2008 Toledo Mud Hens Season Tracker

oops! guess Jeff didn't have a good night last night!

Hens Win Big Over The Charlotte Knights - Four Home Runs For Toledo

RHP Armando Galarraga
(2-0) handily outdueled the Knights RHP Tomo Ohka (0-1) Wednesday on the way to a 10-3 Mud Hens victory that earned him his second win in as many starts. Galarraga’s quality start gave the Hens a definite edge, but he had plenty of offense to help him along.

In the second inning, 1B Jeff Larish hit his league leading fourth long ball of the season for the first score of the game. 3B Mike Hessman then hit a two-run double to put the Hens in front 3-1 in the third. The Knights answered back as they tied the game in the fourth with a 1B Brad Eldred two-run triple.

The game was close until Armando Galarraga and the offense buckled down
to keep the Knights from making another comeback. Toledo would keep the
lead for good after home runs by CF Ryan Raburn (2), LF Brent Clevlen (1), and SS Erick Almonte (1) combined for six runs for a 10-3 lead. Galarraga finished his night shutting Charlotte down, giving up only three runs through seven innings of work.

News from Mudville:
The Engine: The Mud Hens offense is scoring an average of 7.14 runs per game (50 runs through 7 games), which is leading the I.L.

Hammerin’ Hens: The Hens just keep slugging and added four more team home runs to the 2008 campaign in their win over Charlotte Wednesday. They already have a league leading 12 homers.

The Hess-Side Story: Mud Hens 3B Mike Hessman is approaching yet another Toledo milestone. Last year, after claiming the home run title, Hessman is approaching the modern era RBI record. After collecting 2 RBI in Wednesday’s game, he has 229 career RBI in a Hens uniform, only four short of Scott Ullger’s 233. The runs came from his two out double in the third; the double was also his league leading sixth extra base hit of the season.

Tuesday’s Secret: Knights catcher Paul Phillips became the 26th visiting player in Fifth Third Field history to collect four hits in one game during Toledo’s Tuesday loss.

Wonderful Wathan: Even though Hens SS Derek Wathan did not play during Wednesday’s 10-3 win over Charlotte, he is still tied for the league lead in runs scored (8).

Fun Factoid: The Hens have won each of their first four wins after scoring runs in the first inning. That streak ended after Knights starter Tomo Ohka blanked the Hens in the first. However, with the help of Jeff Larish’s long ball, all of Toledo’s wins in 2008 have come after being the first team to score in the game and are a perfect 5-0 when doing so.

~Philipp Levering, Toledo Mud Hens

it was contagious tonight!

Shorter swing pays for Clevlen in Mud Hens victory

The Detroit Tigers told Brent Clevlen during spring training to shorten his swing.

To adhere to that directive, the Mud Hens left fielder said he dropped his hands slightly in his stance, which he said allows him to more quickly get his bat to the point of contact.

Clevlen's swing to lead off the fourth inning last night was short and sweet, and the result was a long home run in the Hens' 10-3 victory over the Charlotte Knights.

Clevlen's shot, off Charlotte starter Tomo Ohka, was his first of the season and one of four Toledo homers.

But Clevlen's path from Triple-A to the majors doesn't necessarily have to be marked by moon shots like the one he hit over the left-field wall last night. He can punch his ticket more by staying away from the result of his at-bat in the fifth inning, when he struck out.

"He has to be more consistent," said Tigers minor league hitting coordinator Toby Harrah. "He has to hit the fastball, and he has to be a better two-strike hitter. The big thing for him in those situations is to put the ball in play."

Clevlen has struck out at least 110 times every year since 2003, and last year whiffed 120 times in 332 at-bats between Toledo and Detroit.

He spent most of his time with the Hens last year, batting .220 with seven homers, 36 RBIs and 113 strikeouts in 90 games. A broken finger caused him to miss almost two months.

Clevlen said he had a "rough year" last year, which is why he says he's not upset that the Tigers' final roster spot this spring went to Clete Thomas - who had never played above Double-A before - instead of him.

"If I would've had a good year last year, maybe I would be [upset], but instead I just asked what I have to do to be up there," Clevlen said.

With last night's 1-for-4 performance, Clevlen is now batting .346 with six RBIs and seven strikeouts. He's tied with Mike Hessman and Derek Wathan for the team lead with nine hits.

Clevlen, 24, made his major league debut on July 30, 2006, with the Tigers in Minnesota. He doubled in his first at-bat against one of the game's best pitchers - Johan Santana - but he said there was a moment he relished even more from his debut.

Clevlen was playing center field in the first inning when a fly ball came his way with a runner on third base. He said that runner - Luis Castillo - tried to tag up and score, but Clevlen threw him out from center.

"Everything about that first day was pretty special," Clevlen said.

Clevlen is considered by Baseball America to have the best throwing arm in the Tigers' organization, and he said he was clocked throwing 95 mph as a pitcher in high school.

He batted .282 with three homers in 31 games with the Tigers in 2006, and is trying to show that he has learned from the tough times last year brought.

"I had success right off the bat [with Detroit] and I know I have the ability to play there," Clevlen said. "It's just a matter of being more consistent. I wasn't consistent last year."

Clevlen was joined in hitting a homer last night by Ryan Raburn, Jeff Larish and Erick Almonte.

Raburn, who also homered Tuesday night, ripped a three-run shot in the fourth that put the Hens up 8-3 and knocked Ohka [0-1] from the game. Raburn singled and doubled in his first two at-bats.

Larish's solo blast in the second inning was his International League-leading fourth homer, and Almonte's two-run shot in the fifth was his first this season.

The Hens have 12 homers as a team, which is also tops in the IL.

Toledo starting pitcher Armando Galarraga (2-0) allowed three runs on four hits in seven innings.

He retired the last 11 hitters he faced.

that's it! where's the phone! I want MUD HENS TICKETS!!!

I live in Toledo lucky me! They broadcast most of the games here also for the hens.

I have actually spent the night on the field! (I am not fond of morning dew or tents but my kids loved it!)

rickimouse wrote:

I have actually spent the night on the field! (I am not fond of morning dew or tents but my kids loved it!)

That sounds awesome. Some of the MLB teams do that but they charge like $250 a person.

Fifth Third is a great field!

This is the first year I will actually make it to CoPa before I make it to Fifth Third...
I can't wait to get to either one!

Just keep your kids on a tether at CoPa! Those crowds move FAST....

Oh that will be a grown up date!

Got it!

A Tale Of Two Jeremy's - The Best of Times For Toledo: Win 4-1
4/11/08


A Tale Of Two Jeremy's - The Best of Times For Toledo: Win 4-1
Pitching, pitching, pitching. The Mud Hens win after RHP Jeremy Johnson (2-0) gave Toledo another solid outing from the rotation. He pitched five innings and allowed only one uneraned run in his first start of 2008.

After Buffalo took the lead in the bottom of the first, Toledo just waited to take the Bisons by the horns. The Hens really bothered Bisons starter LHP Jeremy Sowers as he gave up three home runs, including one to OF Matt Joyce, who hit his third of the year to even the score 1-1 in the second. 3B Mike Hessman hit his first home run in the fourth and 1B Jeff Larish continues his hot start after he slugged his fifth of the year to help give Toledo a 4-1 edge.

The Toledo pitching staff combined for a two hit effort. LHP Ian Ostlund, RHP Preston Larrison, and closer RHP Blaine Neal, with Johnson, combined for eight strikeouts in the win on Friday. Neal earned his second save of the year.

The win moved the team to 6-2. They are 1-0 on the road this year and have first place to themselves in the I.L. West.

Still Hammerin': The Mud Hens added three more team home runs in their 4-1 win over the Buffalo Bisons Friday night. They have a total of 15 home runs, which leads the I.L.

On The Mike: It sounds like 3B Mike Hessman is closer to the Toledo modern era record for RBI in a Hens uniform. Hessman hit his first home run of the year, further extending his milestone set last year, while also earning him yet another RBI. He has 230 RBI, now only three short of Scott Ullger's 233.

Encouraging Stat: The Hens won their first game of the season after not scoring first in the game. The Bisons scored in the first inning before Toledo struck back in the second.

Crazy Good...: All of the Toledo starting position players in Friday's game collected at least one hit. The team collected a total of ten during the win.

...On The Flip Side: Hens pitching did not allow an extra base hit during Friday's win while limiting the Bisons to only two hits.

~Philipp Levering, Toledo Mud Hens

Hessman looks mighty chilled!

Tables Turn - Mud Hens Lose To Bisons 3-0
04/12/08

One game after Toledo pitching pieced together a spectacle of a game with a two hit effort against Buffalo Friday night, the Bisons returned the favor. Starting RHP Brian Slocum (1-0) dazzled the Hens by not allowing a hit through five innings of work. The Buffalo bullpen kept the shutout together and allowed only three hits.

Hens starter RHP Chris Lambert (0-1) started his second game of the season and allowed 3 runs (2 earned) in five innings during the loss. Bisons LF Andy Gonzalez scored in the second after reaching base on a throwing error by Hens SS Derek Wathan. In the fourth inning with the score 1-0, Gonzalez stroked his second home run of the season to make it 2-0. Toledo's bullpen kept the Bisons off of the board for the remainder of the game, but the offense was unable to ignite a comeback.

Bisons closer RHP Rick Bauer shut the door and earned the save in the ninth (2) to preserve the Bisons shutout.

News:

Hessman Watch: Since the Hens were shutout Saturday, 3B Mike Hessman was held to 230 career RBI in a Toledo uniform. He remains three short of Scott Ullger's modern era record of 233.

Iced...: The Hens were shutout for the first time this season. It was the first time since September 1, 2007 when they lost to Columbus 3-0.

...Rarely: Toledo was only shutout 7 times in 2007. They still lead the I.L. in home runs (15) and runs scored (54) in 2008.

The Fossum Flip: LHP Casey Fossum made his Mud Hens debut Saturday versus Buffalo, pitching two scoreless innings. He is known for the "Fossum Flip" - a mid-50s, "hard" breaking curveball. He had it working as he did not allow a hit and struck out two batters.

~Philipp Levering, Toledo Mud Hens

go Fossum!

Call up the Hens! Send down the Tigers

let's do a quick team switch! Nobody'll notice!

until we start rackin' up the wins!

I told them to divert the plane to Toledo instead of Detroit when the roadtrip is over

that'll work! Then I can go over and bug 'em because Toledo is lots closer to me than Detroit!

You guys are waaaaayyyyyy too funny!

My son wants to know if the Tiger wives can play?????

sure! they can probably do a better job!

Are you kidding me? The Whitecaps could beat the crap out of the Tigers this year standing on their heads. I say bring ALL of Toledo to Detroit.

And their wives too!!

And that goes for a manager exchange too!

i think we seriously should bring em all up for one game, see how they do, and then we go from there

Buffalo hosted Toledo at Dunn Tire Park in the third game of a four game series Sunday afternoon. The Mud Hens won the game 6-4 and once again, they did it with solid pitching, crafty defense, and of course, the aid of the long ball.

Starter RHP Eddie Bonine (2-0) pitched in his second game of the season and was "quality" (6 IP/2 ER/4 K), but it was the defense that helped him by flashing the leather early in the game. In the second inning after a one-out walk to 2B Andy Gonzalez issued by Bonine, LF Jackson Melian made a tremendous hustle play when snagging a deep fly ball on a dive attempt. Melian gunned to cutoff man SS Derek Wathan, who threw to first and got Gonzalez for a double play. Wathan also made a diving stop in the third on a ground ball from Bisons C Wyatt Toregas to preserve a 2-0 Toledo lead.

Hens CF Brent Clevlen slugged his second home run of the year in the fourth and RF Matt Joyce hit his fourth homer in the sixth to push the score to 6-2. Both bombs came off of Bisons losing starter - and former Mud Hen - RHP Matt Ginter (0-1).

Buffalo posed a threat when scoring two runs in the seventh, but closer RHP Blaine Neal (3) stepped on the mound in the ninth to earn the save.


What's New?:

Ch-Ch-Changes... In Places: The I.L. West is under construction. After Toledo held first place for the first eight games of the season, division foes Indianapolis and Louisville took over the top spot after the Hens lost to Buffalo on Saturday afternoon. Toledo's Sunday victory now puts the Hens tied for second by a half game in the I.L. West.

Another Debut: RHP Matt Rusch made his Mud Hens debut Sunday giving up two earned runs (0.2 IP). He was 6-1 with a 3.40 ERA with Double-A Erie in 2007.

Hess-Watch: 3B Mike Hessman was held to no RBI Sunday versus Buffalo keeping his total at 230, three short of Scott Ullger's 233 career in a Toledo uniform - modern era record.

Going... Going... Gone!: Mud Hens fans have heard that phrase quite a bit this year. Toledo slugged two more home runs in Sunday's win over Buffalo; their league leading total now stands at 17 on the year.

Re-Joyce!: Outfielder Matt Joyce's two-run home run gives him a league leading 12 RBI.

Eddie's Streak: Sunday's starter Eddie Bonine has made three career starts for Toledo and is 3-0.

~Philipp Levering, Toledo Mud Hens