Coop Scoop

Parrish named to International League Hall of Fame

Former Mud Hens manager Larry Parrish has been elected to the International League's Hall of Fame, the league announced Tuesday.

The winningest manager in Toledo professional baseball history with 569 victories, Parrish served as the Mud Hens manager for a record eight seasons, highlighted by back-to-back Governors' Cup championships in 2005 and 2006. Parrish ranks fifth among all-time Toledo managers in winning percentage (.508) with his career record of 569-551.

Parrish first managed the Mud Hens in 1994, when he took over for Joe Sparks and led that team to a 56-62 record. He returned as Toledo's manager in 2003 and led the Mud Hens through 2010 -- missing the 2007 season because of health problems.

In 2005 Parrish led the Hens to an 89-55 record, the best mark in Triple-A baseball, and the franchise's first Governors' Cup title since 1967 (and just the second overall). He was named IL manager of the year and The Sporting News named him minor league manager of the year after that season.

The next season Parrish and the Hens posted a 76-66 record and tied for first in the IL's West Division. After winning a one-game playoff with Indianapolis to earn a playoff berth, Toledo beat Charlotte and Rochester to claim a second straight Governors' Cup.

Parrish, who also managed the Tigers in 1998-99, departed Toledo in 2011 to become hitting coach for the Atlanta Braves, but he rejoined the Detroit organization and next season he will manage the Hi-A West Michigan Whitecaps.

Parrish played 15 seasons in the major leagues with Montreal, Texas and Boston. He hit 256 home runs in his career and was selected to all-star teams in 1979 and 1987.

The two other members of the IL's Class of 2013 are outfielder Mack Jones and third baseman Don Richmond, both of whom will be inducted posthumously.

Mud Hens release 2013 schedule

Today the Mud Hens released their 2013 schedule, announcing that the 2013 home opener will be played on Thursday, April 11 against Louisville starting at 5 p.m.

The Hens will start the 2013 season on the road in Louisville on Thursday, April 4. That will be the first of four games against the Bats, followed by three in Indianapolis before the home opener kicks off a nine-game homestand.

Here are a few items of interest from the schedule ...

1. The Mud Hens will play 33 of its 72 home games on weekend dates in 2013 -- 12 are scheduled for Fridays, 11 for Saturdays and 10 on Sundays.
2. Toledo will be home for nine games in April, 17 games in May, 13 games in June, 14 games in July and 19 games in August, with the season ending on Saturday, Aug. 31 against Columbus.
3. There are three School Celebration Days on the schedule: Wednesday, May 15 versus Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and Monday-Tuesday, May 20-21 against Syracuse.
4. The only holiday games the Hens will play at home are on the Fourth of July (Thursday) against Columbus.
5. The Mud Hens list 23 fireworks dates (more could be added, of course). The first fireworks are set for Friday, May 31 ... and there will be fireworks for every home Friday, Saturday and Sunday game for the rest of the season. There will NOT be fireworks for the July 4 game, according to this schedule.
6. There are just five afternoon games, ignoring the School Celebration Days (which technically are morning games). The Sunday games in April (April 14) and May (May 5 and May 19) will start at 2 p.m., while the Monday, June 24 game against Pawtucket and the Monday, July 29 game against Buffalo starting at noon.
7. Speaking of Pawtucket, here's something I haven't seen in a LONG time: The Mud Hens will host Pawtucket June 21-24, then hit the road ... to travel to Pawtucket, to play four more games against the Red Sox. Those are the only eight meetings of the season between the two teams, and they happen in eight straight days.

The 2013 season will mark the 27th consecutive season the Mud Hens have served as the Triple-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, as well as the 12th season the team will play at Fifth Third Field. 

Single game tickets for the 2013 season will go on sale at a later date.

Mud Hens 2013 schedule
Thursday, April 4 - at Louisville
Friday, April 5 - at Louisville
Saturday, April 6 - at Louisville
Sunday, April 7 - at Louisville
Monday, April 8 - at Indianapolis
Tuesday, April 9 - at Indianapolis
Wednesday, April 10 - at Indianapolis
Thursday, April 11 - LOUISVILLE, 5 p.m.
Friday, April 12 - LOUISVILLE, 7 p.m.
Saturday, April 13 - LOUISVILLE, 6 p.m.
Sunday, April 14 - LOUISVILLE, 2 p.m.
Monday, April 15 - INDIANAPOLIS, 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 16 - INDIANAPOLIS, 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 17 - INDIANAPOLIS, 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 18 - COLUMBUS, 6:30 p.m.
Friday, April 19 - COLUMBUS, 7 p.m.
Saturday, April 20 - at Columbus
Sunday, April 21 - at Columbus
Monday, April 22 - at Columbus
Tuesday, April 23 - at Durham
Wednesday, April 24 - at Durham
Thursday, April 25 - at Durham
Friday, April 26 - at Durham
Saturday, April 27 - at Norfolk
Sunday, April 28 - at Norfolk
Monday, April 29 - at Norfolk
Tuesday, April 30 - at Norfolk

Thursday, May 2 - CHARLOTTE, 6:30 p.m.
Friday, May 3 - CHARLOTTE, 7 p.m.
Saturday, May 4 - CHARLOTTE, 7 p.m.
Sunday, May 5 - CHARLOTTE, 2 p.m.
Monday, May 6 - ROCHESTER, 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, May 7 - ROCHESTER, 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, May 8 - ROCHESTER, 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 9 - ROCHESTER, 6:30 p.m.
Friday, May 10 - at Indianapolis
Saturday, May 11 - at Indianapolis
Sunday, May 12 - at Indianapolis
Monday, May 13 - at Indianapolis
Tuesday, May 14 - SCRANTON/WILKES-BARRE, 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, May 15 - SCRANTON/WILKES-BARRE, 10:30 a.m.
Thursday, May 16 - SCRANTON/WILKES-BARRE, 6:30 p.m.
Friday, May 17 - SCRANTON/WILKES-BARRE, 7 p.m.
Saturday, May 18 - SYRACUSE, 7 p.m.
Suuday, May 19 - SYRACUSE, 2 p.m.
Monday, May 20 - SYRACUSE, 10:30 a.m.
Tuesday, May 21 - SYRACUSE, 10:30 a.m.
Thursday, May 23 - at Gwinnett
Friday, May 24 - at Gwinnett
Saturday, May 25 - at Gwinnett
Sunday, May 26 - at Gwinnett
Monday, May 27 - at Charlotte
Tuesday, May 28 - at Charlotte
Wednesday, May 29 - at Charlotte
Thursday, May 30 - at Charlotte
Friday, May 31 - LOUISVILLE, 7 p.m.

Saturday, June 1 - LOUISVILLE, 7 p.m.
Sunday, June 2 - LOUISVILLE, 6 p.m.
Monday, June 3 - LOUISVILLE, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, June 4 - at Columbus
Wednesday, June 5 - at Columbus
Thursday, June 6 - COLUMBUS, 7 p.m.
Friday, June 7 - COLUMBUS, 7 p.m.
Saturday, June 8 - at Rochester
Sunday, June 9 - at Rochester
Monday, June 10 - at Rochester
Tuesday, June 11 - at Rochester
Thursday, June 13 - at Syracuse
Friday, June 14 - at Syracuse
Saturday, June 15 - at Syracuse
Sunday, June 16 - at Syracuse
Monday, June 17 - LEHIGH VALLEY, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, June 18 - LEHIGH VALLEY, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, June 19 - LEHIGH VALLEY, 7 p.m.
Thursday, June 20 - LEHIGH VALLEY, 7 p.m.
Friday, June 21 - PAWTUCKET, 7 p.m.
Saturday, June 22 - PAWTUCKET, 7 p.m.
Sunday, June 23 - PAWTUCKET, 2 p.m.
Monday, June 24 - PAWTUCKET, noon
Tuesday, June 25 - at Pawtucket
Wednesday, June 26 -at Pawtucket
Thursday, June 27 - at Pawtucket
Friday, June 28 - at Pawtucket
Saturday, June 29 - at Lehigh Valley
Sunday, June 30 - at Lehigh Valley

Monday, July 1 - at Lehigh Valley
Tuesday, July 2 - at Lehigh Valley
Wednesday, July 3 - COLUMBUS, 7 p.m.
Thursday, July 4 - COLUMBUS, 6 p.m.
Friday, July 5 - INDIANPOLIS, 7 p.m.
Saturday, July 6 - INDIANAPOLIS, 7 p.m.
Sunday, July 7 - INDIANAPOLIS, 6 p.m.
Monday, July 8 - LOUISVILLE, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, July 9 - LOUISVILLE, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, July 10 - LOUISVILLE, 7 p.m.
Thursday, July 11 - at Columbus
Friday, July 12 - at Columbus
Saturday, July 13 - at Louisville
Sunday, July 14 - at Louisville
Thursday, July 18 - at Buffalo
Friday, July 19 - at Buffalo
Saturday, July 20 - at Buffalo
Sunday, July 21 - at Buffalo
Monday, July 22 - at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre
Tuesday, July 23 - at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre
Wednesday, July 24 - at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre
Thursday, July 25 - at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre
Friday, July 26 - BUFFALO, 7 p.m.
Saturday, July 27 - BUFFALO, 7 p.m.
Sunday, July 28 - BUFFALO, 6 p.m.
Monday, July 29 - BUFFALO, noon
Tuesday, July 30 - DURHAM, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, July 31 - DURHAM, 7 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 1 - DURHAM, 7 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 2 - DURHAM, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 3 - COLUMBUS, 7 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 4 - COLUMBUS, 6 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 5 - COLUMBUS, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 6 - at Columbus
Wednesday, Aug. 7 - at Columbus
Thursday, Aug. 8 - at Indianapolis
Friday, Aug. 9 - at Indianapolis
Saturday, Aug. 10 - INDIANAPOLIS, 7 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 11 - INDIANAPOLIS, 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 13 - NORFOLK, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 14 - NORFOLK, 7 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 15 - NORFOLK, 7 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 16 - NORFOLK, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 17 - GWINNETT, 7 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 18 - GWINNETT, 6 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 19 - GWINNETT, 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 20 - GWINNETT, 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 22 - at Louisville
Friday, Aug. 23 - at Louisville
Saturday, Aug. 24 - at Louisville
Sunday, Aug. 25 - at Louisville
Monday, Aug. 26 - at Indianapolis
Tuesday, Aug. 27 - at Indianapolis
Wednesday, Aug. 28 - INDIANAPOLIS, 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 29 - INDIANAPOLIS, 6:30 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 30 - COLUMBUS, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 31 - COLUMBUS, 7 p.m.

Monday, Sept. 1 - at Columbus
Tuesday, Sept. 2 - at Columbus

Bootcheck voted onto IL All-Star team

Mud Hens closer Chris Bootcheck has been selected to represent the International League in the Triple-A All-Star Game, which will be played in Buffalo on Wednesday, July 11.

The announcement was made by the International League Wednesday. The Pacific Coast League team will be announced Thursday.

Bootcheck was one of two relief pitchers who was elected to the team in a vote of fans (1/3 of vote), media (1/3 of vote), and both managers and general managers (1/3 of vote) from around the IL. Those three groups combined to name one player at each position (expect three in the outfield) as well as at DH, along with two starting pitchers and two relievers.

The rest of the team is selected by the IL Office, and all 14 league teams are represented. Bootcheck was the only Mud Hen named to the team.

The 33-year-old right-hander has a 1-2 record with 14 saves and a 3.62 ERA in 29 appearances for Toledo. His 14 saves are second-most in the IL this season.

Bootcheck's honor marked the third time in five seasons a Toledo closer was named to the IL All-Star team. Blaine Neal earned that honor in 2008 and Jay Sborz was named to the squad in 2010.

Click here to look at the entire IL roster for the game.

Roster move highlights new IL rule

The Mud Hens announced a roster addition today, adding LHP Ramon Garcia from Double-A Erie to the active roster.

The curious thing was, there was no corresponding move to open up a roster spot for Garcia. In other words, no one was sent to Detroit or Erie, or released, or placed on the disabled list, to make room for Garcia.

It turns out this move highlights one of the two new roster rules for International League teams this season.

The rule in this instance, according to Chris Sprague, the assistant to the president of the IL, is that teams are allowed to add a player if another player is in "limbo" over the next 24 hours. The team in question must make a move within 24 hours to open up the roster space.

In this case, the corresponding move has been known since the start of the season: The Tigers will promote LHP Drew Smyly Thursday to make his major-league debut against Tampa Bay at Comerica Park. Smyly won't pitch today, and Garcia will take Smyly's spot on the Mud Hens roster.

It's a terrific rule for International League teams. Often the Hens and other squads get caught a player short when there's a call-up and no replacement is available, and this helps solve that problem.

It's interesting to note that the Tigers have the option to do that again in the immediate future since LHP Adam Wilk will be called up by Detroit to start Saturday in Chicago against the White Sox.

I don't think it will happen, though, and here's why: The Tigers will be making a bunch of moves in the next few days, and I suspect the moves will involve sending players to Toledo. Detroit will have to make room on the roster for Smyly Thursday, for Wilk Saturday, and for Brandon Inge (who is rehabbing with the Mud Hens) very soon. Look for players to get sent down to the Hens to make room for those players.

Also, I am told that LHP Darin Downs, who is on the Mud Hens' roster but on the DL with a finger blister, will be available very soon, and could be activated to replace Wilk this weekend.

For those who follow such things, the other "new" rule for the International League is the addition of one roster spot for the year. Now IL teams can carry as many as 25 players, up one from recent seasons.

That also is a good move for the league, since it allows teams to carry an extra pitcher in situations where doubleheaders pile up as well as carry an extra position player so teams don't get caught short. In the past that would result in pitchers occasionally serving as DHs and position players playing out of position.

UPDATE: The Tigers announced that Smyly was being called up following their afternoon game against Tampa Bay. To make room for Smyly, Detroit announced that OF Clete Thomas was designated for assignment.

The logic behind the move was that Detroit needed to make room not only on the 25-man roster for Smyly, but also on the 40-man roster. Since Thomas was out of options (he could not be sent to Toledo without going through waivers), the Tigers designated him for assignment.

That means teams around MLB have 10 day to claim Thomas and add him to their 40-man roster. If no team claims Thomas, he can either become a free agent or accept an assignment to Toledo.

For those who want predictions on what Detroit will do with the other two moves: I have no insider information here, but I would guess the Tigers will option RHP Brayan Villarreal to Toledo when they promote Wilk, and Detroit will option Danny Worth to the Mud Hens when they activate Inge.

Hens blog -- Aug. 24, 2011

Welcome to Coop Scoop coverage of the Mud Hens' game against Buffalo coming to you live from Fifth Third Field. I'll share thoughts, stats, and anything of interest from the game (newest posts are at the bottom, so refresh frequently).

5:30 p.m. -- Welcome to tonight's blog ... The Hens haven't been gone long -- just two days, actually -- but there is a little news to catch you up. Hang onto your hats, here we go ...

5:35 p.m. --  OK, first here is the starting lineup for the Buffalo Bisons of manager Tim Teufel ... Leading off and playing SS is Jordany Valdespin, followed byLuis Hernandez at 2B, Zach Lutz at DH, Valentino Pascucci at 1B, Josh Satin at 3B, Jesus Feliciano in CF, Fernando Perez in LF, Raul Reyes in RF and Raul Chavez at C. On the hill for the Bisons is RHP Chris Schwinden. The Mud Hens are next ...

5:40 p.m. -- Now here is the starting lineup for the Toledo Mud Hens of manager Phil Nevin ... Leading off and playing CF is Jeff Salazar, followed by Danny Worth at 2B, Will Rhymes in LF, Ryan Strieby at 1B, Ben Guez in RF, Scott Thorman at DH, Audy Ciriaco at SS, Argenis Diaz at 3B and Max St-Pierre at C. The starting pitcher for the Mud Hens is LHP Fu-Te Ni. A few more notes are next, if you're ready ...

5:46 p.m. -- First, the biggest news of the day ... Mud Hens C Omir Santos seems to be on his way to Detroit. Tigers 1B Miguel Cabrera is taking paternity leave, and Santos would replace him on the roster. Why Santos for Cabrera? Tigers C Alex Avila is playing practically every day, so calling up Santos -- and giving him the start in Tampa Bay Thursday afternoon -- allows Avila to get a rest.

5:51 p.m. -- Also missing from the Mud Hens lineup tonight is OFs Andy Dirks and Timo Perez. Hens manager Phil Nevin said Dirks has a "hand issue" that makes him day-to-day, while Perez is just getting a day off.

5:55 p.m. -- I don't have a lot of links, but here's an important one ... here is a preview of this four-game series with Buffalo at Fifth Third Field. Click here to read the preview of the Buffalo series.

6:02 p.m. -- I need to sneak in a little dinner before the game starts ... speaking of links, click here to check out today's Mud Hens Mindbender.

6:14 p.m. -- Had to chuckle ... The Marines had a swearing-in ceremony before the game. After the new recruits were officially sworn in, the Hens' PA system played ... "Real American," which you may remember was Hulk Hogan's "entrance" music. In all seriousness, thanks to all of our Armed Forces world-wide for everything they do ...

6:21 p.m. -- Here are the weather details ... the game-time temperature is 91 degrees (where did that come from, by the way? It was warm today, but 91? Man, I wasn't ready for that). The winds are listed at 18 mph out of the southwest, meaning the wind was blowing out to right. The flags behind the right-field fence are moving a little, but not at 18 mph. I don't think the wind is going to be that big of a factor tonight.

6:26 p.m. -- Well, I'm going to get ready to track pitches for Mud Hens starter Fu-Te Ni in a moment ... But the one piece of "news" that I didn't pass along earlier: Toledo's "tragic" number for being eliminated from the Governors' Cup race is ONE. That means one more Mud Hens loss, or one more victory by Lehigh Valley -- the leader in the Wild Card race -- will officially eliminate the Hens from playoff contention.

6:43 p.m. -- Fu-Te Ni struggled in the first inning, allowing three runs on a two-out RBI single by Josh Satin and a two-run double by Jesus Feliciano. Ni threw 18 pitches in the first inning, 12 for strikes. His fastball sat at 86 mph (one at 88, one at 87, four at 86, two at 85 and two at 84), while his curveball sat at 76-77 mph (one at 73, one at 74, three at 76 and two at 77). The Mud Hens come to bat in the bottom of the first trailing 3-0.

6:51 p.m. -- Buffalo starter Chris Schwinden gave up a leadoff single to Jeff Salazar but otherwise retired the Mud Hens in order in the bottom of the first. Schwinden threw 14 pitches, 10 for strikes, in the first. Schwinden threw fastballs with 12 of his 14 pitches in the first, and the fastball sat at 89 mph (two at 91, one at 90, nine at 89). Schwinden's two curveballs sat at 75 and 77 mph, respectively.

7:04 p.m. -- Toledo starter Fu-Te Ni has struggled with his command so far, and it has cost him three runs. Usually Ni has been fairly solid with command, but at this point he has thrown just 58.3 percent of his pitches for strikes (that's low for him, usually at 63 percent). He bears watching the rest of the way.

7:15 p.m. -- MAX POWER! Big three-run second inning by the Hens ties the game at 3-3 at the end of the second. The big hit was a two-run homer by Max St-Pierre, but the big play came on a two-out RBI single by Argenis Diaz. With Scott Thorman at second base, Diaz lined the ball hard into center. Buffalo's Jesus Feliciano got to the ball quickly and threw to the plate, with the ball beating Thorman to the plate. But the ball pushed Bisons catcher Raul Chavez behind home plate, and Thorman tiptoed towards the plate, avoided the tag, and score the run. If he's out, St-Pierre doesn't even bat.

7:42 p.m. -- Hens SS Audy Ciriaco is struggling at the plate. He has struck out twice in this game and is 0-for-14 since joining Toledo. With the two strikeouts, Ciriaco has only three in those 14 at-bats, though. He basically has almost two weeks to make an impression with the Hens, so he needs to get rolling with the bat. We've finished four innings and it's Mud Hens 3, Buffalo 3.

8:01 p.m. -- Reports of Fu-Te Ni's death have obviously been greatly exaggerated ... He has retired 11 of the last 12 batters he faced. His only mistake was getting curve-happy to Jordany Valdespin in the fifth, and Valdespin lined the FIFTH he saw (out of six pitches) into the right-field corner for a double. Through five innings Ni has thrown 77 pitches, 49 for strikes. In the fifth inning, Ni's fastball sat at 85-86 mph (three at 85, two at 86), while his curve sat at 74-76 mph (one at 73, three at 74, one at 75, two at 76, one at 77). The Hens come to bat in the bottom of the fifth in a game that is still tied at 3-3.

8:13 p.m. -- Tonight's Racing With the Stars update ... It was back-and-forth until Jim Flealand took command at the end of the race and claimed the victory. Back to baseball ...

8:25 p.m. -- When Hens starter Fu-Te Ni lost it tonight, he lost it quickly. There were two outs and no one on in the bottom of the sixth when he gave up a hard single to Fernando Perez and a LONG home run to Raul Reyes -- his first home run of the season. After a line double into the left-center gap by Raul Chavez, Ni was replaced by Brendan Wise. Wise got the final out in the top of the sixth, and the Hens come to bat trailing 5-3.

8:43 p.m. -- The Mud Hens nearly let Buffalo off the hook in the bottom of the sixth, but Danny Worth bailed the Hens out with a grand slam! Here was the situation: Toledo got a single, a hit batsman and a bunt single (on a sacrifice attempt) to load the bases with no one out. But the Bisons got Max St-Pierre to fly out to shallow center (shortstop caught the ball) and Jeff Salazar to fly out to shallow center (centerfielder caught) to keep the runners in position. So the Bisons were about to wiggle out of the inning untouched when Worth hammered a pitch from Gustavo Chacin over the fence in left-center for his eighth home run this season. At the end of the sixth it's now Mud Hens 7, Buffalo 5.

8:52 p.m. -- A pet peeve, which you've probably noticed if you've followed the blog this season: allowing runs in shut-down innings. Buffalo violated this rule in the bottom of the sixth, ruining their two-run rally in the top of the sixth by allowing the Hens to score four times in the bottom of the frame. Toledo was a violator in the top of the seventh, though not as badly: After scoring four runs in the bottom of the sixth to turn a 5-3 deficit into a 7-5 lead, Hens reliever Brendan Wise gave up a run in the bottom of the seventh. Yes, the Hens still lead 7-6  as we enter the bottom of the seventh. But it's a little deflating to give up a run after you've just scored, even if you still have the lead. And a two-run lead is better than a one-run lead every time. Just sayin' ...

9:12 p.m. -- David Purcey pitches around a one-out walk to pitch a scoreless eighth, although he got a nifty backhand play by Danny Worth at second base for one out and a bang-bang 5-4-3 double play to end the inning. Purcey threw 12 pitches in his inning and a third of work (he also got the final out in the seventh on one pitch), and six were strikes. Purcey's fastball sat at 92-94 mph (one at 91, two at 92, three at 93, two at 94), while his breaking pitch (looked like a slider) sat at 83-86 mph (one at each of those four speeds). As we head to the bottom of the eighth, the score is Mud Hens 7, Buffalo 6.

9:24 p.m. -- The last time Enrique Gonzalez faced Buffalo he blew a save in a game the Bisons eventually won in 11 innings. No problems tonight, though, as Gonzalez struck out two of the three batters he faced in a 7-6 victory. I'm heading to the clubhouse, and I'll confirm Santos and Kunkel. Talk to you shortly!

9:50 p.m. -- Just confirmed that Omir Santos was promoted to Detroit "only for a day or two," according to manager Phil Nevin as Miguel Cabrera takes a paternity leave. Jeff Kunkel already has joined the Hens and will take Santos' spot on the roster.

9:55 p.m. -- "I think Enrique Gonzalez has blown only two saves all year, and in one of them -- last week in Buffalo -- we felt he had strike three and the game was over," Phil Nevin said. "For me, he's been outstanding in that role. To have a veteran guy like that at the back of the bullpen in that role is huge."

10:15 p.m. -- Just got word that Lehigh Valley beat Louisville 6-5 tonight. With that victory, the Mud Hens have officially been eliminated from the International League's Governors' Cup playoffs.

10:20 p.m. -- I suppose that's the note this should end on, isn't it. Thanks for following along!

Mud Hens' Below wins IL honor

Mud Hens LHP Duane Below was named International League pitcher of the week, the league office announced Monday.

Below, a native of Britton, Mich., allowed just two runs and nine hits in 14 innings last week while leading all IL pitchers with 16 strikeouts. The southpaw earned a win at Pawtucket May 3 after giving up just seven hits and two runs in six innings, then gave up just two hits and one run to Charlotte Sunday in a game the Mud Hens won in the bottom of the ninth.

For the season Below is 3-1 with a 2.97 ERA and has 31 strikeouts in 36.1 innings.

Below is the second Mud Hen to be honored by the International League in as many weeks after Andy Dirks was named IL player of the week last Monday.

LIVE CHAT: Mud Hens Season Preview

Join me live at 1 p.m. Thursday to discuss the upcoming season for Toledo.

 

What does it mean? Triple-A Championship on the move

I don’t like spreading rumors. But I sure do like explaining what those rumors could mean for the Mud Hens.

THE RUMOR: The Triple-A National Championship Game is moving from Oklahoma City to Albuquerque. Well, OK, it's not a rumor ... that was announced earlier this week.

THE BACK STORY: The Triple-A National Championship Game is a one-game, winner-take-all contest between the playoff champions of the International League and the Pacific Coast League. You may remember that the Mud Hens played in the inaugural contest at Oklahoma City's Bricktown Ballpark in 2006 (at that time the game was called the "Bricktown Showdown"). Oklahoma City has hosted the contest for the past five seasons, but last season the game's attendance was only 7,525 and in 2009 the game drew just 6,777 fans (by comparison, the 2006 game involving the Mud Hens was played before a sellout crowd of 12,572). Instead of having the game for several years, though, Albuquerque will host the game in 2011 only, with the host site rotating to other cities in a fashion similar to the Triple-A All-Star Game.

WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE MUD HENS:  Toledo might be a potential host for the Triple-A National Championship Game -- if the Mud Hens were to bid on the contest. Hens president and general manager Joe Napoli said a bid isn't forthcoming, though. "The Mud Hens are very hopeful that the Triple-A Championship Game continues to be successful," he said. "Although we are not interested in hosting the game in the near future, we will remain open to considering it down the road."