LOUISVILLE, Kentucky – The Toledo Mud Hens defeated the Louisville Bats on Tuesday night at Louisville Slugger Field in a 2-1 win.
The Mud Hens got on the board right away, thanks to a leadoff homer from Daz Cameron to center field on the second pitch of the game. Yariel Gonzalez also singled to extend his hitting streak to eight games, the longest current streak on the team. In the bottom half of the inning, right handed starter Wily Peralta issued a one-out walk, but a 4-6-3 double play got Peralta through the first with only nine pitches thrown.
In the bottom of the second, the Bats had something brewing after a leadoff walk and a bunt single to beat the shift. Looking for a ground ball, Peralta got just that and once again, the Mud Hens infield turned it, leaving a runner at third with two outs now. Another ground ball, this time fielded by first baseman Aderlin Rodriguez, got the Hens out of the inning, still leading 1-0.
Walks to JaCoby Jones and Isaac Paredes in the third brought up Gonzalez with one out. A sharply hit line drive to center ended up being caught and a baserunning error from Jones resulted in him being doubled up at second to end the inning.
Aderlin Rodriguez continued to stay hot at the dish with a leadoff double to start the fourth inning. Zack Short followed it with a walk, putting two on with no outs. They would unfortunately be stranded there as the Mud Hens would fail to advance or score either runner, still holding onto a one run lead.
Yariel Gonzalez tallied his second hit of the night to start the sixth inning. Like any other threat though so far, pitching trumped hitting and the game remained 1-0.
Wily Peralta exited after five phenomenal, scoreless innings, giving up only two hits and striking out four. Southpaw Miguel Del Pozo took over for him in the sixth and after issuing a walk, worked a scoreless frame. Del Pozo returned to pitch the seventh and quickly recorded two ground ball outs. He then hit Beau Taylor on the hand with a fastball, but bounced back with a strikeout.
Right-handed reliever Drew Carlton looked to continue the shutout as he came on to pitch the eighth inning. After allowing a walk, he induced a ground ball and the Mud Hens defense turned their third double play of the night.
Shortstop Cole Peterson doubled down the left field line in the ninth, looking to score a much-needed insurance run for Toledo. He then advanced to third on a wild pitch with one out. With the infield in, Juan Centeno bounced a ball to short. Peterson took off for home and on a very controversial call was called safe at the plate to give the Hens a 2-0 lead.
Drew Carlton returned for the ninth, looking to earn his first save of the season for the Hens. After going full to the leadoff hitter, Mike Freeman singled to center, bringing the tying run to the plate. Cheslor Cuthbert followed it with an opposite field single, now bringing the winning run to the plate with nobody out. A flyout to left fielder Daz Cameron put the Hens two outs away from their first shutout win of the year. Alfredo Rodriguez had other plans however, blooping a single into center to make it 2-1 with two on and only one out still. A great throw from Juan Centeno nailed pinch-runner Errol Robinson as he attempted to steal third. Carlton proceeded to throw a beautiful breaking ball and got a swing and a miss to end it as the Hens held on to win, 2-1.
What’s Next:
The Toledo Mud Hens and Louisville Bats play game two of the series tomorrow at Louisville Slugger Field at 6:30 p.m.
Hens Notes:
- Yariel Gonzalez recorded two more hits, extending his hitting streak to eight straight.
- Wily Peralta threw five scoreless innings and now has scoreless outings in three of his four starts this season. He also earned his first win of the year.
- Daz Cameron notched his first three-hit game of the season, including his first home run.
- The Mud Hens infield turned three double plays tonight to help keep the Bats off the board.
- Drew Carlton pitched the eighth and ninth and earned his first save of the season.