Hens turn focus to Governors' Cup Playoffs
COLUMBUS, Ohio - The West Division-champion Toledo Mud Hens can turn their attention to the 2018 Governors' Cup Playoffs after dropping the regular season finale to the Columbus Clippers by an 8-1 count on Monday at Huntington Park.
COLUMBUS, Ohio - The West Division-champion Toledo Mud Hens can turn their attention to the 2018 Governors' Cup Playoffs after dropping the regular season finale to the Columbus Clippers by an 8-1 count on Monday at Huntington Park.
A day after securing their first postseason berth since 2007, the Mud Hens (73-66) recorded hits in every inning except the opening frame, but Columbus (73-67) posted five home runs in the regular season finale.
After leaving the bases loaded in the bottom of the second, Columbus knocked in the game's first run an inning later.
The Clippers added to their advantage in the last of the fourth. Columbus loaded the bases with two outs for Donaldson, who hit a grand slam over the center-field wall to open up a 5-0 cushion. Recently acquired by Cleveland from Toronto, Donaldson's rehab assignment ended after six innings when he was replaced by
Columbus tacked on another run in the bottom of the sixth, as
The Mud Hens spoiled the Clippers' shutout bid in the top of the eighth. Saltalamacchia doubled into right-center, advancing to third on a Jacob Robson groundout. Two batters later,
What's Next:
The Mud Hens and South Division-winning Durham will stage Games 1 and 2 of the Governors' Cup Semifinals on Wednesday and Thursday at Fifth Third Field. Both games are scheduled to start at 6:35 p.m.
GAME 1: Wednesday, Sept. 5 at 6:35 p.m. vs. Durham Bulls: BUY TICKETS! (GAME A)
GAME 2: Thursday, Sept. 6 at 6:35 vs. Durham Bulls: BUY TICKETS! (GAME B)
#RoadToDetroit Report (rankings according to MLB.com 2018 Prospect Watch):
6. OF
8. OF
9. RHP
10. IF Willi Castro: 3-for-4, three singles
16. OF Jacob Robson: 1-for-3, single
20. RHP
21. LHP
22. LHP Tyler Alexander: (ND) 3.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO
26. OF
Hens Notes:
• The International League on Tuesday announced Christin Stewart has been selected to the 2018 IL Postseason All-Star Team. In 122 starts with the Mud Hens, Stewart slashed .264/.364/.480 and led the Mud Hens with 23 home runs, 77 RBI, 213 total bases, 67 walks and 69 runs.
• Manager Doug Mientkiewicz has reached the postseason for the fifth time in six years managing at the minor league level. He won back-to-back titles with High-A Fort Myers in 2014 and Double-A Chattanooga in 2015.
• The Mud Hens finished 4-6 against Durham in the regular season series, though Toledo won all three meetings at Fifth Third Field.
• The upcoming series between the Mud Hens and Bulls marks the third time the clubs have met in the Governors' Cup Semifinals. Durham secured three-game sweeps over Toledo in 2002 and 2007.