Norfolk has 17 hits in ripping Mud Hens

7/23/2014

NORFOLK, Va. — The Mud Hens’ spell as a winning ballclub proved short-lived.

Two days after passing the break-even mark for the first time in two years, Toledo fell back under .500 with an 12-4 loss to the Norfolk Tides.

Norfolk rocked Hens starter Kyle Lobstein (7-10) for eight runs — seven earned — on nine hits over four innings to set off an all-night deluge. Every Tides’ hitter had a hit while six batters finished with at least two.

Julio Borbon and Dariel Alvarez led the Tides’ 17-hit procession with three apiece. Former Detroit Tigers Steve Lombardozzi and Quintin Berry each added a double and two hits.

Toledo’s Chad Smith fared no better in relief. After the Tides chased Lobstein with no outs in the fifth, he allowed four hits and a walk in his only inning. Smith was charged with three of the hosts’ seven runs that inning.

It was only when Hens manager Larry Parrish summoned first baseman Jordan Lennerton for emergency relief that order returned. With Toledo trailing 12-3 in the seventh, Lennerton allowed two hits in two scoreless innings. He had one strikeout and no walks.

Tides left-hander Chris Jones (6-5) earned the win, holding Toledo to three runs — two earned — on six hits over seven innings. He struck out six and walked none.

Ben Guez hit his 11th home run of the season — a solo shot in the second — while Ezequiel Carrera had two of the Hens’ seven hits.