Rodriguez strikes out seven in win vs Omaha

The Mud Hens came into today’s game, winning four out the first five games of their home stand against the Omaha Storm Chasers. RHP Elvin Rodriguez made his 15th start of the season (16th appearance). In the last three games, Rodriguez had allowed at least three runs, and looked to end that slump today. RHP Jackson Kowar would be his opposer, as Kowar looked to get Omaha back in the winning column.

RHP Elvin Rodriguez would start hot on the mound, striking out the side in the first inning. The offense would get the runs going for the Hens in the second, as Chris Rabago drove in his sixth RBI of the year. Zack Short was credited with the run, after drawing a walk earlier in the inning. Rabago’s RBI single gave the Hens an early 1-0 lead. In the top of the third, the Omaha Storm Chasers would load the bases, however RHP Elvin Rodriguez would leave them full, giving him his third straight shutout inning of the ballgame.

In the bottom half of the third, Josh Lester would hit his 21st home run of the year, extending Toledo’s lead to a 2-0 score. Lester also had a home run in last night’s game. He currently leads the team in homers, along with RBIs on the season (73).

The offense on both sides would remain quiet all the way through the sixth inning. RHP Elvin Rodriguez would finish his start, going six strong innings. He only allowed two hits, no runs, two walks, and struck out seven Storm Chasers. RHP Miguel Diaz would pick up where Rodriguez left off, obtaining a strong inning for himself in the seventh, retiring the side in order.

The Storm Chasers would get a run in the eighth, hitting a solo shot in the left off RHP Angel De Jesus. The Mud Hens still had six more outs to retire in order to win the game. De Jesus would respond well, striking out the next three batters. The Mud Hens would get a single in the bottom half of the eighth off the bat of Austin Meadows (MLB Rehab – Detroit), but the rest would retire, and it was up to RHP Nick Vincent to close the game, in which he would retire the side, 1-2-3.

The Mud Hens took game six of the series, with a score of 2-1. RHP Elvin Rodriguez earned his fifth winning decision of the year, along with RHP Nick Vincent recording his first save. The Mud Hens won five out of their six games during this homestand with three walk-off wins in the series (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday).

NOTABLE BATTER:

Josh Lester: 1-4, HR, RBI, R

NOTABLE PITCHER:

RHP Elvin Rodriguez: GS, W, 6.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 7 K

RHP Angel De Jesus: 1.0 IP, H, R, ER, 0 BB, 3 K, HR

NEXT UP: The Mud Hens will head to Columbus, beginning another series with the Columbus Clippers. The Mud Hens tallied a walk-off win against the Clippers in their last contest. However, the Clippers hold a 7-2 record over the Hens this season, and the Hens will look to tally their first series win over Columbus. First pitch will begin on Tuesday, August 16th, at 7:05pm ET.