Righty Pedro Payano made his fourth appearance and third start of the season for Toledo. He pitched in Columbus earlier this month and was roughed up for six runs in 4.1 innings, but was much better last week versus Memphis, throwing six innings and allowing two runs.
The Clippers wasted no time getting on the board in this one. With one out, Gabriel Arias hit an opposite-field single down the right field line. Clean-up man Owen Miller then ripped a line-drive double past Aderlin Rodriguez at third base that scored Arias and gave Columbus an early 1-0 lead.
The Mud Hens offense got going in the third. After singles from Cole Peterson and Derek Hill, Jacob Robson laid down a bunt single and Peterson hustled home on an error by the Clippers’ first baseman. With runners at the corners and no outs, Robson attempted a steal of second, but was gunned down. On the same play, Hill broke for home and was thrown out. Just like that, Columbus recorded two outs on one play and the bases were empty. That brought up Isaac Paredes who hit a solo shot to left that was originally ruled a double, but was correctly changed to a home run, giving Toledo a 2-1 lead.
In the bottom of the fourth, the Hens added to their lead. Rodriguez ripped his team-high 12th home run of the season off of the screen beyond the left field fence, extending the lead to two runs.
In the fifth, Toledo scored for the third straight inning. Dylan Rosa, who came in for Hill, was hit by a pitch to start the frame. Robson proceeded to walk. Paredes and Nunez then hit back-to-back singles to score Rosa and Robson. Christin Stewart then walked to load the bases. Rodriguez hit into a fielder’s choice that scored Paredes, extending the lead to 6-1. The Hens wouldn’t score any more in the inning, but sent nine men to the plate in their biggest inning of the night.
After not allowing a run from the second to the fifth inning, Payano found himself in some trouble in the sixth. A triple, followed by a walk, followed by another triple plated two runs for the Clippers and knocked him out of the game. Right-hander Nolan Blackwood entered with one out and a runner on third. Pitching for a strikeout, Blackwood was successful, punching out both Call and Brooks to end the Clippers threat. Payano’s final line would be 5.1 innings, seven hits, three runs, one walk, and five strikeouts.
The Mud Hens responded in the bottom of the sixth, thanks to a solo home run to right field off the bat of Robson. This was the third Toledo home run of the night, all of which were solo blasts.
Righty Erasmo Ramirez pitched the seventh and eighth innings out of the Hen-pen and was fantastic. He did not allow a single hit and struck out five of the seven hitters he faced. Lefty Ian Krol got the ninth with the Mud Hens leading 7-3, looking to shut the door. After a leadoff hit, Krol got a flyout and a double play ball to end it.
What’s Next:
The Toledo Mud Hens and Columbus Clippers play game two of the series on Wednesday night at Fifth Third Field with the first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
Hens Notes:
- Infielder Aderlin Rodriguez now leads the team in home runs with 12.
- Righty Pedro Payano earned his first win of the season for the Mud Hens.