Homers power Mud Hens to victory
7/7/2014Ezequiel Carrera hit a 3-run homer in the sixth inning, and Tyler Collins smashed a solo shot one batter later to help rally Toledo to a 6-4 win over the host Louisville Bats on Sunday.
Carrera, who went 4 for 5 and stole three bases, hit his 5th homer of the season off of reliever Nick Christiani after Wade Gaynor and Brandon Douglas drew walks off of starter and loser Brett Marshall (0-5, 10.97 ERA). Collins hit his 13th home run against Christiani.
Righty Drew VerHagen (6-7, 3.66 ERA) pitched 5 1/3 innings for the Mud Hens, giving up three runs, two earned, and nine hits while striking out two. After allowing six singles the first time through the Louisville order, Verhagen settled down and retired 11 of the next 12 batters he faced before running into trouble in the sixth inning.
The Bats pushed a run across and loaded the bases with one out, but Kristopher Negron hit a sharp ground ball back to the mound, which the Mud Hens turned into an inning-ending double play.
Right-hander Kevin Whelan entered the game in the ninth inning and retired the Bats in order to record his 15th save of the season, moving him into a tie for third in the International League.
Manny Pina went 2 for 4 for Toledo, raising his batting average to .333.
The two teams will play the second of a four-game series at Louisville Slugger Field at 7:05 today. Louisville right-hander Chien-Ming Wang (8-5, 3.43) will take the mound against Toledo left-hander Robbie Ray (5-3, 2.74).