Hens back at .500 with victory

Oliver fans six PawSox in 3-hitter

4/30/2011

PAWTUCKET, R.I. — The Mud Hens held on to a 4-3 win against the Pawtucket Red Sox on Saturday night at McCoy Stadium for their sixth win in a row, creeping back to the .500 mark for the first time since the second game of the season on April 8.

Andy Oliver (3-1) took the win, working seven innings, striking out six and allowing just three hits.

The Mud Hens (12-12) got things started in the top of the fourth with a Scott Sizemore single. Sizemore advanced to second on a balk and was pushed to third on a sacrifice bunt by Timo Perez. Ryan Strieby brought Sizemore home in a RBI single up the middle to make the score 1-0.

The Hens struck again in the fifth when Argenis Diaz singled with one out. Diaz then advanced to third on a single by Andy Dirks. A Sizemore single brought in Diaz to give Toledo a 2-0 advantage.

Sizemore doubled to center field to start the eighth. Perez dropped down a sacrifice bunt, but was able to reach first on a fielding error by the Paw Sox (13-10).

Sizemore reached third on the error and was brought home when Scott Thorman hit a fielder’s choice.

Thorman stole second and was then brought home on a RBI single by Cale Iorg to give the Hens a 4-0 lead.

Toledo threatened to score again when Iorg stole second but Clete Thomas grounded out to end the inning.

Robbie Weinhardt came in to pitch in the eighth and faced three hitters, all of which reached base. Matt Hoffman replaced Weinhardt and promptly allowed a double that plated two to shrink the Hens’ lead to 4-3.

With one out and men on first and third, Enrique Gonzalez came out of the bullpen in relief of Hoffman and recorded a strikeout and a groundout to silence the Red Sox rally.

Gonzalez stayed on and worked a perfect ninth inning to give the Mud Hens the 4-3 win.

Sizemore’s 3-for-4 performance pushed his season average to .417.

The Mud Hens take on the Paw Sox again Sunday at 1:05 p.m.