breaking the Hens' modest winning streak at two games and extending Bazardo's losing streak to six.

He last won on July 20.

"He was inconsistent tonight," pitching coach A.J. Sager said. "And he got a fastball up over the plate to Redman."

That inconsistency was reflected early when Eider Torres hit Bazardo's first pitch for a triple. Hens right fielder Timo Perez then threw out Torres at the plate to complete a double play after a fly ball.

Then Bazardo gave up hits to Oscar Salazar and Mike Constanzo, then walked Luis Terrero to load the bases before retiring Redmon on a ground ball to first baseman Jeff Larish.

"He was like Houdini out there, getting out of that first inning," Parrish said. "I thought it was our night, particularly when we came back and scored."

That was in the third inning when Perez singled home Freddy Guzman. But by game's end, the five Norfolk pitchers had struck out 11 Hens, Brent Clevlen three times. That's the way it's gone lately for Toledo, which is 7-13 for August and has played itself completely out of the IL West race which was clinched last night by Louisville, which beat Durham and which is 17-3 for August.

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Article published Saturday, August 23, 2008
Hens 'steal' win from Tides
By JIM HODGES
SPECIAL TO THE BLADE

NORFOLK, Va. - A crime spree broke out here over the last four days, with Freddy Guzman as Norfolk enemy No. 1.

Guzman stole three bases and scored three runs last night, leading the Mud Hens to a 6-5 win over the Tides in a game that seemed pretty typical for him lately.

He had six steals and scored five runs in a series the Hens won, three games to one.

"That's my game," Guzman said. "If I'm going to get the opportunity, I'm going to run, and I'm going to score runs."

His record bears him out. Guzman leads the International League with 52 stolen bases, which again is fairly typical. He twice led the Pacific Coast League in steals for other organizations.

"He has that great first step," said manager Larry Parrish, who was just happy to see the Hens rap out 11 hits in an August in which they have been scarce.

Letting his charges run wild on the bases is a way to combat Harbor Park's generous dimensions.

"This ballpark makes you play that way," added Parrish of giving Guzman the green light on just about any opportunity. And he had plenty of help in a series in which the Hens stole 15 bases.

The Hens - who were tied with Pawtucket for the IL lead in home runs when the series began - did not hit one over the four games.

That didn't keep their starting pitcher Virgil Vasquez from surrendering his 26th of the season, tops in the IL. The shot was hit by Luis Terrero to lead off the fifth inning.

His homer closed the Hens' advantage to 5-3. They had earned five runs over the first four innings against lefthander Garrett Olson gave up nine hits and walked three Hens, and he needed 93 pitches to get through his five innings, 32 in the first alone.

Vasquez pitched five innings to earn his third win in a row. He was supplanted by relievers Matt Rusch and Clay Rapada, who set up Francisco Cruceta's third save in four nights.

But it didn't come with comfort.

"He does that some times," said Parrish, obviously relieved.

Cruceta walked Terrero and Luis Hernandez to lead off the ninth inning, and Tike Redmon's single drove home Terrero. A sacrifice by Eider Torres put runners on second and third with one out."

"But he has that out pitch," said Parrish. "You saw it on those last two hitters."

The "out pitch" is a split-finger fastball that struck out Jeff Fiorentino and Freddie Bynum to end the ball game and send the Hens back to Toledo on a high note.


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Article published Sunday, August 24, 2008
Tigers' call fires up Lambert
By JOE VARDON
BLADE SPORTS WRITER

There were times, especially last season, when Mud Hens pitcher Chris Lambert thought it might never happen.

No invites into the manager's office, no handshake and piece of advice, no trip to the big leagues.

Lambert doesn't have to worry about that anymore. He was told yesterday he will make his major league debut Tuesday night when he pitches for the Detroit Tigers against the Cleveland Indians.

'I'm fired up,' Lambert said yesterday after he heard the news. 'I'm kind of speechless, really.'

Lambert, who was supposed to pitch for Toledo tonight against Richmond, is 12-8 with a 3.50 ERA this year. A No. 1 draft pick by St. Louis in 2004, he came to the
Tigers' organization in a trade for Mike Maroth last August.

Now 25, Lambert spent most of last season pitching out of the bullpen for Triple-A Memphis, and it didn't go well. He went 1-4 with a 7.49 ERA and gave up 10 homers in 572/3 innings.

'Last year was the lowest I've ever been,' Lambert said.

Hens manager Larry Parrish said Lambert took a step forward this year by using his fastball, breaking ball, and changeup consistently. Parrish said Lambert also learned not to let his emotions control his pitching.

'He's gotten a lot better at that — not getting bogged down when he gives up a hit or there's an error,' Parrish said.

Lambert is headed to the Tigers to pitch in the place of Nate Robertson, who was banished to the bullpen after his latest start.

Lambert's first big-league matchup? How about American League Cy Young frontrunner Cliff Lee, who is 18-2.

'Sweet,' Lambert said with a sigh. 'I guess he's bound to lose sometime.'

Right-hander Jeremy Johnson (4-2, 5.68 ERA) will start in Lambert's place against Richmond tonight.

HERE SOON: Parrish said that pitcher Freddy Garcia, who recently signed a minor-league deal with the Tigers, could join the Hens this week.

Garcia, who had shoulder surgery last August, pitched three scoreless innings for Single-A Lakeland yesterday. The two-time all-star worked 200 innings for six straight seasons through 2006, but hasn't pitched in the majors since June of 2007.

Also, Hens pitcher Eddie Bonine said he will not pitch again this season. He is recovering from a partially torn lat muscle that he said doesn't require surgery.
Bonine finished his first full Triple-A season 12-4 with a 4.15 ERA. He also went 2-1 with a 5.40 ERA for the Tigers this year.

HONORED: Frank Gilhooley Sr. and Gene Cook were honored posthumously last night as 2008 inductees into the International League Hall of Fame in a ceremony presided over by league president Randy Mobley.

Gilhooley, father of Hens broadcaster Frank Gilhooley Jr., played in the IL from 1913-15 and 1920-29, batting over .300 11 times. He was born in Toledo in 1892 and died here in 1959.

Cook, a former Toledo city councilman, was the Hens' general manager from 1978-98 and their executive vice president from 1998-2002. He died in February of 2002 in Toledo and is credited with reviving sagging Hens attendance and working with Jamie Farr to incorporate the Hens' franchise into episodes of the hit TV show
M.A.S.H.

Of Cook, current Hens GM Joe Napoli said: 'Not a day goes by that we don't think about Gene, and, quite frankly, that he saved the Toledo Mud Hens franchise.'

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Article published Sunday, August 24, 2008
Hens, Tigers, Indians look ahead
By JOE VARDON
BLADE SPORTS WRITER

Driving to Fifth Third Field yesterday, the outside temperature read 94 degrees on my dashboard.

That's hot, obviously.

I bring this up because with an early evening like last night — the sun shining, sweat pouring from fans and players alike, usual smells of the ballpark filling noses — it's hard to believe the 2008 season is almost over.

Tonight marks the Mud Hens' last Sunday home game this year. Their last home game, period, is Friday, and they will wind up the season Sept. 1 in Columbus.

The Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians of the major leagues have a little more than a month left of games, but let's get real. The year has been over for both for quite some time.

And as for this weekly column, which has run virtually uninterrupted (took a week's vacation somewhere in there) since the second week of the regular season, today is it. We plan to be back next year, and like the Tigers, Indians, and Hens, hope to improve upon 2008.

If Detroit and Cleveland don't do better next season, they'll both really be in trouble.
The two teams were predicted to battle one another for supremacy in the American League Central. With five weeks left, they're competing for third place — and the fact that the Indians could conceivably catch and pass the Tigers for third shows just how hard Motown's club has fallen.

Entering the All-Star break, Detroit was 47-47, seven games behind first-place Chicago. The Indians were 13 games out.

Before play last night, the Tigers were 11 games out of first and just 2½ games ahead of the Indians, who come to Comerica Park tomorrow for a three-game series.

Oh, the anticipation.

While still mathematically possible, it goes without saying that neither club will finish first in the AL Central or win the wild card.

The Indians, though, are trying to build momentum toward a return to prominence next year. Cleveland's defense of its 2007 AL Central championship fell short, but the Tribe is playing now like it's trying to prove its title defense was short-circuited by injuries more than anything else.

Prior to last night's contest, Cleveland had won 11 of its last 14 games despite the trades of CC Sabathia, Casey Blake, and Paul Byrd to contending teams.

At 18-2, Cliff Lee is on his way to a Cy Young Award. Grady Sizemore is among the game's top all-around players, and Jhonny Peralta is developing a track record as one of the league's top hitting shortstops.

Assuming this string of solid play continues, the Indians will make the argument that had core players Victor Martinez, Travis Hafner, Fausto Carmona, and Jake Westbrook not missed huge amounts of time with injuries, the team would've been a factor in the division.

Cleveland undoubtedly has issues to address — namely, its bullpen, third base, and either left or right field — but the feeling around the Indians isn't nearly as negative as it was when they were losing 10 straight in June and July.

The Tigers are only now realizing their disappointment. After preaching all year that they were capable of overcoming a slow start — the Tigers began the year 0-7 and 2-12 — a 16-18 record since the all-star break only shows that they didn't have a second-half charge in them after all.

I sat down to write this column believing that Detroit's touted lineup — which was predicted to produce 1,000 runs this year — was full of players who didn't live up to their track records, but that's not the case. Only Edgar Renteria (.266 average, seven homers, and 43 RBIs) and Gary Sheffield (.234, 13 homers, 42 RBIs) are going to fall significantly short of matching their career numbers among the Tigers' regulars.

Detroit has a club option on Renteria's contract for next year and may not pick it up. It owes Sheffield $14 million in 2009 and must hope his ailing shoulder was the reason for his first-half struggles this season.

Where the Tigers really swung and missed this year was on the mound. Only two-fifths of their starting rotation (Justin Verlander, Kenny Rogers) still remains, and just one of the three pitchers replaced since opening day (Jeremy Bonderman) is out because of injury.

Dontrelle Willis and Nate Robertson pitched themselves out of the rotation, and Willis was so bad he ended up in Single-A Lakeland before a recent promotion to Toledo. The Tigers have $17 million wrapped up in Willis and Robertson for next year.

Closer Todd Jones pitched himself out of his role as well, and neither Fernando Rodney nor Joel Zumaya has proven they can be counted on to close full time.

After spending about $138 million on player salaries in 2008 and failing to even contend, Detroit owner Mike Ilitch may not be as willing to fork out as much cash next season. And if he is, he'd probably prefer it go toward bolstering the pitching staff.

Perhaps the best reason to hope for the Tigers is the Indians' Lee. After all, Lee struggled so mightily last year that he was sent to Triple-A Buffalo and was not a part of Cleveland's playoff rotation.

Now look at it him. Perhaps some Tigers can enjoy similar resurgences.
Meanwhile, there will be no playoff baseball in Mudville for the first time since 2004.

How the Hens rebound next year could depend on any offseason moves the Tigers make, but core players Jeff Larish, Brent Clevlen, Michael Hollimon, and Clete Thomas all could open 2009 in Toledo.

Yep, we'll surely go from the heat of August to the hot stove in no time, but let's not get ahead of ourselves.

There are still games to play, hot dogs to eat, sunburns to be had.

Just no more Batting Around, not this year. Thanks for reading.

Contact Joe Vardon at: jvardon@theblade.com or 419-410-5055.

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Article published Sunday, August 24, 2008
Hens, fans take one on the chin
Richmond adds to Toledo woes
BLADE STAFF

Toledoans love their Mud Hens, even when the club doesn't warrant it.

Despite the Hens' struggles this season — they're not going to make the playoffs for the first time since 2004 — their fans are still coming to Fifth Third Field in droves. A sold-out crowd of 11,072 filed in to watch Toledo lose to the Richmond Braves 6-1 last night, extending the ballpark's record consecutive sellout streak to 15 games.

That's a lot of love, especially when considering the Hens are just 35-31 at home this year. They haven't finished fewer than 19 games over .500 at Fifth Third Field since 2004, when they went 36-36.

Noticing a pattern here?

'If we were better at home, we'd be in it,' Toledo manager Larry Parrish said. 'The fans are showing up, but we're really struggling offensively.'

With the Hens' postseason dream long gone, their focus now is on avoiding their first losing record since — you guessed it — 2004. They've got nine games left, including six during their final homestand this season, and are 70-65 after this latest defeat.

Toledo's return from a successful, 5-3 road trip last night was a struggle throughout.

Already trailing 2-0, Hens starting pitcher Anastacio Martinez was stung for four runs in the fifth inning. Richmond's No. 9 hitter, Wes Timmons, hadn't homered in 222 at-bats this season, but muscled one out to start the rally.

In all, seven consecutive hitters reached against Martinez in the fifth before he was pulled for reliever Ian Ostlund. An error by Hens first baseman Jeff Larish aided
Richmond's cause, as did an RBI double by Barbaro (no relation) Canizares.

'He didn't have his best stuff tonight,' Parrish said of Martinez. 'He threw a lot of breaking balls early in the game, and they weren't breaking.'

The R-Braves (57-77) also had a homer from Corky Miller, who blasted a solo shot in the fourth. Miller doubled and scored in the second.

The Hens, meanwhile, continue to suffer through a power outage. After having been on pace to break the International League's home run record at one point this year, Toledo needs eight homers to tie the team record of 176.

Put a different way — the Hens had 88 homers through May 23, when they were on pace to obliterate the league record of 232. Now they have 168.

Part of that is two big boppers — Mike Hessman (32 homers) and Matt Joyce (13 homers) — are gone to Team USA and the Detroit Tigers. Other sluggers like Larish (21 homers), Brent Clevlen (22 homers), and Michael Hollimon (15 homers) spent time with the Tigers earlier this year.

But those players are back with the Hens, and the balls aren't flying off their bats like they used to. Larish hasn't homered at home since May 25.

It was Larish who broke up Richmond's shutout last night. He doubled with one out against reliever Royce Ring in the ninth, driving in Timo Perez.

'When you start trying to force things, it doesn't often work out too good for you,' Larish said. 'All I can do is go up there, regardless of the situation, and try to put together good at-bats. All of those other things, I can't control.'

NOTE: Bronze medalists Mike Hessman and Blaine Neal will return to the Mud Hens tomorrow.

— Joe Vardon

Article published Monday, August 25, 2008
Breaking stuff shackles Hens
Guzman bags base theft record with Nos. 53, 54
By JOE VARDON
BLADE SPORTS WRITER

It’s an absurd thought, really — attempting to steal home in the first inning.

But if Freddy Guzman knew, or Larry Parrish knew, or anybody else wearing a Mud Hens uniform knew that steals master Guzman standing on third base with one out in the first would be Toledo’s best chance to score last night ...

Maybe Guzman might have tried it?

“Nah, not in that situation,” Guzman said. “I was on third with one out, so there were two guys to try to bring me in.”

Guzman stayed put, and so did the Hens’ run total. They were shut out 6-0 by a host of Richmond Braves pitchers.

Guzman opened the first with a single and promptly stole second base, tying Toledo’s modern-era single-season record with 53 steals.

Clete Thomas followed with a walk, and the two executed a double steal with one out — allowing Guzman to surpass Tack Wilson.

But Braves pitcher Brad Nelson, who started in place of the injured Chuck James, stranded Guzman and Thomas by striking out Dusty Ryan and getting Brent Clevlen to fly to center.

“At that time, especially with where we were at pitching-wise, we didn’t know one run was going to hold up,” said Parrish.

As it turned out, one run didn’t hold up. But that’s not the issue right now.

Guzman joined the Hens when he was promoted from Double-A Erie on May 7. Including his steals with the SeaWolves, Guzman has 69 steals this year — the fourth time in six years he’s had at least 50 steals.

Guzman has 54 for the Hens, whose all-time leader is Jeremiah McDonough. McDonough stole 80 bases in 1899.

“When I get on base, I’m not scared to run and I try every time,” Guzman said. “It’s my game, it’s what I do. I get on base, steal bases, and we score runs.”

Well, almost.

Guzman had two of Toledo’s four hits. Kody Kirkland had the other two, including a one-out double in the seventh.

Parrish said most of the Hens’ 12 strikeouts came against breaking pitches. He said he was astonished an entire team could struggle consistently against the same type of pitch, which is exactly what’s happening to Toledo.

Richmond’s Nelson, Jeff Ridgway, Jonathon Rouwenhorst, and former Cleveland Indian Jorge Julio all threw their breaking stuff to the helpless Hens.

“We’ve got some guys with good breaking balls,” Braves manager Dave Brundage said. “Johnnie All Staff picked us up tonight.”

What Parrish meant when he was talking about one run holding up was that he didn’t know Jeremy Johnson would pitch as effectively for as long as he did last night.

Making his first start since May 25, Toledo’s Johnson allowed a run on five hits over five innings. He started in place of Chris Lambert, who will pitch for the Tigers against Cleveland tomorrow.

Johnson had been in the bullpen since returning from the disabled list July 7.

Freddy Dolsi followed Johnson with 22/3 scoreless innings. Had the Hens scored one or two in the first, or maybe taken advantage of Kirkland’s double or one of Thomas’ three walks, perhaps the ninth inning would have gone differently.

But let’s deal in reality. Trailing 1-0, Francisco Cruceta was roughed up for five runs on four hits and a walk in the ninth, turning a close game into something else.

“They hit his fastball,” Parrish said of Cruceta. “I don’t care if it’s 96 mph. It’s straight.”

NOTE: Pitcher Freddy Garcia will make his Toledo debut this week. Garcia, a two-time all-star recovering from 2007 shoulder surgery, will start Wednesday against Columbus. He has been pitching at Single-A Lakeland after recently signing a minor league contract with the Tigers.

Contact Joe Vardon at:jvardon@theblade.com or 419-410-5055.

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Article published Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Hens get much needed relief from Rusch in win
By JOHN WAGNER
BLADE SPORTS WRITER

Olympic heroes Mike Hessman and Blaine Neal returned to the Mud Hens before last night's game. But an all-day plane ride made both of them unavailable to play.

Luckily Matt Rusch stepped forward and filled the role of hero in Toledo's 3-2 win over Richmond at Fifth Third Field.

With the Hens bullpen already overworked heading into the contest, and starter Dontrelle Willis out with an injury after only one inning, Rusch threw five scoreless innings to help Toledo snap a two-game losing streak.

"Matt Rusch came up huge," Hens manager Larry Parrish said. "We just had enough pitching to finish the game. If we had gone one more inning, [catcher Max] St-Pierre would have been pitching."

Richmond broke on top with a two-out rally against Willis in the first. Scott Thorman lined an 0-2 pitch to left for a single, then stole second. Barbaro Canizares followed with a single to right and, while right fielder Brent Clevlen's throw home seemed to beat Thorman, catcher Dusty Ryan wasn't able to hang onto the throw.

Willis left the game after the first and declined to speak to reporters after the contest. Parrish said Willis came out of the game because of forearm tightness but had no other word about his condition.

Fortunately for Toledo, Rusch came on and retired the first 14 Braves he faced before Brent Lillibridge lined a two-out triple into the right-field corner.

Rusch kept Richmond off the scoreboard when he got Scott Thorman to fly out.

"I had a good fastball, and I was going in and out to keep them off balance," Rusch said. "Plus, my breaking ball has been better at times, but it was pretty reliable for me. Those two pitches kept them off balance and did the job."

Relievers Freddy Dolsi, Jeremy Johnson and Ian Ostlund had logged multiple innings the previous two days, and both Francisco Cruceta and Clay Rapada had thrown on both Friday and Sunday. That meant Rusch and Casey Fien were the only pitchers available for more than one inning in a game where the bullpen had to cover eight.

"I knew we were shorthanded," Rusch said. "I just tried to give the team some innings, but I didn't think about going five.

"In my memory, I don't remember going farther than five innings."

Rusch threw 58 pitches, 42 of which were strikes, and fired first-pitch strikes to 11 of the 16 batters he faced. Parrish said that economy was the key to Rusch's success.

"He attacked the strike zone," Parrish said. "It was a night where we needed him to attack the strike zone and give us innings, and he gave them to us.

"They hit a couple of balls firmly, but we didn't care how they hit the balls as long as they were outs."

Fien relieved Rusch in the seventh and allowed two of the first three batters he faced to reach base. But he escaped that threat by coaxing Jason Phillips to ground into an inning-ending double play, then set down all three R-Braves he faced in the eighth.

Rapada, who had pitched the day before, gave up a home run to Scott Thorman in the ninth but avoided further trouble to claim his second save.

The Hens, who had scored just one run in the past two games, managed enough runs to support that strong pitching performance, scoring twice in the third and a critical run in the fifth.

Kody Kirkland got the third-inning rally started with a four-pitch walk, and he came all the way around to score when Max Leon's single to right was misplayed by former Hen Jason Perry into an error that allowed Leon to reach third.

Leon came home on a single by Freddy Guzman, giving the Hens their first lead of the homestand, a span of 21 innings.

The Hens added a run in the fifth thanks to back-to-back singles by Leon and Guzman and a fielder's choice by Clete Thomas. But Toledo left the bases loaded, and stranded eight in the game.

"We had a hit-and-run that worked to put Max in scoring position," Parrish said. "We bunched a few hits and a walk to push across three, and then we hung on for dear life."

NOTES: Former major leaguer Freddy Garcia saw his debut with the Mud Hens pushed back to Thursday. Garcia, who signed with the Tigers earlier this month, threw two innings for Single-A Lakeland Saturday. … Before yesterday's game Hessman was activated in place of Derek Wathan, who went on the disabled list with a sore lower back. Neal will be activated today when the Mud Hens lose pitcher Chris Lambert to Detroit. Lambert will start for the Tigers against Cleveland. … Last night's crowd of 7,215 broke the Mud Hens' string of consecutive sellouts at 16.

Contact John Wagner at:
jwagner@theblade.com
or 419-724-6481.

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Article published Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Hessman, Neal named to IL postseason all-start team
By JOHN WAGNER
BLADE SPORTS WRITER

Two Mud Hens, third baseman Mike Hessman and closer Blaine Neal, both were named to the International League’s postseason all-star team Tuesday.

Hessman and Neal both were the top voter-getters at their positions in a survey of the league’s managers, coaches, media and club representatives.

Hessman, who returned to the lineup yesterday after spending time with the Olympic team, ranks second in the IL with 32 home runs and has 66 RBIs with a .265 batting average.

Neal, who also played on the bronze-medal-winning team, is tied for second in the league with 25 saves. He is 1-0 with a 1.27 ERA.

Pawtucket had four players named to the post-season team, with outfielder Jeff Bailey named IL MVP and pitcher Charlie Zink voted the pitcher of the year.

Rochester’s Randy Ruiz was the IL rookie of the year, while the manager of the year was Louisville’s Rick Sweet.

Article published Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Mud Hens 'earn' loss to Richmond
By JOHN WAGNER
BLADE SPORTS WRITER

The Mud Hens earned a 3-2 loss to Richmond at Fifth Third Field last night.

And the operative word was earned, because in every phase of the game - defense, offense, pitching and baserunning - Toledo made a misstep that led to the team's third loss in the last four games.

A huge defensive lapse put the Mud Hens behind the eight-ball in the sixth. Hens starter Yorman Bazardo cruised through the first five innings, allowing just two hits and no runners past second, and seemed poised to get out of the sixth despite giving up a two-out single to Scott Thorman.

Bazardo got Barbaro Canizares lift a fly to left that Freddy Guzman should have caught. But Guzman never saw the ball and allowed it to drop for a run-scoring double.

"That's an unbelievable way [to lose]," Parrish said. "[Bazardo] should be out of the inning, but [Guzman] loses the ball in the twilight and we end up giving up three runs."

Bazardo could have finished the inning there, but instead he never could get the final out. The floodgates opened with an RBI single by Jason Phillips, a single by Jason Perry and a walk by Wes Timmons to load the bases in front of another run-scoring hit by Carl Loadenthal that ended Bazardo's night.

"I don't know what happened. I don't know if the air went out of [Bazardo] or what, but he couldn't finish the inning," Parrish said.

Relievers Ian Ostlund and Blaine Neal shut down Richmond the rest of the way, but the Hens offense was unable to take advantage of its scoring opportunities and mount a comeback.

Toledo advanced runners to third in three of the first five innings of R-Braves starter Brian Lawrence, but none of those runners scored before the Hens finally collected a pair of runs in the seventh.

Clete Thomas and Erick Almonte smacked back-to-back doubles to score the first run. Max St-Pierre grounded into a fielder's choice for the second.

In the eighth the Hens loaded the bases thanks to a pair of walks and an infield hit, but St-Pierre took a called third strike to strand the runners.

Toledo had one final chance to tie the game in the ninth when Timo Perez singled with one out and moved to second when R-Braves first baseman Scott Thorman failed to catch a pickoff throw by Jorge Julio.

But Julio struck out Brent Clevlen before the Hens' biggest baserunning gaffe: Perez was picked off second to end the game.

"We left a lot of baserunners out there," Parrish said.

The Hens went 3-for-13 with runners in scoring position.

NOTES: Dontrelle Willis, who left Monday's game with a strained left biceps, is not expected to miss a start after getting rest and treatment for the injury. … Freddy Garcia joined the Hens yesterday and will pitch three innings in a start tomorrow.

Article published Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Amazing experience: Mud Hens Hessman, Neal savored Olympics
By JOHN WAGNER
BLADE SPORTS WRITER

Mike Hessman and Blaine Neal have played in the major leagues. But both Mud Hens still were amazed by their experience in the 2008 Beijing Olympics earlier this month.

"I don't really know where to start to describe it," Hessman said. "To be able to meet athletes like the basketball players, the softball team and the track athletes was special.

"To be able to go out there and hang out [with those athletes] just like the guy on the street was really something special."

Hessman and Neal were members of the U.S. baseball team that earned a bronze medal at the Games, but they agreed that the experience was about more than the contests themselves.

The 12-hour flights to and from China weren't a lot of fun - "We upgraded to business class, so it wasn't too bad," Neal said of the flights - but both said the rest of the experience was unforgettable.

"I was able to go see the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square," Hessman said. "I went by myself, so I didn't have a tour guide or information on what I was seeing, but it was interesting to check out for myself."

Neal said the Olympic Village was impressive.

"It's not really a village, it's more like a city," Neal said "We stayed in a bunch of high-rise buildings that were brand new, and they were nice.

"The cafeteria alone was four or five football fields long and a football field wide. You don't realize how big it is until you go there and are a part of it."

While the focus was on baseball, Hessman said meeting the athletes in other sports was eye-opening.

"It was amazing to see the shape some of these athletes were in. I felt I needed to jump back into the gym," Hessman said. "Just to think about some of these athletes, who put in four years of hard work and dedication just for a few days of competition, was pretty amazing.

"It was really hard to get tickets, especially to some of the bigger events. I was able to get to the Water Cube and see the synchronized diving, and that was a good time."

On the field the U.S. baseball team advanced to the semifinals before losing to Cuba 10-2. Then the U.S. team rebounded with an 8-4 victory over Japan to claim the bronze medal.

"While we didn't get the gold, we did come home with a medal, and that was outstanding," Hessman said. "The teams we lost to [Korea and Cuba] won the gold and silver, so you just have to tip your hat to them."

Hessman hit .091 with one home run in five Olympic games, while Neal had a 7.36 ERA in three appearances. But Neal said the on-the-field experience also was unforgettable.

"Most of us didn't know each other [before the Games]," he said. "But we got along very well, and by the time it was done we all wished we had known one another before.

"When we took that step onto the podium, it didn't matter if we had gold or bronze around our necks, we were smiling from ear to ear."

While both were back in Toledo for just the second day, the pair agreed that their Olympic experience hasn't sunk in fully.

"I think it's one of those things that, as time passes, I'll come to appreciate even more," Neal said. "Looking back, it was more than I ever expected."

Yesterday both Hessman and Neal received another honor as they were selected to the International League's postseason all-star team.

Hessman was chosen as the league's top third baseman, while Neal was selected as the IL's top reliever in a vote of the league's managers, coaches, media and club representatives.

"To still be considered even though I spent three weeks in China for the Olympics is an honor," Hessman said. "I was gone for a while, but to have people still put me on the ballot means something to me. I appreciate the vote."

Neal agreed, adding, "That's also a credit to the rest of the guys in the clubhouse. If not for the way we played early in the year, when they put me in position to put up some numbers and succeed, I wouldn't have the award. I have to share it with them."

Contact John Wagner at:
jwagner@theblade.com
or 419-724-6481.

Article published Thursday, August 28, 2008
Mud Hens find hitting stroke against Columbus
Hessman, Perez spark offensive explosion; Toledo guaranteed of at least .500 finish
By MAUREEN FULTON
BLADE SPORTS WRITER

Last night the Mud Hens discovered something that had been hiding all month - an apparent unending supply of runs.

Toledo went back to the well again and again, scoring in each of the first seven innings to beat Columbus 11-8 at Fifth Third Field.

"We came out swinging the bats tonight," Hens manager Larry Parrish said. "We hadn't hit a homer in a while, and we hit two of them."

The 11 runs were the most Toledo has scored since July 19. The win improves the Hens' record to 72-67 and assures for the fourth straight season that they will finish at least .500.

The teams combined for 28 hits, 10 walks, eight pitchers, and five errors, leading to some lengthy innings. Every player in both lineups made it on base.

Timo Perez had three hits in his first three at-bats and finished a triple short of the cycle with three RBIs.

Michael Hollimon, Wil Rhymes, and Mike Hessman all added two RBIs each. Rhymes was called up to Toledo earlier in the day and was in the starting lineup despite arriving an hour before the game from Erie. He went 2-for-4.

Columbus starter Tyler Clippard took the loss to drop to 6-12. Clippard gave up six earned runs and walked five batters.

"We were patient, we made him throw a lot of pitches," Hessman said. "When we got pitches to hit, we did some damage with them. We were able to get up early, but you had one of those feelings it was going to be a game that went back and forth."

Perez and Hessman hit back-to-back home runs in the fourth to give the Hens a 7-2 lead. Hessman's blast was his 33rd homer of the year, and Perez's was his 13th.

Virgil Vasquez (11-12) got the win despite giving up six earned runs, the most he has allowed in a month. Vasquez pitched five innings and gave up 10 hits, striking out five. It was his fourth straight victory.

"We hurt [Vasquez] defensively," Parrish said. "It doesn't show up in [the box score], but we gave him five runs defensively. Luckily we had enough runs, so we overcame it."

The Clippers threatened in the fifth, scoring two runs and putting two more on base all with two outs. Vasquez got out of the inning with a strikeout.

In the bottom of the inning, the Hens added three more runs helped by three straight singles by the bottom of the order.

In the sixth, two consecutive errors by Erick Almonte at first base led to three runs for Columbus.

Freddy Dolsi relieved Vasquez and minimized the damage, escaping with a three-run lead.

"We were able to get some big pitches when we needed them and got some big outs," Hessman said. "We just had some timely hitting."

NOTES: Before the game, the Tigers recalled infielder Jeff Larish as an insurance policy. To make room for Larish, they optioned right-handed pitcher Chris Lambert's contract to Toledo. Lambert is not expected to pitch for Toledo and will be recalled to Detroit on Sept. 1 when major league rosters expand to 40 players. These moves could save Tigers infielder Carlos Guillen from having to go on the disabled list. Larish started at third last night for Detroit. ... Former major league all-star Freddy Garcia is expected to pitch three innings tonight in his start for the Hens. ... Infielder Max Leon was placed on the disabled list with a left shoulder injury. Rhymes replaced him on the roster.

Contact Maureen Fulton at:
mfulton@theblade.com
or 419-724-6160.

Garcia did well!

3 innings, 2 hits and 4 strike outs, NO RUNS SCORED OFF HIM!

GoGetEmTigers wrote:

Garcia did well!

3 innings, 2 hits and 4 strike outs, NO RUNS SCORED OFF HIM!

He did pretty well. No one in the stadium could understand why they took him out. But Matt Rusch, he is a whole other story. Gave up the only three runs of the game. He almost lost it for us until Ugly Mike, I mean Mike Hessman got a three run homerun that bounced off the scoreboard and out of the park! It was an exciting game to be at!

(oh and the fact that I finally talked to Michael )

Maybe we should bring Neal up and put him as a set up or closer.

I'll be there tonight and post pics!

laprimamirala wrote:

I'll be there tonight and post pics!

Article published Friday, August 29, 2008
Garcia pitches well for Mud Hens in win
Hessman hits 2-out, 3-run homer in eighth to beat Columbus
BLADE STAFF

After Freddy Garcia's outing at Fifth Third Field last night, he said he feels he's ready to pitch in the major leagues again.

Garcia, a right-hander with nine years of major league experience, pitched well for the Mud Hens in his second game since coming back from shoulder surgery he had in 2007.

In the Hens' 4-3 win over Columbus, Garcia pitched three innings, allowing no runs on two hits and striking out four. He threw 32 pitches, 25 for strikes. Garcia was on a workload limit of either three
innings or 50 pitches, whatever came first.

"I pitched in Lakeland, and they wanted me to come here to face more experience," Garcia said. "I proved to them I can pitch right now."

The Tigers signed Garcia earlier this month to see if he could possibly pitch for them in September, with an eye on putting together their 2009 starting rotation.

Tigers manager Jim Leyland, hitting coach Lloyd McClendon, pitching coach Chuck Hernandez and third-base coach Gene Lamont watched Garcia from the Hens' press box.

Garcia's fastball topped out at 88 mph. He threw mostly breaking pitches and changeups to the Clippers and had success fooling them.

"If I get hit, I get hit. But I know I'm throwing it right there [in the strike zone]," Garcia said. "If you throw right there then anything can happen. I know I'm not young anymore, I can't throw by anybody. I can throw the ball and make something happen."

Hens manager Larry Parrish said he was "very satisfied" with Garcia's outing.

"To me, you look at not so much the success, as the swings against him," Parrish said. "There weren't many good swings tonight against him.

"He had good angle to his breaking ball, he was changing planes. I think he's still got a lot of confidence in himself."

Garcia won't pitch for the Hens again because they only have four games left this season and his schedule calls for an outing every five days.

He could be called up to Detroit when rosters expand Monday, go to instructional league in Lakeland, Fla., or ask for his release.

To earn the win, the Hens went ahead in the eighth inning on a two-out, three-run home run from Mike Hessman, his 34th of the year.

Toledo had managed just four hits before the eighth and trailed 3-1 heading into the inning. Hessman has homered in two straight games.

"He knocked the stuff out of that one," Parrish said. "We've been missing that over the last month."

The Hens' other Olympian besides Hessman, Blaine Neal, closed the game to earn his 26th save. Francis Beltran earned the victory in one inning of relief.

The Clippers took the lead in the fourth inning on back-to-back home runs by Alberto Gonzalez and Leonard Davis off Matt Rusch, who relieved Garcia.

Columbus added a run in the fifth on Gonzalez's RBI single.

NOTES: Parrish said pitcher Dontrelle Willis will not make his scheduled start tomorrow for the Hens. The left-hander left his start on Monday after one inning with forearm tightness. He threw a bullpen session yesterday and Parrish said he was feeling better, but won't pitch for the Hens again before their season ends Monday. ... Before the game right-hander Beltran was outrighted to Toledo and right-hander Casey Fien was assigned to Double-A Erie.

- Maureen Fulton

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Article published Saturday, August 30, 2008
Clippers send Hens packing
Fifth Third shuttered after loss
BLADE STAFF

Boxes were scattered about the Mud Hens' clubhouse.

Manager Larry Parrish, meanwhile, was tending to a coffee mug full of pens in his office.

"I don't need that many pens," Parrish said as he stuffed a bunch of them into his briefcase.

This is what happens in the minors when your team is out of playoff contention and your season ends in a road city within driving distance.

You pack up after your last home game and turn out the lights until next year.

The Hens were cramming clothes into duffle bags and throwing away toiletries after their 4-0 loss to the Columbus Clippers last night.

It was indeed the final game at Fifth Third Field this season. The Hens have been mathematically eliminated from winning their fourth consecutive International League West title for some time.

Toledo closes its 2008 campaign with three games in Columbus beginning tonight. But there was no getting around the feeling last night that something had come to an end.

"It's kind of weird because we have a good team," said designated hitter Erick Almonte. "Everything didn't work out the way we thought. We just fell short."

The Hens (73-68) are 13 games behind division-leading Louis-ville and 10 behind Pawtucket for the wild card. On June 27, Toledo was 48-34 and in first place by four games.

Even though the Hens were still winning at that point, the wheels had already been set in motion for their demise. Core players like Jeff Larish, Matt Joyce, Brent Clevlen, Mike Hollimon, and Clete Thomas were bouncing between Toledo and Detroit, and the roster upheaval stalled the team's growth.

When some of those players returned from the Tigers, they stopped hitting. Entering last night's game, Hollimon was hitting .151, Thomas .202, and Clevlen .214 this month.

Entering play last night, the Hens were ranked 11th in the league in pitching and 13th in hitting.

"It's the one thing I feel disappointed about," Parrish said. "Somewhere I didn't do a good job or we as a staff didn't do a good job reaching them. I know we tried. A couple of guys weren't the same when they came back."

Mike Hessman and Blaine Neal left the club for about a month to play for Team USA in the Olympics, returning to the Hens earlier this week.

There were injuries. There were players who simply didn't cut it. In all, Toledo has made 129 roster moves this year - 37 in June and 30 in August.

"Things got crazy around here," Almonte said.

The Hens had five hits and struck out eight times last night against Columbus pitching. Contrarily, Toledo pitchers recorded nine strikeouts, setting a club record with 1,038 punchouts this season.

But in between those whiffs, the Clippers scored single runs in the first, fourth, fifth, and seventh frames, all charged to Hens starter Anastacio Martinez. One came on Kory Casto's fourth-inning homer.

Timo Perez had two of the Hens' five hits. He slipped off second base after doubling in the ninth and was tagged out.

"That's not why we've been losing," Parrish said.

"What's been beating us is what beat us tonight. We're not hitting."

NOTES: Pitcher Dontrelle Willis was back in Detroit yesterday, where manager Jim Leyland said he would be recalled and added to the active roster on Sept. 1.Willis hasn't pitched for the Tigers since June 9, and was optioned to Single-A Lakeland the next day. He made three starts for the Hens after being promoted to Toledo Aug. 13, but was removed from his start Monday night with a sore left arm. … The IL set a single-season record for attendance last night. Through Thursday's games, the league had drawn 6,805,260 fans - about 10,000 shy of its record of 6,815,633 set in 2002. The league is averaging more than 7,220 fans per night in 2008 - an increase of over 3.5 percent from last season. … Speaking of attendance, with last night's sellout crowd of 11,209, the Hens drew 584,596 fans this year - second-most in club history - and set a Fifth Third record with 36 sellouts. Also, the park went over 4 million fans in its seven-year history.

-Joe Vardon

Contact Joe Vardon at:
jvardon@theblade.com
or 419-410-5055.

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