Cold weather postpones Mud Hens at Indianapolis
4/24/2005INDIANAPOLIS - The first game in the Mud Hens' three-game series against Indianapolis yesterday was postponed by cold weather.
The contest has been rescheduled as part of a doubleheader to be played on Saturday, Aug. 6, which is the first day of the Hens' next series here. First pitch that night is scheduled for 7 p.m., Toledo time.
The two teams will attempt to play today starting at 3 p.m. at Victory Field, with Toledo sending Jason Grilli (0-1) to face the Indians' Cory Stewart (0-2). After a 1 p.m. start tomorrow the Hens will travel to Louisville for a four-game series with the Bats.
Indianapolis returns home after having swept a doubleheader at Richmond Friday that improved the Tribe's record to 9-7 in their first season as the top affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Catcher Ryan Doumit leads Indy with a .381 batting average and is tied for the International League lead in home runs with six and tops the Indians with 13 RBIs. Outfielder Rich Thompson provides balance to the offense with his league-high nine stolen bases.
The Indianapolis pitching staff has a composite 4.07 ERA, fifth-best in the 14-team league. Zach Duke and Ian Snell, two of the top prospects in the Pirates' system, anchor the rotation while closer Mark Corey leads the IL with four saves.
The Mud Hens, meanwhile, are fresh off taking 3 of 4 against Charlotte at Fifth Third Field to move into first place in the West Division.
Third baseman Jack Hannahan enjoyed great success hitting at home, going 13-for-27 in seven games for a .481 batting mark. Center fielder Curtis Granderson hit .364 with a team-leading six RBIs in the eight games at Fifth Third Field, while first baseman Chris Shelton batted .346 for the homestand.
The Toledo pitching staff had a 3.88 ERA for the eight games at home and a 3.37 ERA for the season to rank second in the IL. Right-hander Nelson Cruz won both the first and last games of the homestand while posting a 1.64 ERA.
The Hens' bullpen has a 4-1 record with seven saves and a 3.12 ERA. Left-hander Vic Darensbourg and right-hander Jason Karnuth have combined to throw 15 scoreless innings. Darensbourg has not allowed a hit while fanning nine in seven innings, while Karnuth already has three saves thanks to his eight scoreless frames.