On deck: Mud Hens vs. Norfolk

8/2/2004

  • When: Today and tomorrow, 7 p.m.

  • TV: Today, BCSN

  • Radio: 1470 AM

  • Affiliation: Norfolk, New York Mets.

  • Pitching probables (Hens listed last): today, LH Randy Keisler (4-5, 3.27 ERA) vs. LH Andy Van Hekken (9-2, 4.36); tomorrow, RH Bobby Keppel (2-6, 5.11) vs. RH Shane Loux (7-10, 5.15).

  • Tidal waves: Norfolk enters this series in last place in the IL's South Division. The Tides have played roughly .500 ball on the road all season, though. ... Norfolk ranks near the bottom in the IL in team batting average (.264) and home runs (86) and is dead last in runs scored (434). ... 1B Craig Brazell leads the team with 19 home runs and has 59 RBIs, while 2B Victor Diaz has 16 homers and a team-high 65 RBIs. ... C Tom Wilson has hit .389 against the Hens this season with two homers and seven RBIs in five games. ... The Tides rank second in the 14-team league in ERA with a 4.12 mark. ... RH Heath Bell has taken over as the team's closer and has 11 saves, including four in his last five appearances.

  • Hen happenings: Toledo enters this series in first place in the IL's West Division, a game and a half ahead of second-place Columbus. ... The Mud Hens are 4-4 against Norfolk this season, including a 2-2 split of an early May series at Fifth Third Field. The winning team has scored at least nine runs in five of the eight games these two teams have played this year. ... The Hens will miss 1B Andy Barkett in this series; the injured infielder has hit .536 against the Tides this season with four homers and eight RBIs in seven games. ... In the bullpen RH John Ennis has not allowed a run in his last six appearances, a span of 6 2/3 innings, while RH Craig Dingman has thrown four scoreless innings in his last four games. RH Jason Karnuth has given up just one run in his last 10 innings of work.

  • Special events: The first 5,000 fans through the gates for today's game will receive a fortune cookie, and Skyy Dogs USA will perform during the contest. ... Hall of Fame pitcher Rollie Fingers will throw to Toledo resident Paul Ekey, Jr., in the middle of the fourth inning of tomorrow's game. If Ekey hits three pitches beyond the infield baseline he will win $10,000 in the "Bat & Win $10,000 Game" sponsored by Rolaids.

  • Next home series: vs. Charlotte Knights, Aug. 5-6.