Toledo, Ohio – The Mud Hens slugged their way to a 7-2 victory in game one of a double header against the Omaha Storm Chasers. Spencer Torkelson and Riley Greene led the way on offense with Torkelson recording his first multi-homer game at Triple-A. Greene also had a multi-hit performance including a ground rule double and bases clearing triple. Starter Logan Shore also shined in the win posting a final line of 5.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, and 6 K.
Top prospects Riley Greene and Spencer Torkelson gave the Hens an early lead in the top of the first as Greene launched a one out ground rule double into the right centerfield gap. Torkelson would then launch a massive two run bomb to left field to score Greene. RHP Logan Shore would work a scoreless bottom of the first, working his way around a one out double by Royals prospect Bobby Witt Jr.
The Hens would be limited to a two out walk by Ryan Kreidler in the top of the second in a scoreless frame. The Storm Chasers would take back a run in the bottom of the inning, as a leadoff triple came into score on a sacrifice fly. Omaha continued to threaten as a single put the go ahead run at the plate, but an inning ending double play kept the score 2-1 in favor of Toledo.
For the first time of the game, Omaha retired the Hens in order to start the third as the game kept moving a prompt pace. Shore would work around a double by Bobby Witt Jr. yet again in the bottom of third in another scoreless inning.
Aderlin Rodriguez ripped a double into the left field corner in the top of the fourth but would ultimately be stranded as Omaha kept the score 2-1. Shore worked his first 1-2-3 inning of the game in the bottom of the fourth, notching his third strikeout of the night in the process.
The Hens would be limited to a one out walk by Grayson Greiner in the top of the fifth in an otherwise clean inning by Omaha. Continuing to get better as the game went on, Shore struck out the side in the bottom of the inning.
Spencer Torkelson continued to bring the thunder to the Storm Chasers, leading off the top of the sixth with a home run to left field. Besides making it his second homer of night, Tork’s blast further made history as the first overall pick now has multi-homer games at three different levels in 2021. Kody Clemens would single later in the inning but would be left on base. The new 3-1 Toledo lead would quickly get chipped down to 3-2 as Shore was pulled from the game after allowing a leadoff single to Bobby Witt Jr. LHP Locke St. John entered from the pen, as Witt Jr. was quickly caught stealing. St. John got into some hot water though, allowing a walk, double, and another walk as a run scored.
The Hens offense exploded in the top of the seventh as a single by Ryan Krediler and pair of walks by Grayson Greiner and Daz Cameron quickly loaded the bases. Riley Greene didn’t miss a beat, lining a triple into the right centerfield gap to clear the bases. Greene himself would come in to score on a Kody Clemens sacrifice fly later in the inning. Isaac Paredes would walk with two outs but would be left on base. Settling in, St. John threw a 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the seventh, securing the game one win.
Game Two:
Toledo, Ohio – The Mud Hens dropped game two of double header with the Omaha Storm Chasers by a score of 4-3. With the double header split the Hens remain one game up over the Chasers in the race for first place. Noteworthy performances in the loss included Kody Clemens, who had the game tying hit to send the game into extras and Ryan Kreidler who had a multi-hit effort, including the Hens only extra base hit. The Hens used a combination of relivers in the loss as the matchup was a designed bullpen game.
The Mud Hens went quietly in the top of the first as Toledo was limited to a two out Kody Clemens walk. RHP Nolan Blackwood got the start for Toledo, assuming the role as opener in a presumed bullpen game. The Storm Chasers tagged Blackwood for a pair of runs in the frame, as a double and pair of singles resulted in a quick 2-0 deficit.
Juan Centeno and Ryan Kreidler both recorded two out singles in the top of the second but the pair would be left on base as Omaha navigated the scoring threat. Bouncing back from a rough first, Blackwood limited Omaha to a lone base runner in the bottom of the second in a scoreless frame.
The Hens were retired in order in the top of the third as they continued looking for a spark to ignite the offense. Meanwhile, Blackwood continued to pitch well in the third, allowing a two out walk but nothing more, keeping the score 2-0.
The Mud Hens were set down in order for the second consecutive inning to start the fourth as the offense was quickly running out of scoring opportunities in the seven inning double header. Blackwood allowed a leadoff walk in the bottom of the fourth which led to RHP Wladimir Pinto entering the game in relief. Pinto immediately allowed a double to the first batter he faced, letting Blackwood’s base runner to score. Pinto would settle and in finish the inning cleanly, however.
The Hens got their first base runner since the top of the second as Juan Centeno led off the fifth with a bunt single. A single by Jacob Robson put runners at the corners but unfortunately for Hens fans, neither would come in to score. RHP Jason Foley took over Pinto in the bottom of the fifth, allowing a walk, a single, and a wild pitch but managed to keep the score 2-0.
The Mud Hens chances of scoring looked promising as Kody Clemens and Isaac Paredes led off the sixth inning with a pair of singles. However, a quick double play and strikeout would force the Hens to attempt some seventh inning heroics. RHP Nivaldo Rodriguez took over for Foley in the bottom of the sixth, working a 1-2-3 inning that was assisted by an inning ending double play.
With their backs pressed against the wall, the Mud Hens offense burst to life. Ryan Kreidler sent a double into the left centerfield gap followed shortly by a Jacob Robson walk. Riley Greene then smacked an RBI single scoring Kreidler. A four pitch walk to Spencer Torkelson loaded the bases for Kody Clemens. Clemens would drive a single to center, scoring Robson and Greene, tying the game 3-3. An intentional walk to Christin Stewart reloaded the bases for Toledo, but the Hens would have to settle for three as Omaha escaped the inning. Rodriguez remained in the game to pitch the seventh, allowing only one runner who reached on an error.
Since the game was only supposed to last seven innings as part of a double header, the game was sent into extras in the top of the eighth. Aderlin Rodriguez started the inning at second base for the Hens eventually advancing to third on a groundout. With the game winning run 90 feet away, the Hens would be limited to a Ryan Kreidler walk. RHP Angel De Jesus entered the game in relief of Nivaldo Rodriguez in the bottom of the eighth, immediately giving up a leadoff single, scoring Omaha’s runner at second and securing a Storm Chasers walk off win.
What’s Next: The Mud Hens continue their series with the Omaha Storm Chasers tomorrow. First pitch is scheduled for 8:05 p.m. EST.