Belfiore, Miller help Mud Hens silence Bulls

7/27/2014

DURHAM, N.C. — Left-hander Mike Belfiore pitched seven scoreless inning to help lead Toledo to a 5-0 victory over the first-place Bulls on Saturday night.

Belfiore (3-5, 3.16 ERA) gave up five hits, walked one and struck out three before Justin Miller finished up with two scoreless innings. Miller struck out three and walked one.

It was the Mud Hens’ second straight win after a four-game losing streak. It was the Bulls’ fourth straight loss, and the second time they have been shut out in the four games.

Toledo opened the scoring in the fifth against Enny Romero (4-11, 5.29 ERA) when Tyler Collins singled and advanced on a balk. Collins scored on a Jordan Lennerton double to give Toledo a 1-0 lead.

Mike Hessman hit a solo homer, his 20th of the season, leading off the seventh for the Mud Hens. It was Hessman’s International League-record 264th home run. Collins singled in James McCann two batters later.

Toledo finished off the scoring the eighth inning, when McCann doubled home Hernan Perez and Hessman with two out.

Ben Guez went 3-for-4 for the Mud Hens. McCann, Collins and Lennerton each had two hits.

Toledo improved to 54-55 and trail Columbus by three games in the West Division of the International League. The Mud Hens are 6½ games behind Pawtucket in the wild-card race.

The Bulls and Mud Hens meet again today at 5:05 p.m. RHP Matt Andriese (11-5, 3.30) starts for the Bulls against LHP Kyle Lobstein (7-10, 3.98) for Toledo.