6 former Mud Hens call Rochester home

Clete Thomas, one of six ex-Mud Hens playing for Rochester, bats against Toledo at Fifth Third Field. He is hitting .231 with 10 homers. THE BLADE/JEREMY WADSWORTH Enlarge | Buy This Photo

Just about every team that travels to Fifth Third Field has at least one Mud Hen on the roster. Some have two, and occasionally a team has three.

But Rochester, which finishes a four-game series with Toledo today, sets an unofficial record with six.

That record comes with an asterisk, as three of those former Hens -- pitchers Lester Oliveros and Brendan Wise, along with infielder Michael Hollimon -- are on the disabled list.

Related story: Hens lose third straight

Still, it's hard to believe that 20 percent of the Red Wings' roster has ties to the Hens.

And these former Mud Hens have been productive. For example, Oliveros (who pitched here in 2009 and last season) has a 1-2 record with six saves and a 3.07 ERA in 19 relief appearances for Rochester, while Wise (who was here the past two years) is 2-3 with a save and a 5.64 mark.

"Oliveros started in Double-A because of our [pitching] numbers, but ever since he's come up he's been one of our better relievers," Rochester manager Gene Glynn said. "Brendan has filled a lot of roles for us -- he's been a spot starter, he has closed.

"He got hit in the back of his hand during BP in Norfolk, so he's missed a couple of weeks with a slight fracture of a bone in his hand."

A third pitcher, lefty Luke French (who pitched for Toledo in 2009 before being traded to Seattle) is 1-5 with a 6.78 ERA in 16 games for the Wings.

"Luke started in Double-A, and he was one of the first to be called up to start for us," Glynn said. "We recently put him in the bullpen, but as things unfold he'll either get more time there or switch back to the rotation."

Offensively, Hollimon (who spent time here in 2007-08) has batted .218 with five homers and 12 RBIs in 50 games for Rochester.

Two outfielders on Rochester's roster are Wilkin Ramirez (who played for the Hens from 2008-10) and Clete Thomas (who played here the previous four seasons). Ramirez has hit .237 with 10 homers and 28 RBIs in 68 games for the Red Wings while Thomas, who was claimed on waivers by Minnesota earlier this year, has a .231 average with 10 homers, 30 RBIs, and eight stolen bases in 77 games.

"Clete is a very athletic player who has a tremendous work ethic," said Riccardo Ingram, himself a former Mud Hen who splits time as a batting coach for both Rochester and Minnesota's Double-A team in New Britain, Conn. "And Wilkin always has had loads of talent. He continues to try and get better, and he's also one of the good guys in the game.

"So is Michael Hollimon. They fit in with their teammates, they never complain about working, and they're a joy to coach."

NUMBERS WATCH: The Mud Hens will be hard-pressed to avoid some dubious history in the final weeks of this season.

Friday's loss was their 70th this year, meaning the team will certainly finish with a losing record. That will mark the third straight losing season after a franchise-record five straight winning records.

No Toledo team playing at Fifth Third Field has posted a record worse than the 65-78 marks of 2003 and 2004. But this year's team will need to finish with a 21-8 record just to tie that mark.

One positive is the 500,000 mark for season attendance. After Friday's sellout, the team's attendance total is 430,320 for 57 home openings, an average of roughly 7,550 fans per game. With 13 more home dates, including Saturday's game, the team is almost certain to surpass the 500,000 mark for the 11th straight year.

CHICKEN SIGHTING: The Famous Chicken, also known at the San Diego Chicken, has been entertaining crowds for almost 40 years. But the Chicken will be making his first appearance at Fifth Third Field for today's 6 p.m. game.

Contact John Wagner at: jwagner@theblade.com, 419-724-6481 or on Twitter @jwagnerblade.