Cole gets win against Mud Hens

INDIANAPOLIS -- Gerrit Cole, one of the top prospects in baseball, made his first start since being called up to Triple-A on Saturday night. It just so happened to be against the Mud Hens, who lost 8-4.

The Mud Hens have now lost five of their last six games.

Toledo scored three runs in the first inning against Cole.

But he soon settled down with five scoreless innings. The No. 1 overall pick by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2011 draft gave up six hits, struck out seven, and walked one to earn the victory in Indianapolis' regular-season home finale.

Toledo scored three runs in the first, when John Lindsey drove in the first Mud Hens run with a sacrifice fly, and Danny Dorn followed with a two-run triple.

After that, though, Indianapolis scored eight straight runs -- three runs in the first, two in the second, and three more in the third.

That proved more than enough run support for Cole, who posted an 8-7 record and a 2.71 ERA in 25 starts over two levels entering Saturday's game.

The Mud Hens did score one run in the seventh, after Logan Kensing replaced Cole. Justin Henry hit a line-drive single to right field that scored Argenis Diaz, but Cale Iorg struck out swinging and Jerad Head grounded out to the pitcher, ending the rally.

Toledo left-hander Casey Crosby (7-9, 4.01) took the loss, allowing five runs -- four earned -- on five hits in only 1⅔ innings. He struck out two batters and walked three.

Rob Waite replaced Crosby in the second inning, but struggled to cool Indy's bats. He gave up three runs -- two earned -- in 1⅓ innings. While he allowed only one hit, Waite also walked three batters and struck out one.

The Mud Hens begin their final series of the season at 6 p.m. today at home against Columbus.