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Mud Hens in-game blog -- May 8

Here is pre-game and in-game information from the Mud Hens' game vs. Rochester at Fifth Third Field on Wednesday, May 8. Make sure to press “refresh” for updates throughout the contest.

GAME INFORMATION

Rochester Red Wings (13-19) at Toledo Mud Hens (9-24)

First pitch: 6:30 p.m.

Television: BCSN. 

Radio: 1230 AM, WCWA. Click here to listen on the Internet.

Gameday: Click here to follow the contest pitch-by-pitch.

STARTING LINEUPS

ROCHESTER: Leading off and playing 3B is Ray Olmedo, followed by Doug Bernier at SS, Chris Colabello at 1B, Evan Bigley in RF, Jeff Clement at DH, Joe Benson in CF, Nate Hanson in LF, Chris Herrmann at C, Eric Farris at 2B and RHP Kyle Gibson as the starting pitcher.

MUD HENS: Leading off and playing 3B is Argenis Diaz, followed by Quintin Berry in CF, Nick Castellanos in LF, Jordan Lennerton at 1B, Avisail Garcia in RF, Ramon Cabrera at DH, Bryan Holaday at C, Brandon Douglas at 2B, Gustavo Nunez at SS and LHP Ramon Garcia as the starting pitcher.

NINTH INNING

The Mud Hens did get a hit in the ninth, but Toledo is shut out by Kyle Gibson in a 3-0 loss. Heading to the clubhouse ... thanks for following along!

Toledo's Kenny Faulk comes out for a third inning and retires the Red Wings in order. Important effort for Faulk in that it allows the Mud Hens to get their bullpen back in order. But the Hens need some runs ... they trail 3-0 as we head to the bottom of the ninth.

EIGHTH INNING

Rochester's Kyle Gibson is rolling ... He again retired the Mud Hens in 1-2-3 order in the eighth. He has thrown 101 pitches, 61 for strikes, and has allowed just three hits and two walks while fanning seven in eight shutout innings. Strong effort by Gibson ... and it will be interesting to see if he comes out in the ninth to complete the shutout. We head to the ninth, and the Red Wings lead 3-0.

Rochester adds an insurance run off Kenny Faulk thanks to a leadoff triple by Eric Farris and a one-out sacrifice fly by Doug Bernier. Bernier's ball was well-struck; Avisail Garcia made a nice running catch heading towards the fence to get the out. The Red Wings now lead 3-0 as the Hens come to bat in the bottom of the eighth.

SEVENTH INNING

Rochester's Kyle Gibson again retires the Mud Hens, giving up a line single to Avisail Garcia but promptly erasing Garcia by getting Ramon Cabrera to bounce into a double play. The Mud Hens haven't hit the ball into the outfield since a single by Jordan Lennerton in the fourth, although that comes with a asterisk: Gibson had to knock down Garcia's screamer to keep it in the infield. Still Rochester 2-0 as we move to the eighth.

Kenny Faulk came on in relief of Garcia and retired the Red Wings in 1-2-3 order. Better, Faulk needed just 10 pitches to get through the inning. That probably sets up Faulk for a second inning of work, which would help the bullpen.

SIXTH INNING

The Mud Hens again are retired in 1-2-3 order. Rochester starter Kyle Gibson now has set down eight in a row and 12 of the 13 batters he has faced. Gibson has thrown 82 pitches through six innings, so he can probably can go at least one more inning -- if not more. Still Rochester 2, Mud Hens 0.

Ramon Garcia got the first two outs in the sixth before giving up a walk, then got a groundout to end the inning. Garcia is at 99 pitches through six innings, so his day probably is finished.

FIFTH INNING

Another 1-2-3 inning for the Mud Hens as Rochester starter Kyle Gibson now has retired nine of the last 10 batters he has faced. Gibson is at 69 pitches through five, so I would suspect (if he keeps that pace) he can cover at least two more innings. Red Wings lead 2-0 as we move to the sixth.

Ramon Garcia finds a spot of trouble when Chris Hermann skipped a triple past Quintin Berry in center with one out. But Garcia struck out by Eric Farris and Ray Olmedo to keep the score at 2-0 as the Mud Hens come to bat. Garcia has throw 82 pitches, so he may not go much longer.

FOURTH INNING

The Mud Hens got a leadoff single by Jordan Lennerton, but Ramon Cabrera hit the ball back to the mound and Kyle Gibson turned it into a strong 1-6-3 double play. Gibson has thrown 57 pitches through four innings. Rochester remains in front by a 2-0 score as we move to the fifth.

Ramon Garcia retired the Wings in order in the fourth, and needed just 11 pitches to do it. Garcia now is at 64 pitches through four innings.

THIRD INNING

The Mud Hens are retired in 1-2-3 order, with Nick Castellanos striking out to end the inning. Rochester's Kyle Gibson threw just 12 pitches in that inning and now has 46 through three. The Red Wings lead 2-0 as we move to the fourth.

Rochester's Doug Bernier singled with one out, but Ramon Garcia got the next batter to hit into an inning-ending double play. Garcia threw 15 pitches that inning and now has 53 through three innings of work.

SECOND INNING

The Hens got a two-out single from Brandon Douglas, but that was it. Red Wings starter Kyle Gibson now has thrown 34 pitches through two innings ... meaning both pitchers are pretty much at the same point in terms of pitch count. While the pitching situation may have evened out, Rochester still leads 2-0.

Toledo starter Ramon Garcia sets down the Red Wings in 1-2-3 order. Even more important: Garcia got the job done in just 10 pitches, giving him 38 through two innings. That isn't a great pace, but it's an improvement. Still 2-0 Rochester as the Hens come to bat.

FIRST INNING

The Mud Hens drew a couple of walks from Rochester starter Kyle Gibson, but Avasail Garcia struck out with two on base to end the inning. Gibson threw 18 pitches in the first inning (only eight strikes), which not great but not terrible. The Wings lead 2-0 as we move to the second.

The Red Wings break on top with a pair of runs off Toledo starter Ramon Garcia. With one out Doug Bernier lined a double high off the wall in left, and with two outs Evan Bigley slammed a line drive just a little higher over the fence in left for a two-run homer. Worse news: Garcia threw 28 pitches to get through the first, split between 14 balls and 14 strikes. Rochester leads 2-0 as we head to the bottom of the first.

PRE-GAME NOTES

• Let’s start with an update on LHP Phil Coke. He last pitched on Monday, going one inning against Rochester. Manager Phil Nevin said Coke went through a fielding practice today and is experiencing no pain. If Coke continues in this manner, he will throw one inning in Thursday’s game, and the next step will be determined after that. The Tigers can take Coke off the disabled list Saturday.

• A quick note about the pitching situation after Tuesday's 16-inning game, which saw the Mud Hens use six relievers while the Red Wings used eight. For Rochester, the only relievers I would say are not available are Shairon Martis (who covered 3.2 innings) and Caleb Thielbar (who has pitched in each of the past two games).

• As for the Mud Hens, there are fewer options -- in part because the Red Wings have nine relievers, including a pitcher on a major-league rehab assignment, while Toledo has just seven relievers, although Coke gives them an eighth. It's certain that Jess Todd won't pitch today after throwing 4.2 innings, while Brayan Villarreal threw 30 pitches in two innings and probably is not available. Bruce Rondon is available, while Kenny Faulk (who threw just 10 pitches) and Matt Hoffman (who threw just 13 pitches) should be available as well. And Nevin said guys who threw fewer pitches in their two innings of work, namely Evan Reed (21 pitches) and Robbie Weinhardt (23 pitches) could be available on a limited basis.

• Finally, here are a few links from Tuesday’s game. Click here to read the game story. Click here to read the in-game blog. Click here to read the post-game wrap up of the game. Click here to view Lori King’s photo gallery from the game.

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Mud Hens in-game blog -- May 6

Mud Hens post-game -- May 6

Mud Hens in-game blog -- May 7

Mud Hens post-game -- May 6

The Mud Hens claimed a 1-0 victory over Rochester at Fifth Third Field Monday night, and there were plenty of interesting things to analyze after the contest.

Here is a look at the night for Phil Coke, Bruce Rondon and Nick Castellanos.

First it's Coke, who began a rehab assignment by pitching the eighth inning for the Mud Hens. And let's begin with the raw numbers, which included one hit and one walk allowed in one inning, with one strikeout.

Coke threw 24 pitches, 12 balls and 12 strikes, but that is misleading since the walk was intentional. Coke threw first-pitch strikes to three of the four batters he faced (not including the intentional walk, obviously).

Coke's fastball sat at 90-92 mph (two at 90, five at 91 and three at 92), while his curveball sat at 76-79 mph (two at 76, one at 77, four at 78 and three at 79). Of the 10 fastballs Coke threw, seven were strikes (one taken, one swinging, four fouled, one put in play); of the 10 curveballs he threw, five were strikes (one taken, two fouled off, two put in play). The single came on a curveball, but Coke also got a foul popout with the curve. The fastball got a swinging strikeout and a sacrifice.

The two left-handed batters Coke faced were Clete Thomas (who, you may remember, has a pretty good eye at the plate) and Jeff Clement, a decent 4-A hitter. Coke fell behind Thomas 2-0, but got the out on a 3-2 swing-and-miss strikeout. Coke got ahead of Clement 0-2, then got a foul popout on a 3-2 pitch.

Mud Hens manager Phil Nevin said Coke would return to Toledo Tuesday, and after seeing how Coke feels, everyone will work together to dermine the lefty's next step.

"The key for me was the sacrifice," Nevin said of Coke's outing. "With a groin injury, you want to see how he can move off the mound. He got off the mound pretty well on the bunt, and he looked fine.

"He hadn't pitched in a while, so he needed to find his stuff a little bit. But he did, and he got two outs against the two lefties."

Next it's Rondon, who pitched for the Hens in the ninth and got the save by allowing just one walk in one inning of work, striking out the other three hitters he faced.

Rondon threw 18 pitches, nine of which were strikes. He threw first-pitch strikes to two of the batters he faced; he fell behind the first batter 2-0 before pumping in three straight strikes, then walked the second batter on four pitches. Rondon got ahead of the last two hitters 1-2.

Rondon's fastball sat at 95-97 mph (four at 95, two at 96, three at 97, one at 98, one at 100), while his slider sat at 86-87 mph (one at 84, two at 86, two at 87, one at 88).

Here's the key to understanding Rondon's night: He threw 12 fastballs, only four of which were strikes (one swinging, one fouled off, two taken). He threw six sliders, five of which were strikes (four swinging, one taken). All three strikeouts came on swings and misses with the slider.

"[The fastball] was elevated, which is uncommon for him," Nevin said of Rondon. "We've talked about his secondary pitches, and his slider was really good. It was sharp, and there was some deception to it, and that's why you saw the swings and misses. It was crisp.

"This is part of him learning how to pitch: Understanding what you've got that night. He's always going to have velocity, but some nights he may not have the command of the fastball. But when he's able to throwing the breaking ball like that, he's going to get outs without the fastball [command]."

Finally a word about Castellanos -- and it's about his defense, not his hitting. Offensively he went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts, dropping his season's batting average to .227 in 32 games.

But Castellanos came up with arguably the defensive play of the game, throwing out at Rochester baserunner at the plate from left in the second inning to keep the game scoreless. It was an impressive throw because it reached home plate on the fly and easily beat the runner, allowing catcher Bryan Holaday to catch and tag the baserunner with ease.

"In that spot, you can throw that ball in the air," Nevin explained. "With the runners on, you're not worried about the runners taking an extra base. So he made the right play there.

"It was a heck of a throw."

Mud Hens in-game blog -- May 6

Here is pre-game and in-game information from the Mud Hens' game vs. Rochester at Fifth Third Field on Monday, May 6. Make sure to press “refresh” for updates throughout the contest.

GAME INFORMATION

Rochester Red Wings (12-18) at Toledo Mud Hens (8-23)

First pitch: 6:30 p.m.

Television: BCSN. 

Radio: 1230 AM, WCWA. Click here to listen on the Internet.

Gameday: Click here to follow the contest pitch-by-pitch.

STARTING LINEUPS

ROCHESTER: Leading off and playing 2B is Ray Olmedo, followed by Chris Herrmann at C, Clete Thomas at CF, Chris Colabello at 1B, Jeff Clement at DH, Evan Bigley in RF, Brian Dinkleman at 3B, Joe Benson in LF, Doug Bernier at SS and LHP Andrew Albers as the starting pitcher.

MUD HENS: Leading off and playing SS is Argenis Diaz, followed by Ramon Cabrera at DH, Jordan Lennerton at 1B, Nick Castellanos in LF, Danny Dorn in RF, Bryan Holaday at C, Ben Guez in CF, Kevin Russo at 3B, Brandon Douglas at 2B and RHP Derek Hankins as the starting pitcher.

NINTH INNING

The Mud Hens snap a three-game losing streak by finishing off the 1-0 win. Bruce Rondon gave up a one out walk, but he also struck out the side in the ninth to claim his fifth save of the year. More details later, but a snapshot on Rondon tonight: Fastball command was OK, but not great, while the slider was a plus pitch tonight. Closing the blog, writing a game story, then adding a quick look at Coke and Rondon later tonight. Thanks for following along!

EIGHTH INNING

The Mud Hens broke through for a run in the inning ... on a crazy two-out play where a Mud Hen was NOT thrown out at the plate. Here's how it happened ... with two outs and no one on, Brandon Douglas drew an eight-pitck walk. Then on a 1-0 pitch to Argenis Diaz, Douglas was running -- and Diaz singled a single to right-center. It took the outfielders some time to get to the ball, and Douglas just beat the throw to the plate to score the run. Bruce Rondon comes on to try and close out a 1-0 victory for Toledo.

Phil Coke came on to start the eighth and gave up a bloop single to right to Ray Olmeda, a sacrifice to Chris Herrmann, then struck out Clete Thomas and intentionally walked Chris Colabello before getting Jeff Clement to pop out in foul territory. Coke threw 24 pitches, which is misleading since four of the pitches were part of an intentional walk. Coke went to a three-ball count to both Thomas and Clement. I promise a more complete accounting of Coke's outing after the game ... and since it looks as if Bruce Rondon will pitch the ninth, I'll throw in a Rondon analysis as well.

SEVENTH INNING

The Mud Hens had a chance ... but another baserunner was thrown out of the plate to keep the game scoreless. The situation was this: With two outs, Danny Dorn singled off Rochester reliever Tim Wood, and Bryan Holaday lined a double into the left-field corner. Manager Phil Nevin sent Dorn in an attempt to score, but Dorn was cut down at the plate.

If Derek Hankins' day is done, he has put together a very strong effort. Hankins retired the Red Wings in order in the seventh, meaning he retired 13 of the last 14 batters he faced. Hankins has given up four hits and three walks in seven shutout innings, striking out four along the way.

SIXTH INNING

The Red Wings can't get Argenis Diaz out, as Diaz singles for the third time. But Ramon Cabrera hit into his second double play of the contest to erase Diaz and end the inning. We move to the seventh, and there is still no score.

Rochester got a one-out single from Chris Colabello, but nothing more off Toledo starter Derek Hankins. At this point Hankins has thrown 92 pitches (53 of which were strikes), so he may not be in the game much longer.

FIFTH INNING

The Mud Hens are retired in order in the fifth, and it took just 13 pitches for Rochester's Andrew Albers to get the job done. Albers is at 72 pitches through five innings. Still no score as we move to the sixth.

Another quick inning for Hens starter Derek Hankins, with a 1-2-3 inning that took just 10 pitches. Hankins has thrown 77 pitches through five innings, so Hankins has a chance to work into the seventh if he remains economical.

FOURTH INNING

The Hens' Jordan Lennerton drew a leadoff walk, but a quick flyout and a double play nipped a potential rally in the bud. Don't try this at home: Rochester starter Andrew Albers threw just seven pitches in the inning, and only TWO were strikes. No score as we head to the fifth.

Toledo's Derek Hankins retired the Red Wings in order in the fourth, and even better: it took just nine pitches, giving Hankins 67 pitches through four innings. Still a high total, but it's better than his early pace.

THIRD INNING

The Mud Hens got a two-out double from Argenis Diaz, but he was stranded at second base. Rochester has three hits, Toledo has two as we head to the fourth inning in a scoreless game.

Mud Hens starter Derek Hankins got two outs before giving up a single to Chris Collabello, then getting the third out. Hankins is at 58 pitches through three innings, so he could use a few innings with lower pitch counts.

SECOND INNING

The Mud Hens got a two-out walk by Bryan Holaday but nothing else, and we move to third with no score.

A good throw home by Nick Castellanos in left field denied Rochester a run. The Red Wings had runners on first and second with one out when Doug Bernier lined a single to left. Castellanos got to the ball quickly and threw a ball on the fly to the plate -- and Rochester's Brian Dinkleman was out by a mile. That is the second outfield assist for Castellanos this season.

FIRST INNING

Toledo's Argenis Diaz led off with a single, but Diaz was quickly erased on a double play. No score as we move to the second.

Mud Hens starter Derek Hankins struggled with his command in the first inning, walking a pair of Rochester hitters -- one of the former Mud Hens and Tigers outfielder Clete Thomas -- but got two outs to keep the Red Wings off the board. The only early problem: Hankins already has thrown 27 pitches, which is too many to go deep into the game.

PRE-GAME NOTES

• First, let’s look at a lineup change for the Mud Hens. Manager Phil Nevin has flip-flopped Jordan Lennerton and Nick Castellanos in the batting order. The idea, according to Nevin, is to separate the left-handed hitters in the Mud Hens lineup. The visiting Red Wings have four left-handers in the bullpen, and this move separates Lennerton from Danny Dorn in the Toledo lineup.

• A quick look at the "good" news on the Mud Hens injury front ... LHP Phil Coke will pitch on a rehab assignment starting today. He is on a pitch count -- the Hens would not disclose that pitch count -- but I can tell you that he will start an inning, not come into the game with outs and/or runners on base. How he feels after today's game, and how he feels tomorrow, will determine the next step in his rehab.

• A little bit of "bad" injury news next -- and the bad news isn't so bad. OF Avisail Garcia was in the original lineup today but was scratched (same as Sunday). Garcia, who has not played since he was part of a collision in right field late Friday, did take some swings before the game, but again was not 100 percent. Nevin said he expects Garcia to return to the lineup Tuesday.

• A little more "bad" injury news that is getting better, this one about OF Quintin Berry. While Berry isn't in the starting lineup, he is listed on the lineup card -- which means he is available to pinch-hit, pinch-run or play defense if necessary. Berry, who has not played since he was hit just above the right elbow Friday, still has a little soreness because of a bruise in that area. But Nevin said Berry is not in the lineup because the Hens are facing a left-handed pitcher tonight, and Berry also should be in Tuesday's lineup.

• The news regarding Danny Worth is not quite as good. He is getting better, but he has not played since April 17, so even when he returns he may need some type of rehab assignment to get back up to speed. At this point there seems to be little to no chance he will return to the lineup at least before the homestand ends on Thursday.

• A few links to get everyone up to speed ... Click here to read the game story from Sunday's game. Click here to read a notebook from Sunday's game, which talks about Phil Coke and the Chewbacca Star Wars jerseys. Click here to read a column about Toledo's offensive struggles by The Blade's Dave Hackenberg. Click here to view a photo gallery from the game by The Blade's Jetta Fraser.

 

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Mud Hens in-game blog -- May 5

Mud Hens in-game blog -- May 5

Here is pre-game and in-game information from the Mud Hens' game vs. Charlotte at Fifth Third Field on Sunday, May 5. Make sure to press “refresh” for updates throughout the contest.

GAME INFORMATION

Charlotte Knights (9-21) at Toledo Mud Hens (8-22)

First pitch: 2 p.m.

Television: BCSN. 

Radio: 1230 AM, WCWA. Click here to listen on the Internet.

Gameday: Click here to follow the contest pitch-by-pitch.

STARTING LINEUPS

CHARLOTTE: Leading off and playing CF is Blake Tekotte, followed by Carlos Sanchez at 2B, Brent Morel at 3B, Seth Loman at 1B, Josh Bell at DH, Bryan Anderson at C, Jim Gallagher in RF, Drew Garcia at SS, Luis Durango in LF and RHP Jason Berken as the starting pitcher.

MUD HENS: Leading off and playing SS is Gustavo Nunez, followed by Ramon Cabrera at DH, Nick Castellanos in LF, Jordan Lennerton at 1B, Ben Guez in CF, Danny Dorn in RF, Brad Davis at C, Kevin Russo at 2B, Argenis Diaz at 3B and RHP Shawn Hill as the starting pitcher.

NINTH INNING

Toledo got a one-out walk to Jordan Lennerton but did not score. Danny Dorn hit a hot shot back up the middle, but it went off the glove of Charlotte's Jhan Carlos Marinez right to the second baseman for a 1-4-3 game-ending groundout. Mud Hens lose 4-1.

The Knights get that run right back as Shawn Hill gives up a two-run homer to Jim Gallagher with two outs in the inning. Hill also hit a batter but got the final out of the inning. Solid effort by Hill, but Toledo needs to score at least three runs to tie the game and help take Hill off the hook.

EIGHTH INNING

The Mud Hens break through for a run ... but have another runner thrown out at the plate to end the inning. Toledo strung together singles by Brad Davis and Argenis Diaz and a bunt single by Gustavo Nunez to load the bases with two outs, and Ramon Cabrera lined a single to center. Davis scored easily, but Diaz was thrown out at the plate on a strong throw by Charlotte's Blake Tekotte in center. We head to the ninth with the Knights leading 3-1.

Again Shawn Hill allows a baserunner, with a leadoff single, but again he also quickly got a double play to erase the runner. Hill has thrown 93 pitches, 63 for strikes, in eight strong innings. But the Mud Hens have to find some offense, and time is running out.

SEVENTH INNING

Nice at-bat by Ramon Cabrera to start the inning in drawing an eight-pitch walk. It contributed to an 18-pitch inning for Jason Berken, but Cabrera never moved off first base. We've only played 90 minutes as we move to the eighth, and Charlotte leads 3-0.

Charlotte may have broken the game open with two runs in this inning. Shawn Hill gave up a single and a one-out walk before Drew Garcia lined a ball down the left-field line that rattled into the corner, allowing both baserunners to score. Hill stranded Garcia on third base, but the damage may be done, considering the struggles of the Toledo offense today. We move to the seventh-inning stretch with the Hens trailing 3-0.

SIXTH INNING

Stop me if you've heard this one before. Jason Berken retired the Hens in 1-2-3 order on just 10 pitches. He's at 60 pitches through six, carrying a one-hitter. Charlotte 1, Mud Hens 0 as we move to the seventh.

Even though Shawn Hill gave up a one-out single, he needed just five pitches to retire the Knights without incident. He also helped himself by covering first base on a sharp 3-6-1 double play. Hill is at 68 pitches through six, which is a very good pace.

FIFTH INNING

Good news: The Mud Hens generated a hit thanks to Jordan Lennerton, who led off with a single. Lennerton then moved to second on a wild pitch, but the next three batters were retired quickly -- it took just 10 pitches for the entire inning. We move to the sixth and Charlotte still leads 1-0.

Another quick inning for Shawn Hill, who needed just seven pitches to retire the Knights on just seven pitches. Hill now has thrown 63 pitches through five innings, so he's back on track for a more innings. But the Hens still need to start generating some offense.

FOURTH INNING

Another quick inning for Charlotte's Jason Berken, who retired the Mud Hens in order on just 10 pitches. The only Mud Hens baserunner reached on a walk (GET THE HINT?), and Berken has needed just 40 pitches through four innings. The Knights lead 1-0 as we move to the fifth.

Just what the doctor ordered for Shawn Hill in the fourth: A 1-2-3 inning that took just seven pitches. Now Hill is at 56 pitches through four innings, and that's a better pace to pitch deeper into the game.

THIRD INNING

The Mud Hens offensive struggles continue as they were retired 1-2-3. What's more, Charlotte starter Jason Berken threw just nine pitches, all strikes, to set down the Hens in order. Through three innings, Berken has needed just 30 pitches ... if he continues that pace, he could cover all nine. We head to the fourth with the Knights leading 1-0.

Toledo's Shawn Hill found more trouble in the third, but this time he was able to pitch around it. With one out he gave up back-to-back singles, but he got a fielder's choice for the second out and a flyout to end the inning. The only bad news to this point is that Hill has thrown 49 pitches through the first three innings, which is a pace to see him only cover six innings, putting a little extra pressure on the bullpen.

SECOND INNING

The Mud Hens saw a potential rally blunted by a baserunning mistake. With one out Charlotte's Jason Berken walked Ben Guez on four straight pitches. The next batter, Danny Dorn, hit a soft liner to shortstop, but Guez was tardy in returning to first base and was doubled off to end the inning. The Knights lead 1-0 as we head to the third.

Shawn Hill got into trouble, nearly escaped, but eventually allowed a run. Hill gave up a leadoff double to Seth Loman, then threw a wild pitch to put a runner on third base with nobody out. The Hens kept the infield back (too early to try and throw the runner out at first with no one out), but Loman didn't try to score on a grounder to first base. A soft lineout gave Hill a second out, but Jim Gallagher lined a single through the hole at shortstop to score the run. The Knights lead 1-0 as Toledo comes to bat in the second.

FIRST INNING

Charlotte starter Jason Berken also mowed down the Mud Hens in the first, throwing all eight of his pitches in the inning for strikes. He struck out the first two batters Gustavo Nunez and Ramon Cabrera) on just six pitches. No score as we head to the second.

Toledo starter Shawn Hill retired the Knights in order in the first inning, taking just 10 pitches (seven strikes to do so).

PRE-GAME NOTES

• As you probably noticed, Avisail Garcia was taken out of the lineup in favor of Ben Guez. Garcia was part of a collision in right field on Friday night and did not play Saturday. Garcia wanted to play today but was not 100 percent (although he is close), so manager Phil Nevin will err on the side of caution and sit him for another day.

This doesn't seem to be a serious injury. In fact, Garcia was working in the outfield prior to the game, tracking fly balls in left field along with Nick Castellanos. If he is well enough to do that, I would guess he is very close to returning to the lineup.

• I won't bore you with what seems to be a daily update on Danny Worth and Pat Misch. Suffice it to say neither one will be returning in the immediate future.

• The news is good for Tigers LHP Phil Coke, who is with the Mud Hens again today. Coke, who is recovering from a groin injury, has been working out in Toledo since Detroit went on the road. He threw a bullpen session Saturday and said that he would throw a brief side session before today's game. If he didn't have any problems, Coke will throw an inning for the Mud Hens on a rehab assignment on Monday.

• Quintin Berry continues to be day-to-day after he was hit by a pitch just above the right arm in Friday's game. The fact that Berry has not been placed on the disabled list speaks to the fact that the Hens that he will return to action soon.

POST-GAME UPDATE: Coke will indeed begin a rehab assignment with the Mud Hens by pitching one inning in the team's game against Rochester Monday starting at 6:30 p.m.

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Mud Hens in-game blog -- May 3

Post-game injury updates

Adding insult to injury following the Mud Hens 10-2 loss to Charlotte were potential injuries to Quintin Berry and Avisail Garcia.

Quintin Berry was hit by a Daniel Moskos pitch with one out in the seventh inning. The pitch seemed to strike Berry on the right arm just above the elbow; Berry started walking away from home plate, but quickly fell to his knees.

Berry came out of the game at that point.

"Those really hurt -- that's the worst place to get hit by a pitch," Mud Hens manager Phil Nevin said afterwards. "It caught him right above the elbow, and that [injury] usually takes a few days [to heal].

"It swelled up, so he probably will be out a few days. He could pinch-run, and he could in an emergency play defense. But it's going to hurt swing a bat for a few days."

Avisail Garcia was part of a collision with second baseman Brandon Douglas in shallow right. Both players converged on a popup, and when Douglas went for the ball, Garcia hit the grass.

Douglas rolled over the top of Garcia, with his feet flying up in the air. Both players were down briefly, with Douglas getting up first. Garcia spent some time in the outfield before eventually moving back to the dugout.

"I think we got lucky with Garcia," Nevin said. "I think his finger pushed back a little bit. I think he will be able to play [Saturday]. The plan would be for him to play [Saturday]."

Click here to read Friday night's in-game blog.

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Mud Hens in-game blog -- May 3

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A few thoughts from Thursday

Mud Hens put Misch on DL

The Mud Hens suffered the second blow to their rotation in a week's time when LHP Pat Misch was placed on the disabled list Sunday, April 28.

Pat Misch made five starts for the Mud Hens before suffering an undisclosed injury, posting a 1-3 record and 6.00 ERA.

In 24 innings of work, the lefty gave up 29 hits and 11 walks that resulted in 21 runs, 16 of which were earned. He struck out 20.

In his last start, which came at Durham April 25, Misch gave up six hits and four walks that resulted in six runs, five of which were earned, in just five innings. Misch, who struck out two in that start, was credited with the win as the Hens outslugged the Bulls 9-7.

There's no official word on who will replace Misch in Toledo's rotation, but an educated guess would point to Erie RHP Derek Hankins.

Hankins is 1-1 with a 3.06 ERA in three starts for the SeaWolves ... and, most tellingly, he has not pitched since April 23 -- and is listed as Erie's starter Tuesday. There's no guarantee, of course, but Hankins does make sense.

This season Hankins has allowed 16 hits and two walks in 17.2 innings for Erie, fanning 12 along the way.

Hankins spent most of his career in the Pittsburgh organization, making three late-season starts for Indianapolis in 2010. He spent the past two seasons with the Rangers organization, pitching for Triple-A Round Rock in the Pacific Coast League in both years.

In 2010 he was 7-6 with a 5.89 ERA, and last season Hankins when 6-7 with a 4.99 ERA.

UPDATED AT 11:45 A.M. -- I just received official word that Hankins indeed has been promoted to Toledo. I'm going to assume that, since he has been a starter for Erie, he will start Tuesday for the Hens in Norfolk.

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Hens roster update: Ni released, Bootcheck lost for season

Two pitchers who began the season with the Mud Hens will not return to action this season.

This afternoon the Tigers announced that they had released LHP Fu-Te Ni, who has been on the Mud Hens' disabled list since May 20.

Ni began this season with the Hens but went on the DL April 18 with shoulder problems. He came off the disabled list April 28 but went back on the DL May 20 with elbow problems (specifically, a strained UCL).

Soon after that Ni had season-ending elbow surgery.

Ni pitched in seven games for Toledo this season, making five starts, and had a 2-2 record with a 4.56 ERA.

This was the fourth consecutive season Ni spent time with the Mud Hens. In 2009 he was 3-0 with a 2.60 ERA in 24 appearances but also pitched with Detroit and was 0-0 with a 2.61 ERA in 36 games.

In 2010 he was 0-1 with a 6.65 ERA with the Tigers and was sent to Toledo, where he went 0-0 with a 7.50 ERA.

Ni spent all of last season with the Mud Hens, beginning the year in the bullpen before making a mid-season splash as a starter. He pitched in 34 games for Toledo, making 12 starts, and was 6-3 with a 3.24 ERA.

Also today RHP Chris Bootcheck learned that his season is likely over because of the injury he suffered in Sunday's game.

Bootcheck made a diving catch of a popped bunt in the contest, but had to leave the game after making the play. Doctors indicate that Bootcheck suffered a broken left humerous as well as damage to the labrum of his left, or non-throwing, shoulder.

Bootcheck had served as Toledo's closer this season and had a 2-5 record with 17 saves, the second-highest total in the International League, and a 4.06 ERA. Toledo's representative in the Triple-A All-Star Game, Bootcheck had 53 strikeouts in 44.1 innings this year.

Mud Hens to lose Bootcheck, add Rondon

The Mud Hens lost more than a game when they suffered a 10-9 setback in 19 innings against Rochester Sunday.

Mud Hens closer Chris Bootcheck suffered an injury to his left shoulder while diving to make an amazing catch on a bunt by the Red Wings' Ray Chang in the top of the eighth inning Sunday night.

The play came with the scored tied at 6-6, and Rochester threating to break the tie with runners on second and third base with only one out. Chang tried to lay down a safety squeeze bunt and lifted a short pop up between the mound and the plate. Bootcheck made a fine diving catch of the bunt to get the out and keep the potential go-ahead run from scoring, but was in obvious pain after the catch and had to leave the contest.

Bootcheck had served as Toledo's closer this season and had a 2-5 record with 17 saves, the second-highest total in the International League, and a 4.06 ERA. Toledo's representative in the Triple-A All-Star Game, Bootcheck had 53 strikeouts in 44.1 innings this year.

There has been no official word on Bootcheck's injury.

Detroit announced today that RHP Bruce Rondon has been promoted to Toledo. Rondon is a 6-2, 265-pound right-hander who has emerged as one of the Tigers' top relief prospects this season thanks in part to a fastball that touches 100 mph.

Rondon began the season with Hi-A Lakeland and dominated the Florida State League, posting a 1-0 record with 15 saves and a 1.93 ERA in 22 appearances. The native of Venezuela struck out 34 and walked 10 in 23.1 innings with the Flying Tigers.

Rondon was promoted to Double-A Erie on June 20 and promptly began to dominate the Eastern League. He was 0-1 with 12 saves and a 0.83 ERA in 21 games, fanning 23 and walking nine in 21.2 innings with the SeaWolves.

UPDATE: Chris Iott of MLive.com has confirmed through Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski that Bootcheck has been placed on the Mud Hens' disabled list.

UPDATE: The Mud Hens have announced that Rondon will join the team on Tuesday in Louisville.

Notes and quotes from Andy Dirks following Mud Hens game Sunday

Andy Dirks began a rehab assignment with the Mud Hens on Sunday, going 1-for-3 with an RBI single in Toledo's 7-6 loss to Indianapolis at Fifth Third Field. Here's a look at the performance, as well as a few quotes from Dirks.

First, Dirks didn't see many pitches. In his first at-bat he fouled off three pitches from Indianapolis starter Daniel Cabrera and worked a 2-2 count before lining a solid single to center for an RBI. In the second he swung and missed a Cabrera offering before grounding out to first, and in the fifth he took a ball and a called strike before again grounding out to first.

"It was good to get out there and play," Dirks said afterwards. "I had a good time, and there's a good group of guys here. I enjoyed it until the end of the game. That's baseball. Things happen."

Of course, the "end of the game" was the eighth-inning three-run homer by Indianapolis that gave the Indians the come-from-behind victory.

Defensively he played center and had only one fly ball -- which came from the first batter of the game. Anderson Hernandez lifted a fly ball to center that Dirks seemed to lose momentarily, but caught without a problem.

"The sun was out, but I blocked the sun. I saw it pretty much the whole way," Dirks said.

Dirks played five innings for the Hens Sunday, and he is expected to play seven innings when Toledo hosts the Indians Monday night in a 7 p.m. start. Dirks also will play for the Hens when they begin a series in Columbus Tuesday, with the goal of having the 26-year-old able to play nine full innings in the outfield.

"I'm just trying to get back to where I feel I am 100 percent while on a baseball field," he said. "You can do all the rehab you want, but until you're playing in a game you don't know how it's going to react. The plan sounds good to me, so we'll try to ease into it."

Dirks hasn't played since May 31 because of a sore Achilles tendon that pushed him onto Detroit's disabled list for the last two months. Before that time Dirks had hit .328 with four home runs and 16 RBIs in 37 games for the Tigers.

"Every injury is frustrating, because it keeps you from playing," he said. "But this one kind of built up over time, and I didn't think it would take this long [to come back], so that made it worse. It was a slow-healing injury, but now it's feeling good.

"You know you're feeling good, but you're never sure until you go out there. Your mind tells you one thing, because you're used to it hurting and favoring it a little but. But you have to get to a point where you don't think about it. And you can only do that on a baseball field."

Dirks said he has been happy for the Tigers' recent success, but he hopes to become a contributor against soon.

"It's tough to watch the team play when you're hurt, but you're not doing yourself any good if you rush it back, and you're not doing the team any good if you try to play when you can't. Hopefully I'll get into a groove and get back to Detroit."

Dirks said the rehab assignment will be judge by how he feels AND how he plays.

"It's both," he said. "I haven't had any at-bats in a couple of months, so I need to get some at-bats and see pitching coming at me. You can take [batting practice] and ‘front toss' and all that, but until you face live pitchers it's hard to get into a rhythm and into a groove."

Click here to read the in-game blog from Sunday's game.

More roster mayhem for Hens

The Mud Hens roster had seen several additions and subtractions when Toledo began its four-game series in Buffalo Tuesday night, and more changes have taken place in the last 24 hours.

Click here to read about the changes entering the series with the Bisons.

Here's a look at the recent moves ...

1. LHP Fu-Te Ni, who was placed on the temporary inactive list before the series began, has come off that list and is back on the active roster.
2. RHP Chance Ruffin was lost when it was announced that he was the Player To Be Named Later in the Seattle trade for Doug Fister.
3. LHP Ramon Garcia was sent back to Double-A Erie after his spot start for the Hens Aug. 16 (Tuesday). Has any pitcher flown under the radar more than Garcia, who is 0-3 but has a 3.86 ERA in seven appearances with Toledo, including a 2.73 ERA as a starter.
4. LHP Adam Wilk was placed on the disabled list retroactive to Aug. 16 with a left elbow problem. No word yet on how series the injury is.
5. RHP Robbie Weinhardt was promoted from Erie to help in the bullpen. Weinhardt was in Detroit for the Tigers' home opener, but he was sent to Toledo and struggled, then sent to the SeaWolves in mid-June. In July Weinhardt had a 2.25 ERA, but he has allowed four runs in three August appearances to give him a 4.05 ERA with Erie. With Toledo he was 1-3 with a 7.40 ERA in 18 appearances.
6. LHP Shawn Teufel was promoted from Hi-A Lakeland and will start for the Mud Hens tonight at Buffalo. Teufel was 4-3 with a 3.63 ERA in 19 appearances with the Flying Tigers, including seven starts. In those seven starts, Teufel was 2-3 with a 4.89 ERA. Ironically, Teufel will make his Triple-A debut against Buffalo, which is managed by his father, former Mud Hen Tim Teufel.

More details when they happen ...