2010 Toledo Mud Hens Schedule and Results

Toledo Mud Hens


MUD HEN NEWS LINK


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SCHEDULE

April (all times local unless noted)

8 vs. Louisville, L 3-5 (LP: R. Lugo)
9 vs. Louisville, W 7-4 (WP: S. Drucker; SV: J. Sborz)
10 vs. Louisville, L 1-7 (LP: A. Galarraga)
11 vs. Louisville, L 1-2 (LP: E. Gonzalez)
12 vs. Indianapolis, W 6-3 (WP: A. Figaro; SV: J. Sborz)
13 vs. Indianapolis, W 6-0 (WP: R. Lugo)
14 @ Columbus, L 2-3 (LP: D. Schlereth)
15 @ Columbus, W 6-3 (WP: A. Galarraga; SV: J. Sborz)
16 @ Indianapolis, W 7-4 (WP: S. Drucker; SV: C. Fien)
17 @ Indianapolis, W 3-2 (WP: A. Figaro; SV: J. Sborz)
18 @ Indianapolis, L 6-9 (LP: R. Lugo)
19 @ Indianapolis, W 10-1 (WP: P. Dumatrait; SV: S. Drucker)
20 @ Louisville, W 4-1 (WP: A. Galarraga; SV: J. Sborz)
21 @ Louisville, L 1-3 (LP: E. Gonzalez)
22 vs. Columbus, W 6-4 (WP: J. Rainwater; SV: J. Sborz)
23 vs. Columbus, L 2-6 (LP: S. Drucker)
24 vs. Columbus, L 1-7 (LP: P. Dumatrait)
25 @ Columbus, W 3-2 (WP: A. Galarraga; SV: J. Sborz)
26 @ Columbus, W 10-1 (WP: E. Gonzalez)
27 vs. Syracuse, W 7-0 (WP: A. Figaro)
28 vs. Syracuse, L 3-5 (LP: J. Rainwater)
29 vs. Syracuse, W 3-2 (WP: J. Sborz)
30 vs. Syracuse, L 1-2 (LP: A. Galarraga)

May (all times local unless noted)

1 vs. Charlotte, L 5-7 (LP: E. Gonzalez)
2 vs. Charlotte, L 0-4 (LP: A. Figaro)
3 vs. Charlotte, W 8-3 (WP: D. Schlereth) (Completion on 5/4/10 at 5:30 PM)
4 vs. Charlotte, W 8-3 (WP: D. Schlereth) (Completion of game suspended on 5/3/10)
4 vs. Charlotte, W 3-1 (WP: P. Dumatrait; LP: F. Dolsi; SV: J. Sborz)
5 OFF
6 @ Norfolk, L 7-12 (LP: J. Waddell)
7 @ Norfolk, L 2-3 (LP: J. Sborz)
8 @ Norfolk, W 10-3 (WP: A. Figaro)
9 @ Norfolk, L 1-4 (LP: R. Ketchner)
10 @ Durham, W 6-2 (WP: P. Dumatrait)
11 @ Durham, W 5-4 (WP: A. Galarraga; SV: J. Sborz)
12 @ Durham, L 2-5 (LP: E. Gonzalez)
13 @ Durham, L 1-6 (LP: L. Gagnier)
14 vs. Indianapolis, L 1-8 (LP: R. Ketchner)
15 vs. Indianapolis, W 7-3 (WP: P. Dumatrait)
16 vs. Indianapolis, W 6-5 (WP: R. Weinhardt)
17 vs. Indianapolis, W 3-0 (WP: E. Gonzalez)
18 vs. Durham, W 5-3 (WP: L. Gagnier)
19 vs. Durham, W 5-2 (WP: R. Ketchner; SV: C. Fien)
20 vs. Durham, W 4-0 (WP: M. Scherzer)
21 vs. Durham, Cancelled: Rain
22 @ Syracuse, L 2-3 (LP: S. Drucker)
23 @ Syracuse, W 8-5 (WP: E. Gonzalez)
24 @ Syracuse, L 3-6 (LP: L. Gagnier)
25 @ Syracuse, W 6-3 (WP: M. Scherzer)
26 OFF
27 @ Buffalo, L 7-8 (LP: J. Rainwater)
28 @ Buffalo, L 3-7 (LP: A. Figaro)
29 @ Buffalo, W 5-4 (WP: E. Gonzalez; SV: J. Sborz)
30 @ Buffalo, W 8-7 (WP: B. Wise; SV: C. Fien)
31 vs. Lehigh Valley, Postponed: Rain

June (all times local unless noted)

1 vs. Lehigh Valley, W 5-3 (WP: C. Fien)
1 vs. Lehigh Valley, W 3-0 (WP: L. Gagnier; SV: J. Sborz)
2 vs. Lehigh Valley, L 6-11 (LP: A. Figaro)
3 vs. Lehigh Valley, L 1-3 (LP: E. Gonzalez)
4 @ Rochester, W 5-4 (WP: R. Ketchner; SV: J. Sborz)
5 @ Rochester, L 4-8 (LP: B. Buckner)
6 @ Rochester, Postponed: Rain
7 @ Rochester, L 3-15 (LP: R. Lugo)
7 @ Rochester, W 6-2 (WP: L. Gagnier)
8 @ Lehigh Valley, L 0-3 (LP: A. Figaros)
9 @ Lehigh Valley, Postponed
10 @ Lehigh Valley, W 4-3 (WP: R. Ketchner; SV: J. Sborz)
10 @ Lehigh Valley, W 2-1 (WP: B. Buckner)
11 @ Lehigh Valley, W 8-4 (WP: B. Wise)
12 vs. Rochester, L 6-10 (LP: J. Rainwater)
13 vs. Rochester, W 8-3 (WP: A. Figaro)
14 vs. Rochester, W 7-5 (WP: B. Wise; SV: J. Sborz)
15 vs. Rochester, L 6-12 (LP: B. Buckner)
16 OFF
17 vs. Norfolk, L 3-6 (LP: D. Schlereth)
18 vs. Norfolk, W 6-4 (WP: R. Lugo; SV: J. Sborz)
19 vs. Norfolk, L 3-10 (LP: L. Gagnier)
20 vs. Norfolk, W 5-1 (WP: A. Figaro)
21 @ Louisville, W 6-0 (WP: B. Buckner)
22 @ Louisville, L 2-3 (LP: B. Wise)
23 @ Louisville, L 4-7 (LP: R. Lugo)
24 @ Louisville, W 6-1 (WP: R. Porcello)
25 @ Indianapolis, L 8-9 (LP: S. Drucker)
26 @ Indianapolis, L 4-6 (LP: A. Figaro)
27 @ Indianapolis, L 3-15 (LP: B. Buckner)
28 @ Indianapolis, L 5-6 (LP: J. Sborz)
29 vs. Gwinnett, L 3-7 (LP: R. Porcello)
30 vs. Gwinnett, L 4-7 (LP: B. Wise)

Toledo Mud Hens


MUD HEN NEWS LINK

WINS - 70, LOSES - 73


CLICK HERE FOR SCHEDULE AND SCORES

CLICK SCORE FOR BOX SCORE

SCHEDULE

July (all times local unless noted)

1 vs. Gwinnett, L 2-4 (LP: A. Figaro) Recap
2 vs. Gwinnett, L 3-6 (LP: B. Buckner) Recap
3 vs. Columbus, L 1-7 (LP: R. Ketchner) Recap
4 vs. Columbus, L 0-6 (LP: R. Porcello) Recap
5 vs. Columbus, L 4-5 (LP: J. Sborz) Recap
6 @ Columbus, W 9-4 (WP: A. Figaro) Recap
7 @ Columbus, W 6-4 (WP: B. Buckner; SV: C. Fien) Recap
8 @ Louisville, W 9-4 (WP: J. Rainwater) Recap
9 @ Louisville, L 0-3 (LP: S. Drucker) Recap
10 vs. Indianapolis, L 1-3 (LP: J. Sborz) Recap
11 vs. Indianapolis, L 4-6 (LP: G. De La Vara) Recap
12 OFF
13 OFF
14 OFF
15 @ Scranton/WB, L 5-12 (LP: B. Buckner) Recap
16 @ Scranton/WB, L 4-5 (LP: C. Fien) Recap
17 @ Scranton/WB, W 11-7 (WP: B. Wise) Recap
18 @ Scranton/WB, L 2-3 (LP: L. Gagnier) Recap
19 @ Pawtucket, W 4-1 (WP: A. Figaro; SV: B. Wise) Recap
20 @ Pawtucket, W 7-1 (WP: G. De La Vara) Recap
21 @ Pawtucket, W 11-2 (WP: S. Drucker; SV: R. Ketchner) Recap
22 @ Pawtucket, L 4-5 (LP: D. Schlereth) Recap
23 vs. Buffalo, (Completion on 7/24/10 at 6:00 PM)
24 vs. Buffalo, W 12-6 (WP: G. De La Vara) Recap
(Completion of game suspended on 7/23/10)
24 vs. Buffalo, W 5-4 (WP: L. Gagnier; SV: J. Sborz) Recap
25 vs. Buffalo, W 2-0 (WP: A. Figaro) Recap
26 vs. Buffalo, W 5-1 (WP: S. Drucker) Recap
27 vs. Pawtucket, L 6-10 (LP: C. Furbush) Recap
28 vs. Pawtucket, W 8-5 (WP: A. Oliver; SV: J. Sborz) Recap
29 vs. Pawtucket, L 0-7 (LP: L. Gagnier) Recap
30 vs. Pawtucket, L 4-7 (LP: J. Sborz) Recap
31 @ Gwinnett, L 6-9 (LP: S. Drucker) Recap

August (all times local unless noted)

1 @ Gwinnett, W 9-3 (WP: C. Furbush; SV: C. Fien)
2 @ Gwinnett, L 4-6 (LP: A. Oliver)
3 @ Gwinnett, W 2-1 (WP: L. Gagnier)
4 OFF
5 @ Charlotte, L 4-5
(Completion on 8/6/10 at 5:00 PM)
6 @ Charlotte, L 4-5 (LP: C. Fien)
(Completion of game suspended on 8/5/10)
6 @ Charlotte, L 1-6 (LP: G. De La Vara)
7 @ Charlotte, W 9-2 (WP: C. Furbush)
8 @ Charlotte, L 2-3 (LP: A. Oliver)
9 vs. Louisville, L 5-6 (LP: J. Rainwater)
10 vs. Louisville, L 7-8 (LP: J. Sborz)
11 vs. Louisville, L 3-4 (LP: C. Fien)
12 vs. Louisville, L 4-10 (LP: C. Furbush)
13 vs. Scranton/WB, L 2-3 (LP: A. Oliver)
14 vs. Scranton/WB, L 3-7 (LP: L. Gagnier)
15 vs. Scranton/WB, W 7-4 (WP: A. Figaro)
16 vs. Scranton/WB, L 4-7 (LP: R. Ketchner)
17 OFF
18 vs. Indianapolis, L 1-4 (LP: C. Furbush)
19 vs. Indianapolis, W 3-2 (WP: C. Fien)
20 vs. Indianapolis, L 0-1 (LP: L. Gagnier)
21 @ Columbus, W 8-4 (WP: R. Garcia; SV: Z. Simmons)
22 @ Columbus, W 4-2 (WP: R. Ketchner; SV: J. Rainwater)
23 @ Columbus, L 3-4 (LP: R. Weinhardt)
24 vs. Columbus, W 7-3 (WP: A. Oliver; SV: C. Fien)
25 vs. Columbus, W 5-4 f/12 innings (WP: C. Fien)
26 @ Indianapolis, L 1-2 (LP: T. Weber)
27 @ Indianapolis, W 8-2 (WP: R. Ketchner)
28 @ Louisville, W 8-3 (WP: C. Furbush)
29 @ Louisville, L 0-8 (LP: A. Oliver)
30 @ Louisville, W 6-2 (WP: L. Gagnier)
31 vs. Louisville, W 4-1 (WP: T. Weber; SV: R. Weinhardt)

September (all times local unless noted)

1 vs. Louisville, L 3-8 (LP: R. Ketchner)
2 @ Columbus, L 0-8 (LP: C. Furbush)
3 @ Columbus, W 5-3 (WP: A. Oliver; SV: C. Fien)
4 vs. Columbus, W 6-4 (WP: L. Gagnier; SV: C. Fien)
5 vs. Columbus, W 9-1 (WP: T. Weber)
6 vs. Columbus, W 5-2 (WP: R. Ketchner; SV: B. Wise)

Article published April 09, 2010
Hens score 4 runs in 4th to edge Bats

By STEVE JUNGA
BLADE SPORTS WRITER

Baseball experts will tell you the numbers in the game usually do not lie.

Friday night's 7-4 win by the Mud Hens over Louisville at Fifth Third Field was a good example to the contrary.

Through four innings, Bats starting pitcher Travis Wood had struck out nine, walked one, and allowed no earned runs. Meanwhile, his Hens counterpart, fellow lefty Phil Dumatrait, had issued five walks with no strikeouts.

The net result of this divergent mound work?

Toledo owned a 5-3 lead.

Go figure.

The Mud Hens (1-1) rallied to that fortuitous lead with four unearned runs in the fourth inning.

Jeff Frazier reached on a one-out error, Will Rhymes and Robinzon Diaz each singled to load the bases and, after Wood fanned Danny Worth, Clete Thomas pulled a sharp two-run single to right and Brent Dlugach followed with a two-run triple to the gap in right-center.

Article published May 14, 2010
Hens flop before record crowd
By JOHN WAGNER
Blade Sports Writer

Simon Cowell would have had a snappy insult ready for the Mud Hens’ performance in last night’s 8-1 loss to Indianapolis at Fifth Third Field.

Perhaps the American Idol judge would have said, “You called yourself champagne, but you played like house wine.”

The appearance by Crystal Bowersox, the Elliston, Ohio, native who is one of three finalists on Idol, before yesterday’s game helped produce a crowd of 13,200, a Fifth Third Field record.

But that crowd saw little from the Mud Hens, who struggled in all facets of the game to lose for the third straight night.

“I think Simon would have banged this game,” Toledo manager Larry Parrish admitted.

Hopefully the addition of Ryan Raburn will help an offense that has struggled recently. Raburn was sent down by the Tigers Wednesday when Detroit called up RHP Alfredo Figaro.

“They told me they needed an extra pitcher, and I had an option,” Raburn said. An “option” gives a major league team the chance to send a player to the minors without having that player go through waivers.

“I’m using this as a chance to get some at-bats and have some fun,” Raburn said. “Hopefully it won’t be too long before I get called up to the big leagues.”

Raburn hit 16 home runs for Detroit last season, but he has struggled in the early part of this year, batting .213 without a homer in 17 games with the Tigers.

“I wasn’t doing great, but I also had a couple of hits taken away by the rainout,” Raburn said. “I should be swinging the bat a lot better, but everybody goes through those spurts.

“I hope I can get some at-bats, get into a groove, and get back up to Detroit to help them.”

Raburn is expected to help a Toledo offense that has struggled recently, batting just .239 in May and scoring just 50 runs in its first 12 games.

Among the Hens who are struggling at the plate are catcher Robinzon Diaz, who came into last night’s game hitless in his last 14 at-bats; infielder Will Rhymes, who was 1-for-15 before last night; and outfielder Deik Scram, who was 0-for-18.

“Raburn has hit in the big leagues. I know he’ll need a few days to get his swing back, but he’s a proven hitter who should help us out,” Parrish said.

Toledo needed offensive help last night as it managed just seven hits and a single run, which came in the seventh when Brent Dlugach singled, then raced home on Scram’s double.

Parish gave some of the credit for the Mud Hens’ offensive struggles to Indianapolis starter Mike Crotta, who allowed just seven hits and one run while fanning five in seven innings to earn the win.

“He threw strikes and had good movement on the ball,” Parrish said. “It looked like he had a plan, and he had us hitting the ball on the ground.”

Of the 21 outs Crotta got, 12 came on ground balls.

But the Indians didn’t have many problems with offense, using home runs to build an early advantage.

Indianapolis scored twice in the fourth inning when Neil Walker led off by drawing a walk from Hens starter Ryan Ketchner and scoring on a long home run to center by Pedro Alvarez, the ninth homer of the year for one of the Pirates’ top prospects.

In the fifth the Tribe’s Brian Friday slammed a 3-1 pitch from Ketchner off the scoreboard in left for his first home run this season.

A walk, a wild pitch and a single by Brandon Jones produced a run in the sixth, and Indianapolis broke the game open with three runs in the seventh off reliever Scot Drucker.

While the Tribe did have four hits in the inning, the Hens contributed to the rally with a wild pitch, a passed ball and a throwing error.

“It got a little ugly there at the end,” Parrish said. “We were bouncing balls, not blocking balls, didn’t stop an errant throw — it got to be ugly.”

Walker closed the scoring with a ninth-inning home run off Casey Fien, Walker’s sixth homer of the year.

NOTES: Detroit manager Jim Leyland said RHP Armando Galarraga would be called up to Detroit to start tomorrow’s game against the Red Sox. While Parrish would not announce a replacement for Galarraga, who was expected to start for the Hens tomorrow, the logical replacement is Alfredo Figaro, who was optioned to the Hens. … OF Casper Wells was promoted to Detroit yesterday, but he is expected to return to Toledo when Galarraga is called up. … The start of yesterday’s game, which was pushed back a half hour to accommodate Bowersox’s busy schedule, still started 16 minutes late.

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

Article published May 15, 2010
Mud Hens flop before record crowd
By JOHN WAGNER
BLADE SPORTS WRITER

Simon Cowell would have had a snappy insult ready for the Mud Hens' performance in Friday night's 8-1 loss to Indianapolis at Fifth Third Field.

Perhaps the American Idol judge would have said, "You called yourself champagne, but you played like house wine."

The appearance by Crystal Bowersox, the Elliston, Ohio, native who is one of three finalists on Idol, before yesterday's game helped produce a crowd of 13,200, a Fifth Third Field record.

But that crowd saw little from the Mud Hens, who struggled in all facets of the game to lose for the third straight night.

"I think Simon would have banged this game," Toledo manager Larry Parrish admitted.

Hopefully the addition of Ryan Raburn will help an offense that has struggled recently. Raburn was sent down by the Tigers Wednesday when Detroit called up RHP Alfredo Figaro.

"They told me they needed an extra pitcher, and I had an option," Raburn said. An "option" gives a major league team the chance to send a player to the minors without having that player go through waivers.

"I'm using this as a chance to get some at-bats and have some fun," Raburn said. "Hopefully it won't be too long before I get called up to the big leagues."

Raburn hit 16 home runs for Detroit last season, but he has struggled in the early part of this year, batting .213 without a homer in 17 games with the Tigers.

"I wasn't doing great, but I also had a couple of hits taken away by the rainout," Raburn said. "I should be swinging the bat a lot better, but everybody goes through those spurts.

"I hope I can get some at-bats, get into a groove, and get back up to Detroit to help them."

Raburn is expected to help a Toledo offense that has struggled recently, batting just .239 in May and scoring just 50 runs in its first 12 games.

Among the Hens who are struggling at the plate are catcher Robinzon Diaz, who came into last night's game hitless in his last 14 at-bats; infielder Will Rhymes, who was 1-for-15 before last night; and outfielder Deik Scram, who was 0-for-18.

"Raburn has hit in the big leagues. I know he'll need a few days to get his swing back, but he's a proven hitter who should help us out," Parrish said.

Toledo needed offensive help last night as it managed just seven hits and a single run, which came in the seventh when Brent Dlugach singled, then raced home on Scram's double.

Parish gave some of the credit for the Mud Hens' offensive struggles to Indianapolis starter Mike Crotta, who allowed just seven hits and one run while fanning five in seven innings to earn the win.

"He threw strikes and had good movement on the ball," Parrish said. "It looked like he had a plan, and he had us hitting the ball on the ground."

Of the 21 outs Crotta got, 12 came on ground balls.

But the Indians didn't have many problems with offense, using home runs to build an early advantage.

Indianapolis scored twice in the fourth inning when Neil Walker led off by drawing a walk from Hens starter Ryan Ketchner and scoring on a long home run to center by Pedro Alvarez, the ninth homer of the year for one of the Pirates' top prospects.

In the fifth the Tribe's Brian Friday slammed a 3-1 pitch from Ketchner off the scoreboard in left for his first home run this season.

A walk, a wild pitch and a single by Brandon Jones produced a run in the sixth, and Indianapolis broke the game open with three runs in the seventh off reliever Scot Drucker.

While the Tribe did have four hits in the inning, the Hens contributed to the rally with a wild pitch, a passed ball and a throwing error.

"It got a little ugly there at the end," Parrish said. "We were bouncing balls, not blocking balls, didn't stop an errant throw - it got to be ugly."

Walker closed the scoring with a ninth-inning home run off Casey Fien, Walker's sixth homer of the year.

NOTES: Detroit manager Jim Leyland said RHP Armando Galarraga would be called up to Detroit to start tomorrow's game against the Red Sox. While Parrish would not announce a replacement for Galarraga, who was expected to start for the Hens tomorrow, the logical replacement is Alfredo Figaro, who was optioned to the Hens. … OF Casper Wells was promoted to Detroit yesterday, but he is expected to return to Toledo when Galarraga is called up. … The start of yesterday's game, which was pushed back a half hour to accommodate Bowersox's busy schedule, still started 16 minutes late.

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

Article published May 15, 2010
Mud Hens top Indianapolis
Clay product pitches 2 scoreless innings for Indians
By JOHN WAGNER
Blade Sports Writer

Justin Thomas saw the signs welcoming "American Idol" star Crystal Bowersox to Fifth Third Field Friday.

Who could have blamed him if he wondered where were the signs welcoming the Clay High School product back to Toledo for the first time in his professional career?

“The people who are closest to me know I’ll be here and will be rooting for me,” Thomas said. “I’m not as big of a deal as she is.

“I’ll be able to see all the people I care about, and that’s good enough for me.”

Thomas threw a pair of scoreless innings for Indianapolis in last night’s game, which the Mud Hens won 7-3. The 6-3, 220-pound left-hander struck out four of the six batters he faced, including Ryan Raburn, Jeff Larish, and Jeff Frazier – the middle of the Toledo batting order – in the seventh.

“He’s a big, strong kid who threw well,” Mud Hens manager Larry Parrish said of Thomas. “It was our first time to see him, but he sure looked good.”

Thomas said he was looking forward to pitching close to home after spending the first five years of his pro career with Seattle. Thomas, a fourth-round pick of the Mariners in 2005, had not pitched near Toledo since spending time with Wisconsin in the Midwest League at the start of 2006.

Thomas was claimed off waivers by the Pirates this past off season.

By the time Thomas entered last night’s game, the Mud Hens already had built a huge lead.

Toledo scored three times in the first inning thanks to RBI doubles by Raburn and Larish as well as a run-scoring single by Max Leon.

Ben Guez led off the second inning with his first Triple-A home run, a shot high off the scoreboard in left, and Raburn doubled home Brent Dlugach for a second run that inning.

The Hens then got back-to-back doubles from Raburn and Larish, then a two-out single by Max St-Pierre for a pair of runs in the fifth. Raburn tied a Fifth Third Field record with his three doubles on the night.

Article published May 16, 2010
Good outing for Clay grad
Thomas returns home, but Hens get easy victory
By JOHN WAGNER
BLADE SPORTS WRITER

Justin Thomas saw the signs welcoming American Idol star Crystal Bowersox to Fifth Third Field Friday.

Who could have blamed him if he wondered where the signs were welcoming the Clay High School product back to Toledo for the first time in his professional career?

"The people who are closest to me know I'll be here and will be rooting for me," Thomas said. "I'm not as big of a deal as she is.

"I'll be able to see all the people I care about, and that's good enough for me."

Thomas threw a pair of scoreless innings for Indianapolis in last night's game, which the Mud Hens won 7-3. The 6-3, 220-pound left-hander struck out four of the six batters he faced, including Ryan Raburn, Jeff Larish, and Jeff Frazier - the middle of the Toledo batting order - in the seventh.

"He's a big, strong kid who threw well," Mud Hens manager Larry Parrish said. "It was our first time to see him, but he sure looked good."

Thomas said he was looking forward to pitching close to home after spending the first five years of his pro career with Seattle. Thomas, a fourth-round pick of the Mariners in 2005, had not pitched near Toledo since spending time with Wisconsin in the Midwest League at the start of 2006.

Thomas was claimed off waivers by the Pirates this past offseason.

"When I came over to the Pirates, I knew they are in the International League - and there are a lot of places closer to home," Thomas said. "I had played most of my career [in leagues] on the West Coast, so I haven't played [close to home].

"It's nice to be playing on this side of the country so my family can see me play."

In nine appearances with the Indians this season Thomas is 2-0 with a save and a 1.65 ERA. He has struck out 17 while allowing just eight hits and two walks in 161/3 innings.

"I started the season on the disabled list, but since then I've thrown the ball pretty well," said Thomas, who features a fastball that sits in the high 80s as well as a change-up and slider.

By the time Thomas entered last night's game, the Mud Hens already had built a huge lead.

Toledo scored three times in the first inning thanks to RBI doubles by Raburn and Larish as well as a run-scoring single by Max Leon.

Ben Guez led off the second inning with his first Triple-A home run, a shot high off the scoreboard in left, and Raburn doubled home Brent Dlugach for a second run that inning.

The Hens then got back-to-back doubles from Raburn and Larish, then a two-out single by Max
St-Pierre for a pair of runs in the fifth. Raburn tied a Fifth Third Field record with his three doubles on the night.

"There's no doubt having Ryan Raburn was a pick-me-up for our offense," Parrish said. "He was a part of all of our rallies."

That was more than enough offense for Toledo starter Phil Dumatrait, who limited his former team - he pitched in four games for the Tribe last year - to one hit and an unearned run before tiring in the seventh.

Daniel Schlereth pitched two scoreless innings in relief of Dumatrait, and Jay Sborz retired Indianapolis without incident in the ninth to close out the win.

"Dumatrait pitched well - but all of our pitchers threw well," Parrish said.

NOTE: IF Danny Worth was in the original starting lineup but was scratched just before gametime. After the game Worth learned he was being promoted to Detroit.

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

Article published May 16, 2010
Hens' roster changes challenging
By JOHN WAGNER
BLADE SPORTS WRITER

This season began quietly for the Mud Hens - at least in terms of player movement - as it took more than a week before Toledo lost a player to injury.

But now, the player moves are coming fast and furious, forcing Mud Hens manager Larry Parrish and his coaching staff to adjust to the moves.

For example, in the just-completed eight-day road trip Toledo made five roster changes. LHP Jason Waddell was suspended, then released, while RHP Alfredo Figaro was promoted to Detroit. C Max St-Pierre and RHP L.J. Gagnier were called up from Double-A Erie, and C Angel Flores was sent to Single-A Lakeland.

When the team returned to Fifth Third Field on Friday, the carousel continued to spin as OF Ryan Raburn was added to the Hens roster, and OF Casper Wells was promoted to Detroit.

Parrish said the lack of player movement early in the season was unusual, and the recent player swaps are more common.

"Our job is to have guys ready to help the major league club out," Parrish said. "There are times when we are going to be scrambling as a result.

"But every Triple-A club is like that. Last year, when we played Norfolk early in the year, they were a pretty good club. When we played them late in the year, they weren't the same club."

Parrish the competitor still wants to win every game he manages. But Parrish the veteran of nearly 40 years of pro baseball, understands the priority is success in Detroit, not Toledo.

"You can win at every level in the minor leagues, but if the big-league club is 50 games out, heads are going to roll," Parrish said. "But the reverse is true, too. All of the minor-league teams can finish near the bottom, but if the parent club has a good year, then everybody has a good year."

Does it bother Parrish that sometimes he goes into games knowing his chances of winning are diminished?

"I think I would struggle more if [something happened that] kept a player from having an opportunity to play in the big leagues," Parrish said. "I know [player movement] comes with the territory here."

HIT BULL, LOSE STEAK: Durham's home field is well known for its bull located above the left-field fence. That bull sign says simply, "Hit bull, win steak."

Well, the Mud Hens hit a bull on Tuesday - and unfortunately, it cost them a steak.

This story began on Monday, when the Hens were expecting a bus ride to Durham Athletic Park. The bus was nearly a half-hour late, and the Durham front office offered the Hens a steak dinner Wednesday in apology.

But early in that Wednesday contest the Mud Hens ambushed Durham mascot Wool E. Bull, peppering him with water balloons as he came onto the field. The fun turned serious when the mascot slipped on the wet field and suffered an injury.

Because of the injury, the steaks that were meant for the Hens went instead to the Bulls.

INJURY REPORT: OF Ryan Strieby, who was put on the disabled list April 22 with a sore left wrist, is close to returning to the lineup. Strieby took batting practice before yesterday's game and also made some throws from the outfield with no ill effects.

RHP Ruddy Lugo also is getting closer to returning to the roster. Lugo, who was struck on the head by a line drive April 23 and placed on the DL the next day, has been cleared to begin pitching.

Lugo will throw batting practice before Tuesday's game and probably will throw another session at the end of the homestand.The prognosis wasn't as good for OF Clete Thomas, who hasn't played since May 11 because of knee problems. A date for his return hasn't been determined.

CRYSTAL CLEAR: The appearance by Crystal Bowersox at Friday's game resulted in a record - and just missed setting another.

The crowd of 13,200 marked the largest crowd in Fifth Third Field history, surpassing the crowd of 13,100 that came on opening day of 2009.

But that attendance total is not a Mud Hens' franchise record. On July 14, 1966, the Mud Hens hosted 13,695 fans at the Lucas County Recreation Center (later renamed Skeldon Stadium).

Article published May 17, 2010
Spirit of Hens: Gilhooley more than deserving of IL award
DAVE HACKENBERG
COMMENTARY

Frank Gilhooley would judge his "day" as perfect. It didn't rain and the Mud Hens rallied to win 6-5 in the bottom of the ninth. Gilhooley hated rain delays. Listeners loved them because Frank would tell stories. And nobody had more stories or told them better.

Sunday's only imperfection was that the Hens couldn't convince Frank to do an inning or two of play-by-play. Instead of watching the game from the radio booth in the press box, where he brought so much professionalism and became Our Town's living sports media legend, Gilhooley and his party watched from a private suite.

Frank broadcast his first Toledo baseball game in 1953. Heck, I guess he deserved a day off.

It was long before then that Gilhooley had his first brush with baseball greatness. There is a framed picture near his easy chair at home from 1926, he guesses, when he would have been 2 years old. Frank's father, a pro baseball player, is standing next to another guy. The other guy is holding young Frank. The other guy was Babe Ruth.

Gilhooley started the first phase of his Mud Hen career in April, 1937, working as a bat boy and clubhouse attendant at old Swayne Field. After starring in the sport at Central Catholic and in college at Notre Dame, Frank sat down behind a microphone for the first time in '53, when the
Boston Braves moved to Milwaukee and the minor league Brewers quickly relocated to Toledo and were named the Sox.

The team needed an announcer. Gilhooley needed a job. He never had to look too hard or far for another one.

Frank did so many things through the years - Ohio State football with the Taberner brothers on radio and University of Toledo basketball on TV. He set the standard for generations to come as sports director at Ch. 13. When he called it a career from that job in 1987, he moved back into the radio booth and knocked off another 1,500 or so baseball games.

His participation has been hit and miss the last couple seasons because of health issues, and when league president Randy
Mobley came up with the idea for a "Spirit of the International League" award, there was only one candidate as the inaugural recipient.

So yesterday was proclaimed "Frank Gilhooley Day" by the city and the Mud Hens gathered a bunch of his close friends for a pregame ceremony. It was like a who's who of local media legends -
Orris Tabner, Jim Tichy, Frank Venner, Gordon Ward and Jim Weber, to name a few - with the Catholic diocese and the city's fire department, two of Gilhooley's favorite institutions, also taking part.

"It started for me with the Hens in '37 and it has been a magical ride," Gilhooley, 86, said after a standing ovation from a crowd of 7,729. "I've always said there's no place like Toledo, with the best, most loyal, most knowledgeable fans in baseball."

If that's true, it's only because we learned from the best for more than six decades.

One of the pregame speakers pointed out that the personality traits and on-air demeanor that made the late Ernie Harwell so beloved in Detroit were the same reasons Toledoans embraced Gilhooley for so many years.

Frank responded that mentioning his name in the same breath as Harwell's was like "putting whitewalls on a garbage truck."

We disagree. Harwell would have, too. Trust me when I tell you Ernie was a big Gilhooley fan.

But, then, aren't we all?

Contact Blade sports columnist
Dave Hackenberg at:
dhack@theblade.com
or 419-724-6398.

Article published May 17, 2010
Mud Hens rally in 9th
Diaz hits game-winner as Toledo tops Indians
By JOHN WAGNER
BLADE SPORTS WRITER

Robinzon Diaz experienced both the highs and lows of hitting in one ninth-inning at-bat Sunday.

While the at-bat started on a low, the Mud Hens' catcher ended it on a high, collecting a game-winning single that capped a 6-5 come-from-behind win over Indianapolis at Fifth Third Field.

Diaz came to the plate in the ninth inning with the game tied, no one out, and teammates Ben Guez and Deik Scram on second and first, respectively. Mud Hens manager Larry Parrish signaled for Diaz to sacrifice the runners up a base, but Diaz failed on the first two pitches thrown by Indians reliever Jean Machi.

"On the bunt attempts I was trying really hard, but when [Machi] was throwing 94, 95 [miles per hour], it's very difficult to do," Diaz said through interpreter Ruddy Lugo.

But Diaz worked himself back into the at-bat by taking three straight pitches, all balls, to make the count full.

"I was looking for a split-finger [fastball] up in the zone because I knew he had that good pitch," Diaz said. "But he kept the ball low, so I waited for him to get the ball up."

Diaz then fouled off a trio of 3-2 pitches, and the runners were moving when Diaz looped the ninth pitch of the at-bat into right for a single that scored Guez with the winning run.

"LP knows I'm a contact hitter," Diaz said. "I want to thank him for giving me the chance to hit in that situation.

"I just wanted to make contact."

The hit by Diaz was the final play in a crazy game that also had highs and lows for the Hens.

The Mud Hens opened the game on a high, scoring two runs in the fourth. With Jeff Frazier on second and Ryan Raburn on third with one out, a 2-2 pitch by Tribe starter Hayden Penn to Max Leon bounced away slightly from Indianapolis catcher Erik Kratz.

Neither runner advanced, but Kratz used his mask to scoop the ball. That's illegal, and it resulted in an error that allowed Raburn to score and moved Frazier to third.

Leon walked, and Guez singled home Frazier.

But the Tribe responded with three runs in the top of the fifth. Hens starter Alfredo Figaro, who allowed just two baserunners in the first four innings, gave up an RBI triple to Kevin Melillo and a run-scoring double to Brian Friday.

After a walk to Jose Tabata, Tabata ran to second to start a double steal. Figaro stepped off the mound and threw to second, but Toledo shortstop Brent Dlugach didn't handle the ball cleanly; while he threw out Tabata trying to scramble back to first, Friday scored.

In the seventh the Tribe got a two-run double from Melillo that was set up by a throwing error by Figaro.

"We gave them some runs," Parrish admitted. "Defensively, we weren't really sharp. And it looked like 'Figgy' lost it a little bit once the defense broke down behind him.

"But [reliever Robbie] Weinhardt kept the score where it was and gave us a chance to come back."

The Hens scored twice in the eighth to start their comeback. Will Rhymes tripled and later scored on a single by Dlugach. Dlugach took third on a single by Raburn and came home on a groundout by Jeff Larish.

In the ninth Leon led off with a double, moved to third on a single by Guez, and came home on a single by Scram, who was 1-for-27 before that hit.

Then Diaz, who came into the game batting just .184, collected the game-winning hit.

"Credit to all of our guys for chipping away at [their lead]," Parrish said. "And two of the biggest hits came from guys at the bottom of the order who have been struggling a little bit recently."

NOTES: RHP Max Scherzer, who was sent down from Detroit Saturday, reported to the Mud Hens before yesterday's game. Parrish said Scherzer will enter the Toledo rotation, perhaps as soon as Thursday. … 2B Scott Sizemore also was sent down by the Tigers Saturday, but did not join the Hens yesterday.

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

Article published May 17, 2010
Hens blank Indy
BLADE STAFF

The bat of Brent Dlugach and the arm of Enrique Gonzales combined to lead the Mud Hens to a 3-0 win over Indianapolis at Fifth Third Field Monday morning.

Gonzales threw a complete game in shutting out the Indians on just two hits, one walk and one hit batsman while striking out nine. The right-hander retired 19 of the last 20 Indianapolis hitters he faced and did not allow a runner past second.

Dlugach provided the offense, slamming a three-run home run off the left-field scoreboard in the sixth off Indians starter Brad Lincoln to score the game's only runs. The homer was Dlugach's third this season.

The game was the first School Celebration Day of the season and attracted a crowd of 9,879 to the ballpark. It marked the Hens' fifth sellout this season.

Article published May 18, 2010
A perfect ending: Hens get win after breaking up pitcher's gem
By JOHN WAGNER
BLADE SPORTS WRITER

One of the unwritten rules of baseball is that no one on a team's bench mentions when one of their own pitchers is throwing a no-hitter.

The idea is that, once someone mentions the no-hitter, the spell will be broken and someone will get a hit.

Monday the Mud Hens found themselves being no-hit by Brad Lincoln of Indianapolis. So they turned that old saying on its ear, and it worked: Brent Dlugach smacked a three-run homer, and Toledo claimed a 3-0 victory in front of a School Celebration Day crowd of 9,879 at Fifth Third Field.

Lincoln, one of the top prospects in the Pirates organization, dominated the Hens through the first five frames. He retired all 15 batters he faced with seven strikeouts and just 50 pitches, throwing first-pitch strikes to 12 of those 15 hitters.

"You're starting to think about [a no-hitter], especially with a guy who is as talented as Lincoln," Hens manager Larry Parrish admitted. "He was throwing well and had good stuff.

"When we hit a couple of balls hard in the fourth and they became outs, you start to wonder if [you'll get no-hit]."

So the Hens took matters into their own hands.

"A couple of our pitchers started talking about it, talking about their guy throwing a perfect game," Dlugach said. "Lincoln's got really good stuff. The key against him - against any pitcher, really - is to swing at a strike and to be aggressive."

And it worked in the sixth. Ben Guez got ahead 3-1 and just missed a home run, lofting a fly ball to the fence in left, and Deik

Scram ended the no-hit bid with a single to right.

With two outs, Will Rhymes laid down a bunt; Lincoln covered it but threw wildly to first, allowing Scram to reach third and Rhymes to move to second.

The next batter was Dlugach, who got ahead of Lincoln 2-1 before lofting a high fly off the left-field scoreboard for his third home run of the season.

"[Lincoln] had been throwing strike one all day, and in that inning he got behind," Parrish said. "He started falling behind in the count, and we got some hits.

"That's how important getting ahead in the count really is."

While those were the only runs the Hens managed, that was more than enough for starter Enrique Gonzalez. The 27-year-old right-hander gave up just two hits, one walk, and one hit batsman and never allowed a baserunner past second base in giving the Hens their third shutout of the season.

"I was working off my fastball, and my curveball was great," Gonzalez said. "I got ahead in the count, and I didn't have to throw a lot of pitches and could go deeper [in the game]."

Parrish said that was the best performance this year for Gonzalez (2-4), who finished with a season-high nine strikeouts.

"His off-speed stuff was working," Parrish said. "He was getting his curveball over, and he was getting his change-up over.

"And the breaking pitches weren't [thrown] as hard, so there was a gap in speeds that the hitters had to cover."

The only surprise came when Parrish allowed Gonzales to pitch the ninth after throwing 104 pitches in the first eight innings.

"At this time of year, he had enough pitches under his belt that you can stretch him out a little bit," Parrish said. "If he didn't have a shutout going, he doesn't go out there."

Gonzalez admitted he was a little surprised he was given a chance to pitch the ninth.

"[Pitching coach] A.J. [Sager] asked me how I felt, and I told him I felt pretty good," Gonzales said. "So he said give me 15 more pitches."

And that's exactly what Gonzalez threw, finishing the game with the last two of his nine strikeouts to become just the fourth pitcher in the International League this season to throw a complete-game shutout.

NOTES: RHP Max Scherzer will step into the Toledo rotation Thursday. He will replace LHP Phil Dumatrait, who may leave the Hens soon. If Dumatrait passes a physical later this week, his contract will be sold to the LG Twins of the Korean Baseball Organization. Dumatrait is 4-1 with a 3.16 ERA in eight starts for Toledo. … RHP Ruddy Lugo will throw a simulated game this afternoon. One of the hitters he will face is OF-1B Ryan Strieby. Both are close to coming off the team's disabled list. … OF Clete Thomas flew to Colorado yesterday to have an MRI on the knee that has kept him out of the lineup since May 11.

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

Article published May 18, 2010
Guillen to start rehab with Hens
Leyland plans to move outfielder to second base when he returns
ASSOCIATED PRESS

DETROIT - Carlos Guillen is focused on getting his bat into shape over the next couple weeks.

He's not worried about his glove.

Guillen has been on the disabled list with a hamstring injury since April 23. According to Guillen, he will begin a rehab assignment Thursday at Triple-A Toledo against Durham.

The Tigers' game against the Chicago White Sox last night was postponed by rain.

Both managers chose to move Monday's starters back today, with Detroit's Rick Porcello (3-3) facing former Tiger Freddy Garcia (2-2). No makeup date was announced, but it is expected that the game will be rescheduled as part of a doubleheader during Chicago's next visit to Detroit, which takes place Aug. 3-5.

While Guillen has been waiting to get healthy, he has lost his starting spot in left field to rookie Brennan Boesch. Boesch is hitting .380 with 19 RBIs in 19 games.

That doesn't mean Guillen will come back to the bench, though. Coming out of spring training, the Tigers handed their second-base job to another rookie, Scott Sizemore, and the move didn't work. Sizemore was demoted to Triple-A Toledo last weekend with a .206 batting average.

In the short term, he is being replaced by another rookie, Danny Worth, and utilityman Ramon Santago, but Tigers manager Jim Leyland expects Guillen to take over there when he's healthy.

Guillen hasn't played second base in the major leagues since starting there twice for Seattle in 1999, but no one thinks the conversion will be a problem.

"If you can play shortstop in the major leagues - and Carlos did that for a long time - you can play any position," Leyland said before last night's game against Chicago was rained out. "A groundball is a groundball. You field them the same."

For Guillen, a defensive switch is nothing new. After playing shortstop on a regular basis from 1999-2007 for the Mariners and Tigers, he started 2008 at first base to make room for newly signed Edgar Renteria.

That only lasted a few weeks, as it quickly became obvious that another free-agent acquisition, Miguel Cabrera, wasn't able to handle third base. So he and Guillen switched spots, and Guillen finished the season at third.

In 2009, things changed again. This time, the Tigers signed Gerald Laird to improve their catching defense, which moved Brandon Inge to third base and Guillen to left field.

Now, second base - his fifth regular position in four seasons.

"It's not a big deal - I've always been ready to play every position," he said. "The only difference between second base and shortstop is the double-play, and I can handle that."

Guillen thinks that a big bonus will the two outstanding defenders on the left side of Detroit's infield.

"We've got Brandon Inge at third base, and he's one of the best in the game, and we've got Adam Everett at shortstop, and I think he is the best in the game," Guillen said. "So I don't have to worry about them. They are going to throw the ball to me. All I've got to do is catch it and throw it to first."

Santiago has bounced back and forth between second and short all season, and agrees that Guillen isn't going to have any problem.

"Even when he was playing the outfield, he took ground balls every day and worked really hard at the infield," Santiago said. "He just has to practice the pivot, and he'll be fine."

Guillen is looking forward to getting back.

"The only thing I still have to work on is running the bases - I did that Saturday and I was supposed to do it again today, but now the tarp is on the field," he said. "Other than that, I just need a couple days to get my timing back at the plate."

Article published May 19, 2010
Hens' Gagnier stymies Bulls in 2nd start
By JOHN WAGNER
Blade Sports Writer

Five days ago L.J. Gagnier made his first start for the Mud Hens this season.

It wasn't pretty.

But last night Gagnier had much more success against the Durham team that roughed him up in his first start. The right-hander allowed just three hits and a walk in seven shutout innings to pitch Toledo to a 5-3 victory over the Bulls.

What was different?

"I felt I did a better job of slowing the game down," Gagnier said. "In your first outing you always want to impress your teammates and coaches, and the game can start moving

"In this second go-round I tried to execute my pitches."

In Gagnier's start at Durham the 25-year-old right-hander allowed eight hits and five runs but didn't survive the fourth inning. Last night he didn't allow a hit until Joe Dillon singled to lead off the fifth, and he did not allow a Bull past second while striking out three.

"He had a softer breaking ball [than in his first start], and that caused them to hit some balls off the end of the bat," Parrish said. "And because the breaking ball was so good, they weren't able to catch up to the fastball as well and hit a lot of fly-ball outs."


Gagnier said he's a different pitcher than he was in 2008, when he made seven starts for the Hens and went 3-3 with a 5.66 ERA.

"I've learned how to read hitters better," he said. "There are small things that are going on in the game that you don't see when you're younger. The experiences I had when I was younger are helping me two years later."

One change that Lauren Joseph Gagnier made was with his name: he was known as Lauren Gagnier in his first go-round with the Hens.

"I felt I struggled a little bit in 2008, especially with all of the jumping around," said Gagnier, who pitched at four different levels that season. "I wanted to get a fresh start in 2009, so I made a little change."

Gagnier finished with a 10-10 record last season and threw well for Double-A Erie to start this season, posting a 3-0 record and 2.83 ERA.

"I had success in Erie by throwing first-pitch strikes," he said. "I'm not going to blow the ball by anyone, so I need to be able to throw a mix of quality pitches."

The Mud Hens offense supported Gagnier by scratching out single runs in five different innings. In the second Jeff Frazier led off with a double and came home on a single by Deik Scram.

In the fifth Will Rhymes singled, and Frazier followed a two-out walk to Jeff Larish by doubling over the head of Justin Ruggiano in right field to score Rhymes.

Toledo added an unearned run in the sixth without the benefit of a hit as Scram walked, stole second, then tried to go to third on a sacrifice bunt by Max St-Pierre. Durham reliever Mike Ekstrom threw to third in time to retire Scram, but his wild throw instead allowed Scram to score.

With two outs and none on in the seventh, Ben Guez worked Bulls reliever Winston Abreu for a walk, and Scram drove him in with a double down the right-field line.

And the Hens got a second unearned run in the eighth when Rhymes reached on an error, stole second, and scored on a single by Brent Dlugach.

"[Bulls starter Carlos Hernandez] can pitch," Parrish said. "He really shut us down in Durham. We didn't exactly kill him in this game, but we pushed a few across."

All those runs proved to be important when the Bulls scored three times in the ninth off Jay Sborz. A run-scoring double by Chris Richard and a two-run double by Alvin Colina brought the potential game-tying run to the plate before Sborz retired Rashad Eldridge on a fly ball to close out the Hens' fourth straight victory.

NOTES: The plans for Detroit IF Carlos Guillen in Toledo have changed. Guillen will be at Fifth Third Field today through Friday to work on his running and on playing second base. Guillen, who went on the Tigers' disabled list roughly a month ago, isn't expected to play for the Hens until they begin a series in Syracuse Saturday. … 1B Jeff Larish pulled a groin muscle running the bases last night and won't be available today. … OF Clete Thomas was placed on the disabled list with a knee injury. … RHP Ruddy Lugo threw a simulated game before yesterday's contest. … OF-1B Ryan Strieby hit against Lugo yesterday and may be activated from the disabled list as early as today.

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

Article published May 19, 2010
Hens dominate Durham
BLADE STAFF

The Mud Hens won their fifth straight game by knocking off Durham 5-2 in front of a School Celebration Day crowd of 10,300 at Fifth Third Field Wednesday.

Toledo scored a run in the first on a two-out RBI double by Jeff Frazier. The Bulls tied the contest on a bases-loaded walk in the third, but the Mud Hens countered with a pair of runs in the bottom of that frame.

Ryan Raburn singled and Brent Dlugach walked in front of Scott Sizemore, who lined a two-run double into the right-center gap.

The Bulls scored once in the sixth, but the Hens got that run back in the bottom of the frame when Robinzon Diaz scored on a passed ball. Toledo added an insurance run in the seventh on a run-scoring single by Max Leon.

Article published May 20, 2010
Mud Hens get out early, drop Bulls
Toledo has won 6 straight morning games
By JOHN WAGNER
BLADE SPORTS WRITER

The Mud Hens are turning in to the Morning Hens.

Toledo claimed a 5-2 victory over Durham yesterday morning in the team's second School Celebration Day contest of the season. The win was the Hens' sixth morning victory in a row over the last three seasons, and it gave them a 23-8 record in these contests that start at 10:30 a.m.

What has been the key to Toledo's success in these games?

"It may be because we have a young team, and it's easier for them to wake up than it is for older guys," Mud Hens manager Larry Parrish said. "Seriously, in these games, if you pitch well early and get a lead, it's tough for the other team to 'fire up.' It's easier to get a team down."

First baseman Jeff Frazier, who had two of the Hens' 12 hits, said the adjustment to an early morning start isn't easy.

"We're used to playing night games," the 27-year-old Frazier said. "[Getting up for the game] is something you have to do, physically and mentally. I know that, for the morning games, it can be a drag just to walk to the ballpark.

"Whatever you've got to do to get ready for the game - whether it's more coffee, maybe a couple more sprints- you've got to do it."

Second baseman Scott Sizemore, 25, whose two-run double in the third gave Toledo the lead for good, said he tries to get to the ballpark a little earlier than usual for the morning games.


"I feel if I'm not rushed, I get a good breakfast and take my time warming up, I give myself a better chance [for success]," he said. "My body is in the right place when it's time to play."

The Hens got things rolling in the first when Will Rhymes walked, then circled the bases on Frazier's two-out double into the left-center gap.

"I thought in the first inning, when Frazier lined that ball in the gap to give us a lead, it was really important," Parrish said. "I bunt more on days like this, because a run here and there makes a difference.

"You don't normally see big innings or blowout games. It's always a close, low-scoring affair."

Durham scored an unearned run in the third off Toledo starter Ryan Ketchner. A walk, a single, and an error loaded the bases, and Ketchner issued a walk to Justin Ruggiano to force a run home.

But Ketchner then retired Joe Dillon and Angel Chavez with the bases loaded and eventually earned the win.

The Hens took the lead for good in the bottom of the inning when Sizemore, batting with one out and runners on first and second, plugged the gap in right-center for a two-run double.

"It was a fastball inner-half down that I got inside of and hit into the right-center gap," Sizemore said. "Any hit at this point is going to build confidence for me."

Durham got a run in the top of the sixth on an RBI single by Alvin Colina, but Toledo got the run back when Robinzon Diaz scored on a passed ball. The Hens added an insurance run in the seventh when Max Leon lined a two-out single to left that scored Frazier.

Parrish cautioned that the win, Toledo's fifth in a row, wasn't a cause for excessive celebration.

"Early in the year, I think things tend to balance out," he said. "We weren't good at home early in the season, so this could be 'water seeking its own level' to balance things out.

"But a win is a win. You can't take them away. We take wins whenever they come."

NOTES: Detroit IF Carlos Guillen arrived at Fifth Third Field before yesterday's 10:30 a.m. start, but he didn't do his work until after the game. Guillen, who ran the bases before taking throws and grounders around second base, is expected to work out with the Hens again today and tomorrow. He is expected to begin a rehab assignment when Toledo starts a four-game series at Syracuse Saturday. … Before yesterday's game the Mud Hens activated OF-1B Ryan Strieby. Strieby, who had a left wrist injury that sent him to the disabled list April 22, was available only in an emergency. … LHP Phil Dumatrait was placed on the temporarily inactive list. Dumatrait's contract will be sold to the LG Twins of the Korean Baseball Organization once he passes a physical. … The loss yesterday continues a stretch of "fours" for the Bulls. Over the last 20 games, Durham has lost four, won four, lost four, won four, and now lost the last four.

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

Article published May 21, 2010
Scherzer gives up 1 hit as Hens blank Durham
By JOHN WAGNER
Blade Sports Writer

While Carlos Guillen worked out at Fifth Third Field yesterday, he didn't play in the contest against Durham.

Thanks to Max Scherzer, the Hens didn't need Guillen.

Scherzer who was sent to Toledo by the parent Tigers last Saturday, was impressive in his first start here. The 25-year-old righthander allowed just one hit in eight innings to lead the Hens to a 4-0 victory over Durham.

Scherzer consistently threw fastballs in the 92-95 mph range while throwing his change-up and curve for strikes. The only hit the Bulls managed was a double by Rashad Eldridge in the second that would have been a single except for a bad hop past Ryan Raburn in center.

Scherzer said he made a change in his mechanics that allowed him to throw strikes on 67 of his 103 pitches last night. He finished with 10 strikeouts.

"I was working on shortening my arm action to allow my arm to find my natural arm slot," Scherzer said. "I think that made my secondary stuff better, and allowed me to pitch with three pitches.

"I was able to get my slider over, get my change-up over, and I was able to throw them out of the zone when I needed to."

It was a far cry from the pitcher who struggled to a 1-4 record and 7.29 ERA in eight starts with the Tigers.

"I've been battling it the last four or five starts," Scherzer said. "I knew something wasn't right - I've been battling it and battling it. But I never lost confidence. You have to have a strong backbone.

"The day I got optioned down was the day I saw what the [mechanical] fix needed to be. Hopefully I can keep having success."

The only tough decision Hens manager Larry Parrish had with Scherzer was determining when to take him out of the game. Scherzer lobbied to pitch the eighth, but was pulled in the ninth in favor of Robbie Weinhardt.

Meanwhile, Guillen spent his second day in Toledo taking ground balls and making double-play throws at second base while running the bases and taking batting practice. The veteran infielder will work out with the Hens today, then join the team on the road when it begins a series in Syracuse tomorrow.

"I'm almost 100 percent right now," he said. "I ran the bases the last two days, and I feel good."

Guillen, who went on the disabled list April 22 with a strained hamstring, said he doesn't know how much time he'll spend with the Hens.

Guillen hasn't played second base since playing in 12 games there with Seattle in 1998-99. But the 34-year-old didn't hesitate when asked whether he was more concerned by the hamstring injury or the move to second.

"The injury [is the bigger concern]," Guillen said. "I want to stay healthy and stay on the field. I'm here to make sure my leg feels better. I'm trying to get ready to head north."

Guillen will add punch to a lineup that has been producing enough runs to help the Hens win their last six games, during which Toledo has outscored the opposition 30-13.

The offensive hero yesterday was Jeff Frazier, who followed hits by Scott Sizemore and Ryan Raburn in the sixth with a three-run home run to left.

"He's just a guy that puts all different types of pitches in play," Parrish said of Frazier. "I was thinking that Frazier was the guy who was on [Durham starting pitcher Heath Phillips] in his first two at-bats, so we couldn't have scripted it any better than to have him come up [to the plate] in that situation.

"I didn't know he was going to hit a homer, but I thought we could score at least one run with him at the plate."

NOTES: Ryan Strieby remains on the active roster but was available only in an emergency. … Jeff Larish also remains on the active roster, but is not available because of his groin injury. … The Mud Hens feasted on a spread from P.F. Chang's after the game courtesy of Guillen.

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

Article published May 22, 2010
Parrish's job a juggling act at times
By MATT MARKEY
BLADE SPORTS WRITER

Last night, Larry Parrish was fully prepared for another delicate balancing act as the manager of the Mud Hens.

The job description for a minor league boss calls for him to work with players on their way up to the big leagues, guys trying to recover from an injury, players fighting the slide down from the majors, and other guys just treading water and trying to hang on to a dream.

Oh, and while he is massaging all of that, Parrish needs to try and win some games. That's Triple-A baseball, a whistle stop for some, a high-stakes audition for others, a last gasp for a few.

"That's the whole thing at this level, trying to find that balance where you are doing everything you can to try and win the game, but within the parameters that have been laid out," Parrish said.

"There are certain things that we have to accomplish with individual players, and that is the first priority. And if you can work that in and win - then that's great."

The Mud Hens, who have had 28 roster changes in a season that's six weeks old, got rained out of last night's game with Durham at Fifth Third Field. The Hens play at Syracuse tonight.

Last night's scheduled Toledo starter, Alfredo Figaro, began the season with the Mud Hens, got called up to the parent club in Detroit on May 12 to bolster the bullpen for a doubleheader and then sent back to Toledo two days later.

Toledo's starting center fielder Ryan Raburn was sent down from the Tigers on the 12th and is hitting .444 for the Hens. Second baseman Scott Sizemore came down from Detroit on May 15 after hitting just .206 with the Tigers.

Parrish, in his seventh season as manager of the Hens, said most players shipped down from Detroit come with specific instructions, whether they arrive as part of an injury rehab assignment or because of a demotion. Serving multiple agendas goes with the territory, he said, but preparing players for the big league club takes precedence.

While the Hens were preparing for last night's scheduled game, Detroit regular Carlos Guillen continued his recovery regimen following a strained hamstring injury suffered in April. The Tigers sent him to Toledo to go through a graduated routine of running and fielding ground balls, with his first start scheduled for the Hens expected to be tonight in Syracuse. Besides rehabbing his hamstring, Guillen is readying himself for a move to second base upon his return to Detroit.

"Most of the time, when they send guys down here for rehab, we start off with things pretty well mapped out, as in how much work they want to see them get," Parrish said. "With Guillen, the plan is for him to start playing five innings for a few days, and after that if everything is good, then he'll just play."

The player traffic between the Mud Hens and Detroit, and between Toledo and stops on the minor league ladder, is endless. The Mud Hens had 102 roster moves last year and 139 in 2008. Parrish said players sent down from the Tigers because of inadequate production react to the relegation in a variety of manners.

"It's an individual thing. You'll have some guys who are so anxious to get back up there, they will put pressure on themselves to try and do too much, too fast," Parrish said. "Then you have other guys who will come down here and they are upset. Either they don't think they should have been sent down and they keep asking 'why me,' or then you have the guy who goes the other way, and he has a real confidence issue because he was sent down."

Parrish said that after giving the player time to cool off, he has to make an assessment as to which approach will work best.

"You have to treat them differently according to their mind-set. It sometimes takes a couple of days, but you just sort of watch and see what kind of mind-set does he have," Parrish said.

"You are more a psychologist than a manager at times, but there's a lot of that at any level. I think sometimes the good coaches and managers - that may be their strong suit. It's finding a way to make a guy play."

Contact Matt Markey at:
mmarkey@theblade.com
or 419-724-6510.

Article published May 23, 2010
Chiefs halt Hens' streak

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The Mud Hens six-game winning streak came to an end with a 3-2 loss to Syracuse last night.

The Hens could only muster four hits as Chiefs starter J.D. Martin (2-1) was dominant in eight innings of work, striking out five and walking none. He gave up just three hits and his two runs were unearned.

Mud Hens left fielder Ryan Strieby, playing his first game since April 21, hit a two-run home run to put the Hens in front 2-1 in the sixth inning.

The Chiefs evened things at two apiece in the bottom of the inning. Toledo starter Alfredo Figaro walked in a run to tie the game.

Pete Orr put Syracuse in front for good with his second home run of the game, again in lead off fashion, this time to begin the bottom of the seventh off reliever Scot Drucker (2-2).

Toledo had one hit through the first five innings, before it got a break. With two outs in the top of the sixth, Carlos Guillen, on a rehab assignment from Detroit, reached base safely on an error. Ryan Strieby, playing his first game since April 21, followed with a two-run home run to put the Hens in front 2-1.

Orr led things off with a home run in the bottom of the first.

The Hens got runners on second and third with two outs in the ninth, but Deik Scram struck out.

The series continues today.

Article published May 23, 2010
Hens notebook: Tigers prospects on opposite paths
Sizemore sent down after struggling; Worth promoted after solid start
By JOHN WAGNER
BLADE SPORTS WRITER

On June 15 of last season, a promising second baseman was promoted to Toledo, while a struggling middle infielder was demoted to Double-A Erie.

But in a year's time, much has changed for both the promising second baseman, Scott Sizemore, and the struggling middle infielder, Danny Worth.

The early season success of Worth with the Mud Hens, combined with the struggles Sizemore had with the Tigers to start the year, prompted Detroit to call up Worth and send Sizemore to Toledo a week ago.

It was a startling turnaround for Worth, who last season hit just .212 in 41 games with the Mud Hens before his demotion, then batted just .239 in 75 games with the SeaWolves.

"I remember [when I got sent down] last year [Hens manager Larry Parrish] gave me some things to work on," Worth said. "He said I should get stronger, get faster. He also gave me a couple of things to work on mechanically with my hitting.

"I took those things into the off-season and worked hard on them. Maybe that paid off."

Worth batted .274 in 36 games with Toledo this season and proved his defensive versatility by played at third base, shortstop, and second base. He has continued his success with Detroit, hitting .308 in his first four games.

Parrish said there was a "big change" in Worth from last year to this year.

"Last year here he was overmatched with the bat," Parrish said. "Some of those things we talked about he probably didn't want to hear.

"But you have to give him credit. Some times, when you try to make changes with a guy, you don't see [the benefit] right away. A lot of times it isn't until the next year until you start seeing the benefits."

While the 23-year-old Worth may be sent back to the Hens when Detroit activates Carlos Guillen from the disabled list, his early season success has been a boon to his career.

"Danny really played himself back on the radar screen," Parrish said. "His versatility, being able to play around the infield, is a plus. He has a plus arm and soft hands. How much time he gets depends on his bat."

Meanwhile Sizemore, the Tigers' opening day second baseman, struggled in the major leagues. He batted just .206 in 30 games while committing six errors, more than any other American League second baseman.

Sizemore said his first tour of the majors was an eye-opener.

"You have to be on top of your game every day," he said. "I don't think I was fighting myself - I think I was just trying to find that formula for success. I don't think I ever hit my stride, where things were effortless. It was a grind for me every day, scrapping in every at-bat just to get a knock.

"That's tough, especially when it's your first time up there."

His struggles were a far cry from last season, when he was Detroit's minor league player of the year after batting .307 in 59 games for Erie and .308 in 71 games in Toledo.

Both Sizemore and Parrish said the focus is on polishing Sizemore's game, not making a total overhaul.

"We'll continue to work on some of the same things defensively that we were last year, kind of fine-tuning some things," Parrish said. "Offensively, they said he had trouble when the fastball was elevated, and he wasn't aggressive early in the count."

Sizemore has hit .286 in his first four games with the Hens since his demotion, and he said he is confident that steady improvement with Toledo will lead to a second chance in Detroit.

"Offense was the area where I struggled the most, so that's where I'm the most focused," Sizemore said. "In general I know I have to get better - offense, defense,
baserunning, everything."

SURPRISING LOSS: Parrish admitted he was surprised when Detroit sold the contract of LHP Phil Dumatrait to the LG Twins of the Korean Baseball Organization.

"I think he would have pitched with the Tigers this season," Parrish said. "I don't know if it would have been as a starter or as a reliever, but I think he would have been with Detroit at some point this year. I was a little surprised [that the deal was made]."

Left-handed hitters batted .163 against Dumatrait, who was 4-1 with a 3.16 ERA in eight starts for the Hens this year. He won his last three starts with Toledo, allowing just six hits and six runs (three earned) in 18 innings.

MORE MOVES: After the Tigers lost in Oakland Friday they recalled Ryan Raburn and returned OF Casper Wells to the Mud Hens.

Raburn hit .444 in seven games with Toledo with six doubles among his 12 hits, while Wells batted .222 in four games with Detroit.

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

Article published May 25, 2010
Hens lose but score on Strasburg
ASSOCIATED PRESS

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Stephen Strasburg finally has an earned run average in Triple-A ball.

Strasburg, who had not allowed a run in winning his first three starts for the Syracuse Chiefs, went five innings last night against the Toledo Mud Hens, allowing five hits and two runs, one earned.

He threw 52 pitches, 36 for strikes, did not walk anyone and struck out five, departing with the game tied 2.

The right-hander had allowed only four hits and no runs in 181/3 innings in his first three starts with Syracuse.

Strasburg, the top pick in the 2009 amateur draft by the Washington Nationals, was finally touched for an unearned run in the third, ending his scoreless streak at 201/3 innings at the minors' highest level. Toledo's Deik Scram hit a hard grounder over first base and down the right-field line for a triple and scored on a passed ball.

Will Rhymes and Carlos Guillen put the ball in play on the first pitch, and both hit soft fly balls to the outfield before Strasburg caught Scott Sizemore looking at a 2-2 curve to end the inning.

Jeff Frazier singled to center with one out in the second for Toledo, hitting an 81 mph curve up the middle on a 1-1 offering. Strasburg then struck out Casper Wells with an 83 mph curve after five straight pitches registered 96 mph or faster on the Alliance Bank Stadium radar gun.

Brent Dlugach was retired on a comebacker to end the inning.

Kevin Mench was ejected after a called third strike in the bottom of the third and Chiefs manager Trent Jewett followed him to the clubhouse after a lengthy tirade
directed at plate umpire Alan Porter.

Strasburg seemed distracted by the delay as he warmed up for the fourth, and the Mud Hens took advantage.

Guillen led off with a line single to right, and after Ryan Strieby struck out swinging at an 81 mph curve, Frazier lined a double down the left-field line and Wells followed with an RBI single to left to tie the game at 2.

Article published May 25, 2010
Mud Hens beat Syracuse
By BLADE STAFF

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Max Scherzer delivered another dominant start as the Mud Hens defeated the Syracuse Chiefs 6-3 last night at Alliance Bank Stadium.

Scherzer went seven innings and gave up three hits, striking out seven and walking one.

On May 20 after being sent down from Detroit, Scherzer posted a one-hit, eight-inning, 10-strikeout performance in his first start with Toledo.

Last night, second baseman Carlos Guillen had three doubles and left fielder Ryan Strieby drove in five runs.

The Hens scored two runs in the top of the first. Scott Sizemore led off the game with a single. Guillen later doubled to put runners on second and third with one out. Strieby then hit a two-run double to put Toledo ahead 2-0.

The Chiefs began the bottom of the second with back-to-back doubles by Josh Whitesell and Chase Lambin. However, Lambin's hit was a line drive that looked as if it would be caught and Whitesell had to hold up, causing him to only advance to third. Luis Ordaz brought him in with a sacrifice fly to left field, cutting the Toledo lead in half.

Toledo designated hitter Max Leon singled to begin the third inning, stretching his hit streak to five games. Guillen followed with an RBI double. Leon raced home to give the Hens a 3-1 lead.

Syracuse had runners on second and third with one out in the fifth, but Scherzer slammed the door shut with consecutive strikeouts.

Toledo added insurance runs in the seventh to put the game out of reach. Max St-Pierre led things off with a double. Ben Guez struck out before Sizemore singled to put two runners in scoring position. St-Pierre then scored on a Leon sac fly. Guillen hit his third double of the game, and a Strieby single cleared the bases, giving the Mud Hens a 6-1 lead.

Syracuse scored two runs in the ninth on a home run by Lambin.

Toledo has its second off day of the season today. They resume play tomorrow at Buffalo.

Article published May 26, 2010
Mud Hens dominate in road victory
Scherzer strikes out 7 against Chiefs
THE BLADE

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Max Scherzer delivered another dominant start as the Mud Hens defeated the Syracuse Chiefs 6-3 last night at Alliance Bank Stadium.

Scherzer went seven innings and gave up three hits, striking out seven and walking one.

On May 20 after being sent down from Detroit, Scherzer posted a one-hit, eight-inning, 10-strikeout performance in his first start with Toledo.

Second baseman Carlos Guillen had three doubles and left fielder Ryan Strieby drove in five runs last night.

The Hens scored two runs in the top of the first. Scott Sizemore led off the game with a single. Guillen later doubled to put runners on second and third with one out. Strieby then hit a two-run double to put Toledo ahead 2-0.

The Chiefs began the bottom of the second with back-to-back doubles by Josh Whitesell and Chase Lambin. However, Lambin's hit was a line drive that looked as if it would be caught, so Whitesell had to hold up causing him to only advance to third. Luis Ordaz brought him in with a sacrifice fly to left field, cutting the Toledo lead in half.

Toledo designated hitter Max Leon singled to begin the third inning, stretching his hit streak to five games. Guillen followed with an RBI double. Leon raced home to give the Hens a 3-1 lead.

Syracuse had runners on second and third with one out in the fifth, but Scherzer slammed the door shut with consecutive strikeouts.

Toledo added insurance runs in the seventh to put the game out of reach. Max St-Pierre led things off with a double. Ben Guez struck out before Sizemore singled to put two runners in scoring position. St-Pierre then scored on a Leon sac fly. Guillen hit his third double of the game and a Strieby single cleared the bases, giving the Mud Hens a 6-1 lead.

Syracuse scored two runs in the ninth on a home run by Lambin.

Toledo has its second off day of the season today. They resume play tomorrow at Buffalo.

Article published May 27, 2010
Hessman haunts Hens with game-winning homer in 10th
BLADE STAFF

BUFFALO - The Mud Hens are well aware of Mike Hessman's home run prowess. After all, he hit a club record 140 of them while wearing a Hens uniform.

This time, however, the Hens got to see what it's like from the opponent's point of view as Hessman hit the game-winning home run in the bottom of the 10th inning off Hens reliever Josh Rainwater in the Bison's 8-7 victory over the Mud Hens on Thursday.

It was Hessman's 16th homer of the season.

Jeff Frazier led the Hens, going 1 of 5 with a homer, his sixth, and three RBIs. Max St-Pierre went 2 of 5 and drove in a pair of runs.

Ruddy Lugo (1-2, 7.11 ERA) started the game for the Hens, giving up four earned runs over five innings.

Article published May 28, 2010
Longtime Hen Hessman sinks Toledo with 2 HRs

BUFFALO - Mike Hessman beat his former team Thursday, hitting his second home run of the night to lead off the bottom of the 10th inning as Buffalo topped the visiting Mud Hens 8-7.

Always a threat to homer while with the Hens, Hessman hit his 16th of the year to center field to end the game.

Josh Rainwater, whose only batter was Hessman, fell to 1-2.

After watching their two-run lead evaporate when Buffalo (28-19) scored three runs in the fifth, the Hens re-took control by putting up four runs in the seventh. The big blow came on Jeff Frazier's three-run homer.

The Hens did not score again, while Buffalo added one run in the seventh and two more in the eighth to send the game to extra innings.

Hens reliever Daniel Schlereth allowed consecutive doubles - to Hessman and Mike Jacobs - in the eighth before being pulled for Casey Fien. Both Hessman and Jacobs scored in the inning to tie the game at 7.

Ryan Strieby, Max St-Pierre, and Ben Guez each recorded two hits for the Hens (26-21), and St-Pierre had two RBIs.

Hens starter Ruddy Lugo lasted five innings, allowing four earned runs on five hits.

Article published May 29, 2010
Buffalo turns back Mud Hens

BUFFALO - The Toledo Mud Hens fell behind Buffalo early and, despite two late home runs, dropped a 7-3 decision to the Bisons here last night.

Toledo was off to a promising start. Scott Sizemore doubled to open the first inning and went to third on a groundout by Maxwell Leon. Ryan Strieby hit a grounder to third, but Sizemore was thrown out at the plate by third baseman Mike Hessman. Jeff Frazier then walked, but Casper Wells was called out on strikes.

Mike Jacobs' three-run home run with two outs in the third gave the Bisons a lead they never relinquished.

Toledo scored its first run with two outs in the fourth when Will Rhymes doubled home Frazier.

The Hens got their final runs of the game in the sixth when Strieby homered (No. 4) to open the inning and Wells hit a home run (No. 6) one batter later.

Alfredo Figaro started on the mound for Toledo and gave up the first five runs. Brendan Wise replaced Figaro in the fifth and pitch 22/3 scoreless innings. Josh Rainwater pitched the ninth and gave up Buffalo's last two runs.

Article published May 29, 2010
Hens win home run battle with Bison

BUFFALO — The Mud Hens hit three home runs to claim a 5-4 victory over Buffalo at Coca-Cola Field Saturday.

Max Leon, Jeff Frazier, and Casper Wells all went deep to help Toledo snap a two-game losing streak.

Leon got the Hens on the board in the opening inning by hitting his first homer of the season, a long fly that just curled inside the right-field foul pole.

The Bisons tied the game in the bottom of the first as the first three batters singled off Toledo starter Enrique Gonzalez to load the bases with none out. Gonzalez got Mike Hessman to hit into a double play that scored a run but blunted the rally.

The Hens retook the lead in the third as Deik Scram singled, stole second, and scored on an single by Scott Sizemore. After a walk, Danny Worth lined a single to bring home Sizemore.

In the bottom of the third Hessman lined his International League-leading 17th home run of the season. The two-run home run, Hessman’s third in three games against his former team, tied the game at 3.

Toledo took the lead for good in the bottom of the sixth when Frazier slammed his team-leading seventh home run of the season.

The Mud Hens added an insurance run in the ninth when Wells tied Frazier for the team lead by pounding a home run to center.

That run proved to be crucial when the Bisons’ Andy Green led off the bottom of the ninth by slamming a home run, his sixth third year, off reliever Jay Sborz.

But the right-hander was able to retire the next three Buffalo batters without incident to record his team-leading 10th save of the season.

Gonzalez (4-4) won his third straight start, allowing nine hits but only three runs in 62/3 innings.

Hens power up, edge Buffalo 5-4
By David Schoenholtz
05/29/2010 3:47 PM ET

(Buffalo, NY) - The Toledo Mud Hens used three home runs to win for the first time in three tries against the Buffalo Bisons, by the score of 5-4 on Saturday afternoon at Coca-Cola Field.

Max Leon put the Hens on the board with a first-inning home run - his first of the year - off Buffalo starter Tobi Stoner (3-5).

Buffalo tied the game in the bottom of the first. After the first three Bisons singled to load the bases, former Mud Hen Mike Hessman grounded into a 6-4-3 double play as Jesus Feliciano scored.

In the top of the third, Deik Scram singled, stole second, and scored on an RBI single by Scott Sizemore. After Leon walked, Danny Worth lined a single to right-center to make it a 3-1 lead for Toledo.

In the bottom of the inning, Buffalo put two on with none out. Enrique Gonzalez (4-4) induced a double play off the bat of Daniel Murphy, but Hessman crushed his league-leading 17th home run over the wall in left-center field to tie the game at 3-3.

Andy Green led off the bottom of the fourth with a double down the left-field line, but was stranded at third to end the inning.

Stoner had retired 10 in a row when Jeff Frazier hit a two-out home run in the top of the sixth to give the Mud Hens a 4-3 advantage. After a Casper Wells single, Stoner was pulled in favor of Michael O'Connor, who got Will Rhymes to ground out to end the rally.

Daniel Schlereth relieved Gonzalez with two outs in the seventh, and after he did his job, Jay Sborz came on with two down in the bottom of eighth. Sborz walked Hessman and Mike Jacobs followed with a long fly ball to the warning track in right field, but Deik Scram made the catch for the third out of the inning.

Toledo added an insurance run in the top of the ninth on Wells's seventh home run of the season. The run proved valuable, as Green led off the bottom of the ninth with a solo shot of his own. The next three hitters went down as Buffalo saw its two-game losing streak come to an end.

Gonzalez earned the win, and Stoner took the loss for the Bisons. Sborz picked up his 10th save.

Toledo moves to 27-22, while Buffalo falls to 29-20.

The Mud Hens wrap up their series with the Bisons on Sunday at 1:05 p.m. The Hens return to Toledo on May 31st to host Lehigh Valley in a 5:00 p.m. Memorial Day game. Click for Upcoming Game Tickets | Box Score

Game Notes

* Max Leon hit his first home run of the season off Buffalo starter Tobi Stoner in the first inning.
* Ryan Strieby struck out four times.
* Enrique Gonzalez has won his last three starts.
* Buffalo's Mike Hessman hit his third home run of the series against his former team and leads the International League with 17 homers and 53 RBIs.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Mud Hens outslug Buffalo 8-7
By David Schoenholtz
05/30/2010 4:46 PM ET

(Buffalo, NY) - In a game that featured five home runs and 10 extra-base hits overall, the Toledo Mud Hens came out on top, defeating the Buffalo Bisons, 8-7 on Sunday afternoon at Coca-Cola Field.

The Hens batted around in the top of the second against Buffalo starter Dylan Owen (1-1). Jeff Frazier and Casper Wells hit back-to-back home runs to start the inning, and Max St-Pierre and Scott Sizemore contributed RBI singles to push the Mud Hen lead to 4-0.

The Bison bats were quiet until the bottom of the fifth, when Daniel Murphy brought Buffalo back within a run with a three-run homer, chasing Toledo's Ryan Ketchner one out shy of qualifying for the win.

Michael O'Connor relieved Owen in the sixth, but was not effective, surrendering the third Toledo homer of the game - this time to Brent Dlugach. A walk to Deik Scram, a double by Max St-Pierre and a walk to Scott Sizemore loaded the bases and brought an end to O'Connor's short outing. Max Leon hit a sacrifice fly off new pitcher Bobby Parnell to make it a 6-3 game, and the Mud Hens tacked on two more runs in the inning on consecutive errors by Murphy and Justin Turner.

The Bisons responded in the bottom of the inning against Scot Drucker. Mike Jacobs led off with a double and scored on a two-run homer by Mike Cervenak. One out later, Drucker gave up a double to Josh Thole, hit Ruben Tejada, and was pulled after his final batter, Jesus Feliciano, singled to load the bases. Brendan Wise came in and gave up an RBI single to Murphy but limited the damage as Toledo held on to an 8-7 lead.

Buffalo put two on with one out in the bottom of the eighth, but Wise got Turner to ground into an inning-ending double play to end the threat.

Casey Fien retired the Bisons in order in the bottom of the ninth to record his third save.

Wise earned the win with 2.2 innings of scoreless relief, and Owen took the loss for Buffalo.

Toledo improves to 28-22, while the loss drops Buffalo to 29-21.

The Hens return to Toledo on Monday to host Lehigh Valley in a 5:00 p.m. Memorial Day game. Click for Upcoming Game Tickets | Box Score

Game Notes

* Jeff Frazier and Casper Wells hit back-to-back home runs off Buffalo starter Dylan Owen in the second inning.

* Ryan Strieby struck out in his first two at-bats today and had struck out in seven consecutive times to the plate until flying out in the top of the fifth.

* Buffalo's Jesus Feliciano went 5-5 and had 13 hits in 19 at-bats in the four-game series.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Hens-Pigs postponed; doubleheader Tuesday
05/31/2010 7:06 PM ET

Toledo, OH - Monday night's game between Toledo and Lehigh Valley was postponed due to rain.

The teams will play a double-header Tuesday starting at 5:30 p.m. The second game will begin approximately 30 minutes following the conclusion of the first game. Both games will be seven innings.

Tickets from Monday's game can be exchanged for any regular season game for the 2010 season (based on availability). Upcoming Game
Tickets

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.