Bullpen and late inning offense fuels Hens in win

Toledo, Ohio – The Toledo Mud Hens closed out a two week road trip on a high note this evening as they secured a 4-1 victory over the Memphis Redbirds. The Mud Hen’s bullpen shined in the win with Alex Lange, Miguel Del Pozo, Wladimir Pinto, Angel De Jesus, and Drew Carlton combining for 7 scoreless innings in relief. The Hens also benefited from some clutch late inning hitting, scoring four unanswered runs in the seventh, eighth, and ninth innings that ended up being the difference in today’s contest.

The Mud Hens offense would be limited to a one out single by Kody Clemens in the top of the first. Quickly bringing out Hens starter RHP Beau Burrows, who was making his first start of the season. A converted reliever after spending the majority of his career as a starter, Burrows made his major league debut in 2020 coming out of the bullpen for the Tigers. Burrows seemed to accept the change well as the Hens have used him in a similar fashion in the 2021 season. Burrows would pitch a clean first inning, navigating around a leadoff single who advanced all the way to third.

Much like the first inning, the Mud Hens went relatively quietly in the top of the second, the lone baserunner coming courtesy a Juan Centeno single. Coming back to work the bottom of the second, Burrows would surrender a solo homer and walk in the inning but limited the Redbirds damage to just the one run. The inning would prove to be Burrows last as the game was a scheduled opener start.

Trailing 1-0 early, the Mud Hens fell in order in the top of the third. RHP Alex Lange entered the game in the bottom of the third for the Hens, as the game looked like it was doing to be a duel of the bullpens with Memphis was also utilizing an opener as well. Lange pitched a scoreless inning as he worked around a leadoff single.

Still looking to get their first runs of game, Yariel Gonzalez would leg out an infield single in the bottom of the fourth but ultimately would be stranded as Memphis escaped the frame. Lange came out to start the bottom of the fourth, giving up a quick leadoff single but quickly corrected the mistake on a double play ball to third. LHP Miguel Del Pozo then entered the game tasked with ending the fourth inning. Del Pozo would do just that, needing just three pitches to retire the last batter.

The Mud Hens offense would be limited to a Cole Peterson walk in the top of the fifth but again were unable to bring him around to score. RHP Wladimir Pinto came on in relief of Del Pozo in the bottom of the fifth, pitching a very quick 1-2-3 inning.

Leading off in the top of the sixth, Daz Cameron ripped a double in the right field corner before a four pitch walk to Kody Clemens put two on with nobody out. Memphis then struck out the next three consecutive batters, effectively ending the scoring threat for Toledo. Returning for the bottom of the sixth, Pinto recorded his second 1-2-3 inning of the night, this time assisted by a double play.

Leading off the top of the seventh with a walk, Aderlin Rodriguez was quickly followed up by a Juan Centeno line drive single, putting two runners on with nobody out for the second consecutive inning for the Hens. Rodriguez stole third, putting runners at the corners, before Chris Proctor singled to left and tied the game 1-1. While the Redbirds limited the damage to one, it was a whole new game for the Hens. RHP Angel De Jesus entered the game in the bottom of the seventh where the hard throwing righty would work a scoreless inning.

Now tied 1-1, the Mud Hens were now tasked with going ahead for the first time in the game. Renato Nunez would lead off the inning with a walk and Christin Stewart would drop a single into right field, putting two batters on with one out. A wild pitch further advanced both runners before a walk loaded the bases anyways. A Juan Centeno single, his third hit of the game, provided the Hens with their first lead as Nunez came into score. The Hens weren’t done yet though as a long sacrifice fly by Cole Peterson gave the team a two run lead, 3-1. RHP Drew Carlton then came into pitch the bottom of the eighth as he tried to protect the Hens lead. Carlton would do just that, throwing a 1-2-3 inning.

Leading 3-1 but looking for more, Daz Cameron led off the top of the ninth with an infield single before stealing second and advancing to third in errant throw to second. Renato Nunez later beat the shift with an RBI single to second, scoring Cameron and extending the Mud Hens lead to 4-1. After an impressive showing in the eighth, Carlton came out to face the Redbirds in the bottom on the ninth. Carlton weaved his way around a one out double and secured the 4-1 win.

What’s Next: The Mud Hens return home to take on the Louisville Bats in a six game series. Game one is set for Tuesday at 7:05 p.m.