Mud Hens combine for three-hit shutout

INDIANAPOLIS - The Toledo Mud Hens continued their winning ways in the first of four games between the West Division's top two clubs, blanking the Indianapolis Indians 4-0 on Monday at Victory Field.

Jacob Turner shined in his first start with the Mud Hens (39-23) in nearly six years, striking out four in three shutout innings, scattering a hit and two walks. Phillipe Aumont was credited with his second win of the season after fanning three in two perfect innings of work, while Victor Alcántara also punched out three over two scoreless frames, allowing a pair of hits and a walk. Toledo's bullpen continued to keep Indianapolis (32-29) off the board, as Zac Houston hurled a 1-2-3 eighth before Johnny Barbato sent his former team down in order in the ninth to wrap up the contest.
Ronny Rodríguez was one of three Toledo batters to record multiple hits, going 2-for-4 with a triple and a run scored. Dawel Lugo finished 2-for-4 with a pair of singles, an RBI, and a run scored, while Mikie Mahtook went 2-for-4 with two singles and an RBI.
The Mud Hens started the scoring with a run in the top of the opening stanza. Rodriguez sent the first pitch he faced off the left-field wall for a leadoff triple, and eventually scored when Jim Adduci grounded a two-out single to short to stake the visitors to a 1-0 lead.
Toledo tacked on another run to double its advantage in the third. After Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Rodriguez began the inning with back-to-back singles, Lugo ripped a base hit into center to plate Saltalamacchia and give the Mud Hens a 2-0 edge.
The Mud Hens continued to frustrate Indianapolis, tacking on a pair of insurance runs in the sixth to put the game out of reach. Lugo and Adduci consecutive one-out singles to put runners on the corners, prompting the Indians to yank starting pitcher Alex McRae in favor of Johnny Hellweg. Mahtook then grounded into a fielder's choice to choice to third that brought in Lugo and opened up a 3-0 cushion.
A fourth run arrived with the bases loaded and two down, as Hellweg was called for a balk when he appeared to lose his footing on the mound, allowing Mahtook to advance 90 feet to home plate. Winners in two straight, the Mud Hens own a 6.5 game lead over Indianapolis atop the West Division standings.
What's Next:
The Mud Hens remain in Indianapolis on Tuesday for game two of their four-game set against the Indians. First pitch from Victory Field is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
#RoadToDetroit Report (rankings according to 2018 MLB.com Prospect Watch):
10. OF Christin Stewart: 0-for-3, walk
11. OF Mike Gerber: DNP
12. IF Dawel Lugo: 2-for-4, two singles, RBI, run
15. RHP Grayson Long: DNP (DL)
16. RHP Bryan Garcia: DNP (DL)
18. LHP Tyler Alexander: DNP
Hens Notes:
• Turner made his first start for the Mud Hens since July 7, 2012, when he pitched a three-hit shutout in Toledo's 2-0 win at Louisville. The 27-year-old was picked ninth overall by Detroit in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft.
• The Mud Hens have used 18 different starting pitchers this season.
• Aumont is one of 13 Mud Hens pitchers to tally two or more wins during the 2018 campaign.
• The Mud Hens have blanked an opponent seven times this season, and remain the only team in the IL to score in all of their games this year.
• Toledo holds a 28-7 record when scoring the game's first run.
• With a leadoff triple in the first inning, Rodriguez grabbed sole possession of the IL lead with 118 total bases. Stewart ranks second with 115 total bases.