The Toledo Mud Hens took on the Omaha Storm Chasers in the first game of a six-game series at Fifth Third Field, where they earned a 4-3 extra-inning victory.
Toledo was happy to be back home after a rough road series. The Hens also welcomed a few new faces to the roster following the recent trade deadline and organizational moves.
Kenny Serwa was one of those new additions, making his first start for Toledo. He tossed six innings, striking out six while allowing just two runs. Other newcomers to the roster include Daniel Fregio, Joe Campagna, Jack Goodman, and Justice Bigbie.
Tuesday night's game was a back-and-forth battle, with Omaha taking the lead multiple times, but Toledo never letting the Storm Chasers pull away.
In the top of the 2nd inning, Matthew Lugo led off with a solo home run to left field, giving Omaha an early 1-0 lead.
The Hens answered right back in the bottom of the 3rd. Andrew Navigato launched a solo home run of his own over the right-field fence, tying the game at 1-1.
Omaha didn't let the momentum shift for long. In the top of the 4th, Abraham Toro led off with a single to right field before Brett Squires drew a walk. Then, with two outs, Brandon Drury lined a single into left field, allowing Toro to score and putting the Storm Chasers back in front, 2-1.
Max Anderson wasted no time responding. In the bottom half of the inning, he crushed his 12th home run of the season deep over the left-field wall, evening the score once again.
The two teams continued to go blow for blow. After Beau Brieske entered in relief in the top of the 7th, Brandon Drury delivered again, this time launching a solo home run to left field for his second RBI of the night, giving Omaha a 3-2 advantage.
The Hens had another answer in the bottom half of the inning. Brett Callahan battled through an eight-pitch at-bat before shooting a single to the opposite field. He then advanced to second on a wild pitch. One of Toledo's newer additions, Justice Bigbie, followed with a single to left field, putting runners on the corners. Tyler Gentry then grounded into a double play, but Callahan was able to score before the inning ended, tying the game at 3-3.
With the score still tied entering the 9th inning, Scott Effross took over on the mound for Toledo. Omaha put a pair of runners aboard, but the Mud Hens escaped the threat with a 4-6-3 double play to send the game to the bottom of the inning.
Down to their final three outs of regulation, the Hens looked for one last chance to end it. With two outs, Justice Bigbie hustled out an infield single to the right side of the shortstop. The defender fielded the ball on the run and attempted a Derek Jeter-style jump throw to first, but the throw sailed wide, allowing Bigbie to reach safely. Tyler Gentry followed with a single to left before Andrew Navigato worked a walk to load the bases. However, Bennett Lee grounded out to third base, sending the game into extra innings.
With the automatic runner on second to begin the 10th, Omaha was unable to capitalize. Tanner Rainey struck out the first two batters he faced before inducing a groundout to shortstop, keeping the game tied.
Now it was Toledo's turn.
With Bennett Lee starting the inning at second base, Trei Cruz ripped a single into center field to put runners on the corners with nobody out. The Storm Chasers intentionally walked Jace Jung to load the bases, bringing Max Anderson to the plate. Already with a home run to his name, Anderson worked the count to 2-2 before lining a single over the second baseman's head, scoring the winning run and walking it off for the Mud Hens.
After the Gatorade shower came to an end and the celebrations settled down, the scoreboard read 4-3 in favor of Toledo. The walk-off victory gave the Hens the first win of the six-game series and a strong start to the homestand. The two teams will meet again tomorrow night, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
Notables:
Andrew Navigato
2-3 (HR, BB, RBI, R)
Kenny Serwa
6.0 IP (3 H, 2 ER, 6 SO)