Toledo, Ohio – The Mud Hens lost a close one tonight falling by a score of 5-4. RHP Jose Urena started the game for the Hens, throwing two scoreless inning. Mark Leiter Jr. would then pitch the next 4.2 innings, giving up two earned runs. On offense, Ryan Kreidler extended his team leading hit streak to three games while Kody Clemens and JaCoby Jones both collected multi-hit games. Riley Greene and Christin Stewart both had key triples in the loss.
Making his second rehab start of the season as he works his back from a groin injury, RHP Jose Urena got the start for the Hens. Urena threw a perfect first inning making quick work of the Indy lineup. Indians starter Beau Sulser also worked a 1-2-3 first inning as the game remained knotted at 0-0.
Urena worked another scoreless inning in the top of the second, making his way around a leadoff walk. Looking like a pitching duel early on, Sulser pitched another 1-2-3 inning.
RHP Mark Leiter Jr. took over for Urena to start the third inning as the Hens remained cautious with Urena’s pitch count. Leiter, a starter for most of the season, continued right where Urena left off, throwing a perfect inning to keep Indianapolis off the board. Toledo threatened often in the bottom of the third as a Ryan Kreidler single and Jon Rosoff walk put two on for the rehabbing Akil Badoo. Baddoo roped a double down the left field line, scoring Kreidler. An Isaac Paredes walk loaded the bases with only one out before an inning ending double play forced the Hens to settle for just the one run.
Leading 1-0, Leiter would surrender a one out walk but nothing more as he continued the shutout. Riley Greene led off the bottom of the fourth by displaying some of the pop that makes him Major League Baseball’s number seven overall prospect, sending a standup triple to right center field. Kody Clemens would later drive in Greene with a sharp line drive to left. JaCoby Jones would also single in the inning, advancing Clemens to second. A fly out and wild pitch would allow Clemens to score, extending the lead to 3-0.
The New and improved lead would not last long however, as the Indy bats struck back in the top of the fifth. A solo home run, trio of singles, and an error quickly evened the score at three apiece as the Indians ambushed Leiter. The Hens would be limited to an Isaac Paredes walk in the bottom of the inning as Sulser kept the Hens bats in check.
Leiter bounced back in the top of the sixth, working a quick 1-2-3 inning. Breaking into the Indianapolis bullpen, the Hens would be limited to a JaCoby Jones double as the rest of the lineup was retired via the punchout.
The Indians added a pair of runs in the top of the seventh as a leadoff solo home run gave Indy their first lead of the game. The inning was furthered by a two out fielding error followed by a walk and a single, scoring another run. RHP Bryan Garcia entered the game tasked with getting the final out. Garcia would surrender a walk to load the bases before getting an inning an inning ending strikeout. The Mud Hens would fall in order in the bottom of the seventh as the Indy bullpen struck out the side for the second consecutive inning.
The Indians threatened in the top of the eighth as a walk and pair of throwing errors by Aderlin Rodriguez loaded the bases. Garcia was able to leave the bases loaded though, keeping the score 5-3 in favor of the Indians. Toledo was retired in order in the bottom of the eighth as Indianapolis maintained a two run lead.
RHP Jason Foley entered the game to pitch the ninth for the Hens, allowing a one out walk but nothing else in his outing. With their backs against the wall, the Hens fought back with all they had. Kody Clemens led off the inning with a single but was quickly erased on a double play. The Hens weren’t done there though as Ryan Kreidler scorched a double to left field. Pinch hitting for Jon Rosoff, Christin Stewart lined a triple off the left field wall, scoring Kreidler. Back to back walks by Akil Baddoo and Isaac Paredes loaded the bases for the Hens but an inning ending strikeout closed the possibilities of a Toeldo comeback.
What’s Next: The Mud Hens take on the Indians again tomorrow in the series finale. First pitch is scheduled for 4:05 p.m.