Hens can't stop bat of Louisville's Harris

8/7/2012

LOUISVILLE -- The Toledo Mud Hens struggled to get Louisville's Willie Harris out Monday, and that cost them in a 4-2 loss to the Bats.

Harris finished with three hits, three RBIs and a pair of runs scored to send Toledo to its fifth straight loss and fourth consecutive road setback.

The Bats scored twice in the second inning off Mud Hens starter Drew Smyly thanks to a two-run double by Harris.

Louisville added a run in the fourth inning as Harris singled with one out, advanced to second on a balk by Smyly, and scored on a two-out single by Corky Miller off reliever Matt Hoffman.

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Harris capped the Bats scoring in the sixth with his first home run of the season, a solo shot of Al Alburquerque.

Meanwhile the Mud Hens had just two hits off Louisville starter Tim Gustafson until breaking through for a run in the seventh. Justin Henry, John Lindsey, and Danny Worth all singled off Gustafson, with Worth's hit scoring Henry.

In the eighth the Hens added an unearned run. Cale Iorg and Jamie Johnson drew leadoff walks from Nick Christiani, and when the pair pulled off a double steal the Bats' catcher, Miller, threw wildly, allowing Iorg to score.

NOTES: RHP Chris Bootcheck was placed on the disabled list Monday. Bootcheck injured his left shoulder making a catch on a bunt in Sunday's home loss to Rochester. … RHP Bruce Rondon was promoted from Double-A Erie to take over for Bootcheck as the Mud Hens' closer. Rondon, who throws 100 mph at times, began the season with Hi-A Lakeland and posted a 1-0 record with 15 saves and a 1.93 ERA in 22 appearances, striking out 34 in 23⅓ innings. He was promoted to Double-A Erie on June 20 and was 0-1 with 12 saves and a 0.83 ERA in 21 games, fanning 23 in 21⅔ innings.