Hens’ win streak snapped by Indy
8/23/2014INDIANAPOLIS — The Mud Hens saw a three-game winning streak end with a 5-0 loss to Indianapolis on Friday.
Indians starter Rafael Perez combined with two relievers to shut out Toledo on just five hits. The Hens’ ninth shutout loss this season dropped them to third in the International League’s West Division, one game behind second-place Indianapolis.
The Indians got on the board first thanks to a pair of unearned runs in the second inning off Toledo starter Mike Belfiore.
With one out, Elias Diaz reached base thanks to a throwing error by Hens third baseman Wade Gaynor, and singles by Mel Rojas and Michael Martinez loaded the bases.
Then with two outs, Tommy Field singled to center to score Diaz and Rojas, but Toledo was able to retire Martinez at third base to avoid further damage.
Indianapolis scored two more runs in the fourth and knocked Belfiore out of the game in the process. Rojas led off with a double, then stole second base.
With two outs, Field walked, and Jose Tabata doubled to bring home both runners.
The Indians added a run in the sixth when Martinez touched reliever Jose Ortega for a leadoff single, then scored on a two-out double by Tabata.
Tabata, Rojas, and Field each finished with two hits to lead the Indians, who had 10 hits in the contest. Tabata also had three RBIs.
Meanwhile, Perez and relievers Vin Mazzaro and Josh Kinney held the Hens in check on just five hits and two walks.
The closest Toledo came to scoring was in the fourth, when with two outs Mike Hessman singled and Gaynor followed with a double.
But Perez got Daniel Fields to ground out to second base, and the Hens did not advance a runner past second base the rest of the game.
The Mud Hens return home today to begin their final homestand of the season, with five games through Wednesday. The homestand starts with the first of three games against Louisville, with first pitch set for 7 p.m.