Hens blow lead in ninth, lose in 11th

6/3/2009

DURHAM, N.C. - With a three- run lead heading into the bottom of the ninth, the Toledo Mud Hens were three outs from earning a road victory against the Durham Bulls.

However, victory was not to be for the Mud Hens as the Bulls scored three runs in the ninth and then won the game on a two-out, bases loaded single in the 11th for a 6-5 victory.

In the ninth inning, Durham's Chris Nowak hit a two-run home run off of Toledo's Casey Fien. Jon Weber hit an RBI double to score Brandon Chaves and tie the game.

In the 11th it was Justin Ruggiano who provided the game-winning hit, hitting a single to left field which scored Matthew Hall.

Mike Hessman went 2-for-5 with two RBIs for Toledo, and hit his ninth homer of the season to lead off the third inning.

Brent Dlugach blasted a two-run homer in the fourth and added a steal. Will Rhymes went 2-for-3 with a double and a steal.

Reliever Ron Chiavacci (1-4) took the loss for Toledo, giving up three hits, one run, two walks and striking out one in 12/3 innings.

Winston Abreu earned the win for Durham, improving to 3-0.

Starter Chris Lambert pitched well for the Hens. He gave up two runs on six hits in six innings with six strikeouts and no walks.