MUD HENS POWER PAST TRIBE 8-2
Toledo Blasts Three Home Runs To Gain Series Split
INDIANAPOLIS — Left fielder Jeff Frazier blasted his 24th longball of the season in the first inning before designated hitter Mike Bertram and right fielder Chris White each connected on their first career Triple-A home runs as the Toledo Mud Hens went on to take down the Indianapolis Indians 8-2 in front of a crowd of 12,039 on Friday night at Victory Field.
With the loss, Indianapolis’ record falls to 67-67 on the season, while the win improves Toledo to 63-70 on the year. Despite the victory for the Mud Hens, the Tribe still finishes with an 11-10 advantage in the overall season series, including wins in nine of the last 12 meetings.
The Mud Hens jumped out to a quick start with five runs in the first and never looked back as they tacked on a single tally in fourth and two more in the sixth on their way to the 8-2 victory. Toledo collected 12 hits and drew seven walks as seven different individuals scored at least one run and seven collected at least one hit.
Frazier blasted Toledo onto the board when he came through with his clutch two-out, two-run bomb to left field to plate SS Cale Iorg and give the Mud Hens a quick 2-0 advantage in the first. The longball was Frazier’s team best 24th of the season, while the two RBI also increased his team best total to 72.
The Mud Hens were not finished with the first inning fireworks as, following a base hit by CF Ben Guez and C Robinzon Diaz reaching on an error, Bertram connected on a three-run round-tripper to deep right-center field. The homer was the first at the Triple-A level for Bertram as well as his fifth, sixth and seventh RBI in what was just his 18th game with Toledo.
Bertram would not be the only Triple-A rookie to launch his first home run on the evening as White also lifted a solo shot to right field to lead off the fourth inning for what was his first home run and third RBI in just his 14th game since joining the Mud Hens. White also played a part in Toledo’s sixth inning rally as he followed a base hit by 3B Shawn Roof with a base hit of his own and then came around to score with Roof when Iorg lined a double to left field.
In what was a break out night for the Triple-A first timer, White (3-for-4, 2 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 BB) reached base four times and led all batters with two runs scored. Iorg (3-for-4, 1 R, 2 RBI) also collected three base knocks for the Mud Hens, while only RF Mitch Jones (3-for-4, 1 R, 1 RBI) posted a multi-hit effort for the Tribe.
Not to be overshadowed by the offense, Mud Hens starter Ryan Ketchner (5.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 SO) was brilliant over 5.1 innings of work as he allowed just one run and struck out four to earn the victory and improve to 5-4 on the season. Reliever Zach Simons (2.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 SO) followed Ketchner’s outing with an even more dominating effort as he struck out six of the eight batters he faced over 2.2 innings of perfect relief.
Indianapolis plated their only runs in the second and ninth as SS Pedro Ciriaco brought home Jones with a base hit in the second, before Jones would bring home LF Brandon Moss when the pair led off the ninth with back-to-back doubles.
A bright spot on the evening for the Tribe was their bullpen as relievers Corey Hamman (2.2 IP, 4 BB, 2 SO) and Anthony Claggett (1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 SO) combined for 3.2 innings of scoreless work in relief of starter Joe Martinez (5.1 IP, 11 H, 8 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO), who suffered the loss to fall to 1-2 on the season after allowing eight runs (five earned) on 11 hits in just 5.1 innings of work.
The Indians now take to the road for a short two-game series with the Columbus Clippers beginning on Saturday, August 28 at 7:05 p.m. LHP Dana Eveland is the anticipated starter for the Tribe, while LHP David Huff is expected to get the call for the Clippers.
The contest will be carried by WXLW-950 AM and www.IndyIndians.com with Howard Kellman and Scott McCauley on the call. The pre-game show begins at 6:45 p.m.
