The Toledo Mud Hens played the fifth game of their series against the Columbus Clippers on Saturday night, where they snapped their four-game losing streak with an 8-6 victory.
After dropping the first four games of the series, Toledo was looking for a response. However, Columbus had plans of its own. In the bottom of the 2nd inning, Guardians' No. 1 prospect Ralphy Velazquez launched his seventh home run of the season, a 415-foot blast that left the bat at 112.6 mph, to give the Clippers an early 1-0 lead. Columbus wasn't finished there. Juan Brito followed with a walk and stole second before George Valera lined a double over the head of center fielder Brett Callahan to score Brito. Alfonsin Rosario then reached on an infield single, putting runners on the corners. After a groundout advanced both runners, Angel Genao lined a single into right field to drive in two more runs, giving the Clippers a prominent 4-0 lead after two innings.
The Mud Hens finally broke through in the top of the 3rd after manufacturing a run. Carlos Pérez led off the inning with a single into left field before Trei Cruz and Max Anderson each collected singles later in the frame. With the bases loaded and two outs, Corey Julks stepped to the plate and was hit by the first pitch he saw, forcing home Toledo's first run of the game and cutting the deficit to 4-1.
Toledo's bullpen settled the game down over the next few innings, keeping the Clippers off the scoreboard and giving the offense a chance to chip away. In the top of the 5th, the Hens pieced together another rally. Jace Jung and Max Anderson collected back-to-back singles before Corey Julks reached on a fielder's choice that resulted in an error at second base, loading the bases. Then, for the second time in the game, a hit-by-pitch brought home a run as Brett Callahan was plunked, making it 4-2.
The comeback continued in the 6th inning. Gage Workman finally broke through at the plate, launching a solo home run to center field. His 382-foot blast trimmed the Clippers' lead to just one run at 4-3.
The turning point came in the top of the 7th. Max Anderson reached base for the fourth consecutive time after drawing a leadoff walk. Corey Julks followed by drilling a double off the left-field wall, putting runners on second and third with nobody out. Brett Callahan continued his productive night, lining a single into left field to score both runners and tie the game at 4-4. Toledo wasn't done. Justice Bigbie collected his first hit of the season with an RBI single up the middle, giving the Mud Hens their first lead of the night. Gage Workman followed with an RBI single of his own to center field, capping a three-run inning and extending Toledo's lead to 6-4.
The Hens kept their foot on the gas in the 8th inning. Max Anderson continued his outstanding night by reaching base for the fifth time with another walk. Corey Julks then crushed a two-run home run over the center-field wall, doubling Toledo's lead to 8-4.
Columbus made one final push in the bottom half of the inning. Alfonsin Rosario worked a walk before Cooper Ingle launched a two-run home run to right field, cutting Toledo's lead to 8-6.
Mother Nature had the final say. Heavy rain arrived in the top of the 9th inning, and with one out recorded, the tarp was rolled onto the field. After approximately 20 minutes of waiting, the game was called, officially ending as a complete game and securing the Mud Hens' 8-6 victory.
The win snapped Toledo's four-game slump and gave the Hens their first victory of the series. The offense battled back from a four-run deficit, while the bullpen held Columbus scoreless from the 3rd through the 7th innings to allow the comeback to unfold. The two teams will wrap up the series Sunday afternoon, with first pitch scheduled for 1:05 p.m.
Notables:
Corey Julks
2-4 (HR, 2B, HBP, 3 RBI, 2 R)
Max Anderson
3-3 (2 BB, 2 R)