The Mud Hens trotted out likely their best lineup of the season to face the Indians. Derek Hill and Akil Baddoo, both on MLB rehab, hit first and third in the order, respectively. Riley Greene (Tigers #2 prospect), Spencer Torkelson (Tigers #1 prospect), and Ryan Kreidler (Tigers #19) all started for the second consecutive night as well.
Starting on the bump for Toledo was left-hander Matthew Boyd, who was making the second start of his major league rehab. He threw 43 pitches in his three scoreless innings, allowing only two hits and striking out four. Righty Alex Lange was the one to relieve Boyd. He threw 1.2 scoreless innings, allowing a hit and a walk while punching out one.
Torkelson recorded the first Triple-A hit of his career with one out in the second, a triple to right field. After Rodriguez walked, Christin Stewart grounded into a fielder’s choice, bringing in Torkelson to make it 1-0 Toledo.
In the bottom of the fourth, it was once again Tork starting the rally. He singled with one out and Christin Stewart followed it with a towering drive to right field that left the yard for a two-run homer, making it 3-0 Mud Hens.
In the sixth, Torkelson reached via an error with one out. Kody Clemens then walked before Stewart into a fielder’s choice to put men at the corners. With two outs, Kreidler delivered a big two-run double into the left field corner to make it 5-0.
Right-hander Will Vest was called on after Lange exited. Vest went 1.1 innings and retired the four batters he faced in a row. From there, Angel De Jesus entered in the seventh and recorded a perfect 1-2-3 inning that featured one strikeout. Entering as the fifth pitcher of the night for Toledo was Jason Foley in the eighth. He issued a one-out walk, but started a 1-4-3 inning-ending double play en route to a scoreless inning.
Kreidler, with two RBI in the game already, was not done. He crushed a solo home run to right-center field, his second home run in two days.
Pitching with a six-run lead, southpaw Miguel Del Pozo got the call for the ninth, looking to nail down this one. He struck out the side in a quick and easy inning to give the Mud Hens a 2-0 series start.
What’s Next:
The Toledo Mud Hens and Indianapolis Indians meet again Thursday night at Fifth Third Field with the first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
Hens Notes:
- INF Spencer Torkelson recorded his first Triple-A hit, a triple, in the second inning. He also singled and scored three times.
- LHP Matthew Boyd exited after three innings of two-hit ball. He has now pitched five scoreless innings during his rehab with Toledo.
- OF Christin Stewart slugged his 20th home run of the season.
- The shutout win is the seventh of the year for the Hens.