Hens tally nine runs in victory over Clippers

Toledo, Ohio – The Mud Hens batted their way to a 9-4 victory over the interstate rival Columbus Clippers. Renato Nunez and Zack Short led of the charge on offense with Nunez going 2-for-5 with a double and a home run home run while Short went 3-for-4 with a trio of singles. Starter Ricardo Pinto earned the win after grinding his way through six innings of four run ball for Toledo, posting a final line of 6.0 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, and 5 K's. Relievers Angel De Jesus and Will Vest combined for three final innings of shutout ball.

The Mud Hens went quietly to start the game as Clippers starter Brad Peacock retired the side in order. Meanwhile opposite of Peacock, Hens starter Ricardo Pinto got into some hot water early after giving up a walk and a single. Pinto navigated the jam by dialing up an inning ending double play.

Toledo capitalized on a Columbus fielding error that allowed Christin Stewart to reach in the top of the second as a walk by JaCoby Jones advanced him to second. In his first game back with Toledo after being optioned from Detroit, Zack Short drove Stewart in on an RBI single. Pinto faced the minimum three batters in the second inning as a leadoff walk was negated by the second double play in as many innings.

Peacock worked another quick inning in the top of the third, retiring the Hens lineup in order for a second time. A leadoff single came back to haunt Pinto in the bottom of the third, as a longball gave the Clippers a 2-1 lead.

The new Columbus lead wouldn’t last long though as the Mud Hens scored early and often in the fourth after Peacock’s departure. Aderlin Rodriguez led off the inning with a walk before a Christin Stewart single and Yariel Gonzalez walk loaded the bases. JaCoby Jones also walked, scoring Rodriguez and moving everyone up a bag. Zack Short continued to shine in his return to Toledo, singling to center and scoring Stewart. Now leading 3-2, the Hens continued to tack on some runs as Jon Rosoff singled to left, scoring both Gonzalez and Jones. Rosoff would later be thrown out trying to turn the single into a double, giving the Clippers their first out of the inning. Jacob Robson later reached on a fielding error, allowing Renato Nunez to continue to hit parade with a double that scored Short and Robson. Nunez, like Rosoff, would be thrown out trying to advance an extra ninety feet. Kody Clemens recorded a two out single before Columbus finally ended the inning with the Hens now leading 7-2. Pinto allowed a leadoff homer and two out walk in the bottom of the inning that chipped the Hens lead down to 7-3.

The Clippers faced the minimum three batters in the top of the fifth as a Christin Stewart walk was erased on a double play. Columbus charged Pinto with a another run in the bottom of the inning as back to back one out doubles made it 7-4 Hens.

The Mud Hens were limited to a Jon Rosoff walk and stolen base in the top of the sixth before Columbus ended the frame. The Clippers lineup threatened in the bottom of the sixth as back to back singles brought the tying run at the plate. Pinto successfully navigated the inning however, assisted by his defense turning their third double play of the game.

Aderlin Rodriguez hit a double to in the seventh inning, but would ultimately be stranded, keeping the score 7-4 in favor of Toledo. RHP Angel De Jesus entered the game in the bottom of the seventh, closing the book on Pinto’s start. De Jesus would allow a two out double but nothing else as the game went to the eighth.

Zack Short collected his third hit of the night, another single, in the top of the eighth but would be erased on an inning ending double play. De Jesus pitched into the eighth for the Hens, working his way around a leadoff single enroute to anther scoreless frame.

The Mud Hens added a couple of insurance runs in the top of the ninth with Jacob Robson leading off the inning with a hit by pitch. After stealing second base, Robson got to trot into home as Renato Nunez blasted a no doubt home run to left field. Aderlin Rodriguez would later walk in the inning but the Hens would have to settle for two, now leading 9-4. RHP Will Vest entered the game in relief of De Jesus in the bottom of the inning, giving up a double and a walk in an otherwise scoreless outing.

What’s Next: The Mud Hens take on the Clippers again tomorrow in game two of a six game set. First pitch is scheduled for 12:05 p.m.