Mud Hens bolster playoff hopes with win at Indianapolis

Jason Krizan drove in two runs for Toledo in its 4-3 win over Indianapolis on Thursday night.

Jacob Robson doubled home Jarrod Saltalamacchia in the seventh inning to break a 3-3 tie and Toledo hung on to defeat host Indianapolis 4-3 in an International League game on Thursday night at Victory Field.

The victory over their IL West Division rivals combined with Columbus’ loss to Louisville drew the Mud Hens (70-65) within 1½ games of the division-leading Clippers (72-64) with four games to play. Toledo also moved within a half-game of the IL wild card lead held by Indianapolis and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

■ What happened: The Indians took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning when Jerrick Suiter singled home Jacob Stallings.

Jason Krizan had an RBI single and Harold Castro had a sacrifice fly for the Mud Hens in the fourth inning to give Toledo a 2-1 lead.

The Mud Hens went ahead 3-1 in the sixth inning when Krizan singled home Christin Stewart.

Indianapolis tied the game in the bottom of the inning when Eric Wood doubled home Wyatt Mathisen, and Wood scored on a double by Suiter.

Robson got the eventual game-winning hit off Michael Feliz in the top of the seventh.

Starter Ryan Carpenter was effective for the Mud Hens, giving up one run on four hits over five innings of work. He struck out five and walked three.

Paul Voelker gave up two runs in one inning, but got the victory to improve his record to 6-3. Zac Houston pitched a perfect 1⅔ innings for his ninth save.

■ Game MVP: Krizan went 2-for-4 with two RBIs for the Mud Hens.

■ Make a note of it: Toledo finished the season series with a ​10-14 record against Indianapolis. ... Stewart extended his hitting streak to eight games and is hitting .462 (12-for-26) in that span. ... Toledo starter Ryan Carpenter entered the game with a 2-8 record for the Mud Hens, while Indians’ starter Alex McRae was 3-10. ... Carpenter made his first start with Toledo since Aug. 10. He was optioned to Toledo from Detroit on Sunday. ...  Shortstop Willi Castro went 0-for-4 in his Toledo debut. 

■ Comings and goings: With Jose Iglesias landing on the disabled list, the Tigers recalled infielder Dawel Lugo from Toledo to make his major league debut, while Castro was assigned to the Mud Hens from Double-A Erie.

■ A look ahead: Toledo opens its final series of the season, a four-game set, at Columbus on Friday. Toledo will send Daniel Norris (0-0, 2.25 ERA) to the mound for his second rehab start with the Mud Hens. Columbus will counter with Mitch Talbot (4-5, 2.61 ERA).

Toledo must win three of four in Columbus to pass the Clippers atop the division. Indianapolis closes with four games vs. last-place Louisville.