Kreidler launches homer in loss

TOLEDO – The Toledo Mud Hens were defeated by the Columbus Clippers by a score of 10-3 on Sunday afternoon at Huntington Park in Columbus.

Brenan Hanifee got the start for the Mud Hens, while Jaime Arias picked up the start for the Clippers.

The Hens went down 1-2-3 for a quiet start to the ballgame at the hands of Arias. Tyler Freeman would reach on a hit-by-pitch with one out before being erased on a double play to retire the side.

Arias would once again set the Hens down in order, punctuated with a Donny Sands strikeout. Zack Collins would open the inning with a leadoff single before Hanifee would strand him at first.

Arias would spurn the Mud Hens in the third, retiring the first nine Hens hitters of the game. Hanifee would however allow a leadoff single to David Fry, then with two outs, Tyler Freeman would single and steal second, allowing Bo Naylor to hit a two-run single to put the Clippers on top 2-0.

Parker Meadows opened the fourth inning with a leadoff single, becoming the first Hen to reach base. Zack Short would follow with a walk before Ryan Kreidler would crush a three-run blast into the trees in centerfield to put the Hens up 3-2. Arias would retire the next two batters to finish his outing. Arias finished his day with 4.0 innings pitched, allowing three runs on two hits (one home run), one walk and two strikeouts.

Hanifee would allow a leadoff single to Micah Pries in the fourth inning before inducing a double play and striking out Fry to end the inning and his outing. Hanifee finished with 4.0 innings pitched, allowing two runs on six hits with three strikeouts.

Thomas Ponticelli would be the first pitcher out of the Columbus bullpen. Ponticelli would retire the side seamlessly on eight pitches. Jace Fry would appear first from the Hen Pen, hitting Chris Roller to start the inning, then allowed a single to Richie Palacios before picking the latter off at first base for the first out. Fry’s other two outs would be courtesy of a spectacular throw to the plate by Brendan Davis to double up Roller at the plate.

Ponticelli would remain in the game for the Clippers in the sixth inning, allowing a double to Justyn-Henry Malloy to extend his hitting streak to 15 games, while also walking Kreidler. Ponticelli would strikeout Andy Ibanez to end his night, finishing his outing with 2.0 innings pitched, allowing one hit, one walk and two strikeouts. Ponticelli would also be awarded the win, improving his record to 1-2.

Jace Fry would come back out to begin the sixth for the Hens, Fry allowed a leadoff single to Naylor and back-to-back walks to Brayan Rocchio and Pries. That would be the end of the line for Fry, as Aneurys Zabala would replace Fry on the bump. Zabala would issue a bases loaded walk to Jhonkensy Noel, followed by a three-run double by Roller which put the Clippers up 6-3. Zabala would strikeout Palacios to end the inning. Jace Fry’s final line would be 1.1 innings pitched, allowing three runs on two hits and two walks. Fry would be given the loss, dropping is record to 1-1 on the season.

Jhon Romero would be next to pitch for the Clippers in the seventh inning, retiring the side on just five pitches. Zabala would start the seventh for the Mud Hens. Zabala allowed two walks and a stolen base before allowing a RBI double to Rocchio. After retiring the next batter, Zabala would get removed in favor of Andrew Magno. Magno’s first pitch was sent right back into the seats by Noel for a three-run home run, pushing the Clippers’ lead to 10-3, which would be the final mark on the scoreboard. Magno would allow a double to David Fry before retiring Roller to end the inning. Zabala’s final line would be 1.1 innings pitched, allowing four runs on two hits, three walks and three strikeouts. Zabala would be awarded a blown save, his first of the season.

Romero would remain in the game for the eighth, once again retiring the side in order. Romero would be awarded his first hold of the season for his efforts, finishing the day with 2.0 innings pitched and two strikeouts.

Magno would finish the game for the Mud Hens, allowing a one-out walk to Freeman, before once again stranding him once more. Magno would finish the day with 1.1 innings pitched, allowing one run on two hits (one home run), one walk and one strikeout.

Michael Kelly would be the final pitcher of the game for the Clippers. The Hens did not go down without a fight after Malloy and Kreidler opened up the ninth inning with back-to-back singles. Kelly would however relax and retire the next three batters to end the game. Kelly’s final line was 1.0 inning pitched, allowing two hits and two strikeouts.

NOTABLES:

• Ryan Kreidler: 2-3, HR, 3 RBI, R, BB
• Justyn-Henry Malloy: 2-4, 2B
• Brenan Hanifee: 4.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 K
• Jace Fry: L, 1.1 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB

The Mud Hens return home on Tuesday, April 25, 2023 to play host to the Syracuse Mets for a six-game series at Fifth Third Field. First pitch of game one will be at 6:05 pm EST.