Mud Hens continue to stay hot at end of year

COLUMBUS — The Mud Hens won their fourth game in a row and swept a series at Columbus with a 14-5 win over the Clippers Friday.

Toledo finished with season highs for both runs and hits (22) to end their longest road trip of the season with a 7-4 record.

The Mud Hens broke on top with four runs in the third inning thanks to the wildness of Clippers starter Jeanmar Gomez.

With two outs Gomez walked John Lindsey to load the bases, then walked Danny Dorn and Ben Guez to force in two runs.

Danny Worth followed with a two-run single.

Toledo added a pair of runs in the fourth when Argenis Diaz scored on a wild pitch and Ryan Raburn singled in a run.

The Hens broke the game open with seven runs in the sixth off relievers Scott Barnes and Frank Hermann, making the score 13-0.

Toledo sent 12 batters to the plate in the inning and had eight straight batters reach base after the leadoff man was retired. The Hens got three singles, a walk, and four more singles before the second out was recorded, and Don Kelly capped the inning with a two-run single.

Columbus scored a run in the sixth when reliever Jose Ortega walked the first three batters he faced before the Clippers scored on a double play.

But the Hens got that run back in the seventh when Worth doubled and Brad Davis singled him in.

Columbus finished the scoring with a four-run ninth off Collin Balester, with Jared Goedert’s three-run homer the inning’s big hit.

Adam Wilk allowed just three hits and three walks in five scoreless innings to improve to 7-11 and win for the third time in his last four starts.

The Mud Hens return home to begin a short two-game series with Louisville today at 7 p.m.

NOTE: Detroit recalled LHP Drew Smyly from the Mud Hens to start for the Tigers against the Los Angeles Angels. RHP Luke Putkonen was sent to the Hens to make room for Smyly on the Tigers roster.