Toledo, Ohio – The Toledo Mud Hens recorded their second consecutive shutout and third straight win tonight in a 7-0 victory over the Memphis Redbirds. RHP Logan Shore pitched a gem of game for the Hens, going 6.1 innings before the bullpen carried the team of the rest of the way. Aderlin Rodriguez paved the way on offense, hitting two homers and driving in five.
The Mud Hens opened the game by going quietly in the top of the first, with the exception of a two out walk to second baseman Isaac Paredes. RHP Logan Shore would then took the mound for the Hens in the bottom of the first, where he would retire the Redbirds in order thanks to an inning ending double play.
Designated hitter Renato Nunez would lead off the second inning with a long homerun to right centerfield, giving the Hens a 1-0 lead. That was all the offense the Hens had in the inning however, as they settled for the one run. Returning to the mound for the bottom of the second, Shore continued to pitch well, sitting down the Redbirds hitters in order.
The Mud Hens would be retired quickly in the top of the third inning, unable to put a man on base as Redbirds starter Zack Thompson started to hit his stride. Opposite of him, Shore would continue to work quickly in the bottom of third inning, pitching another scoreless inning despite giving up his second base hit of the game.
Looking to extend their lead in the top of the fourth, third baseman Yariel Gonzalez led off the inning with a single to left, extending the slugger’s hitting streak to 14 games. However, Gonzalez would quickly be nullified on the basepaths as the Redbirds turned a double play to end the inning. Shore continued to deal in the bottom of the fourth, pitching yet another 1-2-3 inning, preserving the 1-0 Toledo lead.
First baseman Aderlin Rodriguez led off the top of the fifth with hard hit single to second base. A smashed ball by left fielder Christin Stewart would score Rodriguez as Stewart cruised into third with a standup triple. A walk to catcher Brady Policelli would put runners at the corners with nobody out. However, the Memphis defense would wiggle out of the jam via a fielder’s choice that erased Stewart and double play that ended the inning. Now working with a 2-0 lead and showing no signs of giving it up, Shore pitched another 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the fifth, assisted by runner caught stealing.
Still looking for more insurance runs, center fielder Jacoby Jones led off the top of the sixth with a standup double to left field. Jones would later advance to third on a groundout before the Redbirds escaped the inning. Continuing to pitch incredibly efficiently, Shore worked a quick scoreless inning in the bottom of the sixth.
Leading off the top of the seventh, Aderlin Rodriguez ripped a line drive solo shot over the left field wall, extending the Mud Hens lead to 3-0. This would prove to be the only offense of the inning for the Hens as Shore came out to start the bottom of the seventh. After recording a quick out, a bloop single ended the night for the righty. RHP Bryan Garcia then entered the game looking to continue Shore’s shutout. A wild pitch advanced the runner to second but that was all the Redbirds could muster before the Mud Hens defense successfully navigated the inning.
Right fielder Daz Cameron led off the top of the eighth by reaching on a hit by pitch before a walk to Isaac Paredes put two on. Yariel Gonzalez later loaded the bases with a walk of his own. Aderlin Rodriguez would not squander the RBI opportunity, hitting his second homerun of the night and blowing the game wide open for the Hens. Garcia came back to pitch in the bottom of the eighth, now with noticeably less pressure with Toledo leading 7-0. Garcia would surrender a double in the inning while recording two outs before RHP Buck Farmer came in to put the finishing touches on the eighth. Farmer would do just that, striking out the one batter he faced in the frame.
The Mud Hens went quietly in the top of the ninth, falling in order, but at this point the game looked to be over. Trying to preserve the shutout, Buck Farmer returned to the mound for the Hens. Farmer ended the ninth quickly, giving up no hits and no runs as the Hens secured their 12th win of the season.
What’s Next: The Toledo Mud Hens take on the Memphis Redbirds again tomorrow in a doubleheader to account for game one’s postponement. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m.