The Mud Hens offense started the game quietly, falling victim to Milwaukee Brewers number seven ranked prospect, Aaron Ashby. Ashby struck out the side on just 10 pitches, all strikes. Making his first start since June 8th, RHP Logan Shore matched Ashby in the top of the first, retiring the Sounds in order.
Ashby continued to work quickly in the top of the second, retiring the Hens in order with a pair of strikeouts to boot. Not to be out done, Shore continued to impress in his first start since coming off the injured list, throwing another 1-2-3 inning.
Toledo got the first baserunner of the game in the top of the third via a Juan Centeno walk. Despite a series of miscues that advanced Centeno to third base, the run would ultimately remain stranded. Shore continued to mow down the sounds in the third, recording another perfect inning.
Ashby continued the pitchers duel in the top of the fourth, sitting down the first three Hens faced. Shore easily navigated the Nashville lineup in the bottom of the fourth, inducing three weakly hit balls to end the frame.
The Mud Hens got the first hit of the game in the top of the fifth as JaCoby Jones singled to right field. Jones would later be erased on a double play ball, however, keeping the game knotted at 0-0. Shore retired the first batter he faced in the bottom of the fifth before manager Tom Prince went to the bullpen. RHP Angel De Jesus allowed Nashville’s first batter to reach, hitting a batter and ending the perfect game. De Jesus pitched an otherwise clean inning as the game went to the sixth.
Ashby continued to cruise in the top of the sixth, retiring the Hens in order. Continuing to pitch in the bottom of the sixth, De Jesus worked his way around a leadoff walk as he kept the no hitter intact.
The Hens broke into the Nashville bullpen in the top of the seventh but would be limited to an Aderlin Rodriguez walk. De Jesus continued to pitch into the seventh but quickly got himself into some hot water after hitting his second batter of the night and walking another. The drama led to RHP Bryan Garcia getting the call from the bullpen. Garcia had a rough inning as a double quickly ended the no hitter, shut out, and gave the Sounds the lead. A wild pitch later extended the Nashville lead, 2-0.
JaCoby Jones picked up his second hit of the night in the top of the eight but would be stranded as the Nashville bullpen navigated the inning. The wheels continued to fall off for Garcia in the bottom of the eighth as the first five batters he faced all reached, scoring three. LHP Robbie Ross then entered the game to try and escape the jam, allowing the first two batter he faced to reach, scoring another run, before getting the innings first out. An RBI groundout, double, and single later, the Hens found themselves trailing 10-0 after no hitting the Sounds just the inning prior. Still not out of the inning, the Hens turned to backup catcher Jon Rosoff to secure to innings last out. The Sounds continued to tee off, scoring two more runs before Rosoff ended the inning.
With a mountainous 12-0 deficit looming in the top of the ninth, the Hens were retied in order, securing a shutout victory for Nashville.
What’s Next: The Mud Hens continue their series with the Nashville Sounds tomorrow. First pitch is scheduled for 8:05 p.m.