Mud Hens continue to struggle

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INDIANAPOLIS -- The Mud Hens' woes continued on Thursday night despite a promising start from their lackluster offense as Indianapolis rolled to a 10-5 victory.

Toledo starter Andy Oliver (4-7) could not hold two early leads and lasted just four innings. Oliver gave up six earned runs and walked five batters. He also allowed a three-run home run and struck out just one.

Toledo has lost eight of its last nine games.

The temperature was 102 degrees at the start and Toledo took advantage of early jitters by Indianapolis starter Rick VandenHurk. Justin Henry, Matt Young, and Rob Brantly all singled to load the bases to start the game.

VandenHurk then walked John Lindsey to make it 1-0. He then hit Jerad Head to bring Young home and Ben Guez followed with an RBI single for a 3-0 Toledo lead.

But Oliver immediately gave up three runs in the bottom of the opening inning as the Indians tied it on two walks, a single, and a double.

Toledo regained the lead when Cale Iorg tripled, scoring Guez to make it 4-3 in the third inning.

The Mud Hens increased the edge to 5-3 in the fourth inning on Head's RBI single with two outs.

However, Indianapolis added three runs in the bottom of the inning on Starling Marte's three-run homer off of Oliver, who had recorded two outs, to make it 6-5. Marte had five RBIs.

The Indians added two runs in the sixth and two in the seventh off Toledo reliever Luke Putkonen.