Coop Scoop

Mud Hens in-game blog -- May 16

Here is pre-game and in-game information from the Mud Hens' game vs. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre at Fifth Third Field on Thursday, May 16. Make sure to press “refresh” for updates throughout the contest.

GAME INFORMATION

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (20-18)
at Toledo Mud Hens (13-28)

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.

NINTH INNING

Bruce Rondon hit the first batter he faced, but he got the next three out to nail down his eighth save. Rondon threw 11 pitches, eight strikes. He threw one fastball at 100

EIGHTH INNING

The Mud Hens get a two-out double by Kevin Russo, but that is it. Bruce Rondon comes on in the ninth in an attempt to nail down a 4-1 victory.

Brayan Villarreal returns for a second inning of work and gives up a leadoff single to Dan Johnson, a good 4-A hitter who worked a 3-2 count and lined the eighth pitch of the at-bat to right for a solid hit. Then Villarreal gave up a five-pitch walk to Thomas Neal to put the first two runners on base. Then Villarreal got a huge break when Melky Mesa hit a grounder right to third baseman Kevin Russo, who stepped on third and then threw to second base with a 5-4 double play that left a runner on first base. Then another walk for Villarreal before a flyout ends the inning. Entertaining, to say the least. Interesting, absolutely. Major-league ready? Ah, no.

SEVENTH INNING

The Mud Hens get that run back in the seventh, thanks in part of a nifty two-out at-bat by Jordan Lennerton. With two outs and runners on first and second, Lennerton fell behind 1-2, but managed to work the count full so the runners would be going on the pitch. Then he went with an outside pitch and grounded the ball through the hole at shortstop that scored the run. We move to the eighth and Toledo leads 4-1.

QUICK SCOUT ON VILLARREAL: Brayan Villarreal threw 10 pitches, five for strikes. Every pitch he threw was the fastball, which sat at 96-98 mph (two at 96, five at 97, three at 98). No breaking pitches.

The shutout by Derek Hankins ended on the first pitch of this inning, as Melky Mesa lined a home run just over the fence in left field. Hankins then gave up a couple of singles and a flyout to put runners on first and second with one out ... and Brennan Boesch coming up to face a new pitcher, Brayan Villarreal. Villarreal struck out Boesch, then walked Zoilo Almonte on four pitches to load the bases, then got a good defensive play by shortstop Argenis Diaz to get the final out. Toledo's lead over Scranton/Wilkes-Barre is now 3-1 as we hit the seventh-inning stretch.

SIXTH INNING

Toledo is retired quickly by Chien-Ming Wang, who needed just nine pitches in a 1-2-3 frame. Still Mud Hens 3, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre 0 as we move to the seventh.

Hens starter Derek Hankins got two outs before finding a little trouble as Ronnier Mustelier singled and Dan Johnson drew a walk. But Hankins got Thomas Neal to fly out to end the threat. For those wondering, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre's Brennan Boesch is 0-for-3 with a foul out on the infield, a groundout and an infield popout.

FIFTH INNING

The Mud Hens add another run, and again see a chance for a bigger inning wasted. With one out, a walk to Argenis Diaz, a single by Ramon Cabrera and an RBI single by Jordan Lennerton brought home the run. With runners on first and second, Chien-Ming Wang bounced a pitch up to the plate and the runners tried to advance, but Scranton/Wilkes-Barre catcher Jeff Farnham threw to second to catch the trail runner, Lennerton. Nick Castellanos grounded out to end the inning. Toledo leads 3-0 as we move to the sixth.

In game full of fast half-innings, Derek Hankins just posted the fastest so far. Hankins needed just six pitches to record a 1-2-3 inning. Hankins is at just 50 pitches through five innings, which is a fantastic pace -- if he keeps it going, which would be hard, he could easily throw a complete game. But that's down the road ... Hens come to bat, leading 2-0.

FOURTH INNING

A 1-2-3 inning for the RailRiders' Chien-Ming Wang, his first of the game. And he needed just 12 pitches to do it. Hens do have seven hits off Wang through four innings and lead Scranton/Wilkes-Barre 2-0 as we move to the fifth.

Another quick inning for Toledo's Derek Hankins, who needed just eight pitches to retire Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Hankins did give out a two-out double to Dan Johnson and then hit Thomas Neal with a pitch but got a popout to avoid trouble.

THIRD INNING

The Mud Hens scored a run in the third, but it could have been more except for a nifty double play by the RailRiders that ended the inning. Back-to-back leadoff doubles by Argenis Diaz and Ramon Cabrera scored one run, and a one-out single by Nick Castellanos -- off pitcher Chien-Ming Wang -- put runners on first and third with only one out. Danny Dorn hit a grounder to first base that Dan Johnson caught, touched first, then threw to the plate to cut down Cabrera. Toledo leads 2-0 as we move to the fourth.

A good inning for the Mud Hens' Derek Hankins, who retired the RailRiders 1-2-3 and needed only eight pitches to do it. Hankins is at only 36 pitches through three inning, which is a terrific pace.

SECOND INNING

The Mud Hens break through for a run off Chien-Ming Wong as Ben Guez singled, took second on a wild pitch, took third on a single by Kevin Russo, and scored on a sacrifice fly by Brad Davis. Toledo leads 1-0 as we move to third.

The RailRiders get runners on first and third after a single and an error. But Derek Hankins struck out both Melky Mesa and Jeff Farnham to keep the game scoreless. Hankins still has thrown 28 pitches through two innings, which isn't a bad pace. NOTE: Farnham is the starting catcher for the RailRiders, not Bobby Wilson as was posted on the original lineup. Wilson was a late scratch -- no reason was given.

FIRST INNING

The Hens got hits by Argenis Diaz and Nick Castellanos -- Castellanos lined a single to center -- but no runs. Toledo was aggressive at the plate, with the last three hitters swinging at the second pitch. We are scoreless as we move to the second inning.

Mud Hens starter Derek Hankins retired the RailRiders 1-2-3 in the first inning. Brennan Boesch got ahead of Hankins 2-0 but lifted a foul popout caught by Hens third baseman Kevin Russo. It took Hankins just nine pitches to retire Scranton/Wilkes-Barre -- good start for him.

STARTING LINEUPS

SCRANTON/WILKES-BARRE: Leading off and playing 2B is Corban Joseph, followed by Brennan Boesch in RF, Zoilo Almonte in LF, Ronnier Mustelier at 3B, Dan Johnson at 1B, Thomas Neal at DH, Melky Mesa in CF, Bobby Wilson at C, Reegie Corona at SS and RHP Chien-Ming Wang 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, Ben Guez in CF, Kevin Russo at 3B, Brad Davis at C, Gustavo Nunez at 2B and RHP Derek Hankins as the starting pitcher.

PRE-GAME NOTES

• Let’s start with an update on the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre roster, which has another familiar face: OF Brennan Boesch has joined the RailRiders and is starting in right.

• The Tigers made a move late Wednesday, calling up RHP Evan Reed to Detroit while optioning RHP Al Alburquerque to the Mud Hens. Reed is 0-1 with a 3.00 ERA in 14 appearances, allowing 18 hits and seven walks in 21 innings while fanning 28. After an implosion against Charlotte May 3, Reed has thrown 6.1 scoreless innings in his last three appearances, giving up three hits and two walks while collecting eight strikeouts.

• Alburquerque comes to Toledo with an 0-1 record and 3.14 ERA in 15 games with the Tigers. He allowed 13 hits and 13 walks (along with six wild pitches) in 14.1 innings, although he did have 26 strikeouts. Alburquerque gave up runs in each of his last three appearances, surrendering six hits and three walks that resulted in three runs in 2.1 innings.

• You will notice that Quintin Berry is in the starting lineup. Manager Phil Nevin said Berry is not injured, and since Scranton/Wilkes-Barre starter Chien-Ming Wang is a right-hander, this isn’t a righty-lefty matchup. Berry has struggled at the plate all season, hitting .206 in 25 April games before struggling even more in May, hitting .133 in 10 contests this month. The one good thing Berry is doing is drawing walks; he has eight walks this month and has 17 in 35 games, helping him overcoming a .189 season’s batting average to post a .293 on-base percentage.

• Finally, here are a few links from Wednesday’s game. Click here to read the game story. Click here to read the in-game blog. Click here to view Dave Zapotosky’s photo gallery from the game.

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Rondon returns to Toledo, Putkonen promoted to Tigers

The Tigers made another move after their loss to Minnesota on Wednesday, calling up RHP Luke Putkonen while optioning RHP Bruce Rondon back to the Mud Hens.

The reason Bruce Rondon was sent down was clear: He wasn't getting outs. In 2.1 innings with Detroit he allowed five hits and two walks that resulted in three earned runs. Rondon only had one strikeout.

Rondon pitched much better in his time with the Mud Hens, posting three saves and not allowing an earned run in 7.2 innings. In that span Rondon gave up just five hits and two walks while striking out nine.

Click here to read an analysis of Rondon when he was called up to Detroit.

Detroit called up RHP Luke Putkonen to fill Rondon's roster spot. Putkonen has been pitching well for the Mud Hens, posting a 1-0 record with two "holds" and a 2.16 ERA. In 16.2 innings the right-hander has allowed 14 hits and five walks that have resulted in six runs, four of which were earned.

Putkonen, who will turn 27 on May 10, has struck out 16 along the way. He is the 25th-best prospect in the Tigers' organization, according to Baseball America.

Here is a brief scouting report on Putkonen taken from his April 15 appearance against Indianapolis.

In that game Putkonen allowed one hit in 1.1 innings, striking out two. He threw 25 pitches, 16 of which were strikes.

Putkonen threw a fastball that acts like a sinker and sits at 93-94 mph (one at 92, two at 93, nine at 94, one at 95). Of his 13 fastballs, nine were strikes (four called, one swinging (for a strikeout), two fouled, two put in play (both outs).

Putkonen's change-up (it's really a split-finger pitch) that day sat at 82-85 mph (one at each of those four speeds). Of the four he threw, three were strikes -- one ended up in a swinging strikeout, one was fouled, and one was put in play for a single.

Putkonen also throws a curveball that sits at roughly 79 mph (two at 76, one at 78, four at 79, one at 80). Of the eight he threw, four were strikes (two called, one swinging, one fouled).

A few other Putkonen numbers ... His WHIP for this season is 1.14, and opponents are hitting .222 against him. Of the 270 pitches he has thrown, 164 have been strikes (60.7 percent). And here's one of his best numbers: He has inherited five baserunners, and none of them have scored this season.

Click here for a look at the Tigers' other two moves Wednesday.

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Two roster moves for Hens: Garcia added, Ortega promoted

Just because the Mud Hens don't have a game today -- it's their first "off" day since the season began on April 4 -- doesn't mean things aren't happening around the team.

In fact, this morning the Hens saw one player called up to Detroit and another added to the roster.

The Tigers called up RHP Jose Ortega from Toledo to replace LHP Phil Coke, who went on the disabled list Wednesday with a left groin strain. Coke's placement on the disabled list is retroactive to April 26.

Also, Detroit ended the rehab assignment of OF Avisail Garcia, took him off the disabled list, and optioned him to the Mud Hens.

First, a few words about Garcia ...

Garcia, one of the top prospects in Detroit's organization, bruised his left heel during spring training and was placed on the disabled list in mid-March. In mid-April he was cleared to resume baseball activities, and on April 25 he began a rehab assignment with Hi-A Lakeland in the Florida State League.

In six games with the Flying Tigers, Garcia hit .417 with a home run, four RBIs and a pair of stolen bases. He really got rolling in his last two games, going 7-for-9 (.778) with a home run and three RBIs.

Garcia began this season as the second-best prospect in the Tigers organization, according to Baseball America, trailing only new teammate Nick Castellanos. Last season the 21-year-old Garcia began the year with Lakeland and hit .289 with eight homers, 36 RBIs and 14 stolen bases in 67 games to earn a promotion to Double-A Erie, where he batted .312 with six homers, 22 RBIs and nine stolen bases in 55 games.

Late last season he was called up to Detroit and played in 23 regular-season games with the Tigers, hitting .319 with no homers, three RBIs and no stolen bases in 23 games.

Garcia stands 6-4 and weighs 240 points, and Baseball America likes his tools, including plus-power, a strong throwing arm, and good instincts running the bases.

One thing I think bears watching: Garcia has been primarily a rightfielder during his early career, but last season he played centerfield in 44 games for Erie and played all three outfield positions in Detroit. It's important that he continues his development, of course, but for this season it wouldn't surprise me if he played center in some Mud Hens games in case there is a need in Detroit.

Next, a few words about Ortega ...

In short, Ortega has been extremely impressive for the Mud Hens this season. In 10 appearances he has allowed just five hits and seven walks in 14 innings, giving up just one unearned run while striking out 19. He is 1-0 with one save and a 0.00 ERA.

Ortega has a .109 opponents' batting average, the fourth-best mark among relievers in the International League this season. His 7.71 baserunners allowed per nine innings ranks fifth in the IL.

One of the few concerns with Ortega has been a bit of wildness creeping into his numbers. In his first five appearances, Ortega allowed just two walks in 6.2 innings; in his last five games, the right-hander has issued five walks in 7.1 innings.

For the season Ortega has thrown 201 pitches, 125 of which were strikes (62.2 percent).

A quick bit of history on the 24-year-old Ortega: He pitched exclusively for the Mud Hens in 2011, posting a 1-3 record and 6.30 ERA primarily because he gave up 61 hits and 27 walks in 50 innings. He was better, but not great, with the Hens last year, going 5-8 with a save and a 5.74 ERA in 45 appearances. Ortega allowed 76 hits and 51 walks in 63 innings a year ago but did strike out 68.

Here is a look at two of Ortega's appearances with the Mud Hens this season ...

First, a reminder that I have not seen the Mud Hens since Friday, April 19, as they have been on the road for the past 11 days. They return home Thursday, for those of you who are interested.

Here's a quick analysis of two Ortega appearances: His inning of work on April 14 against Louisville, and one inning against Indianapolis on April 17.

First, it's worth noting that the first appearance was the last of his five strong, "in command" appearances, and the second was the first in that string of five where he started to struggle with throwing strikes. You will see the difference easily.

On April 14 Ortega needed just seven pitches to get three outs against Louisville, including one strikeout and two weak ground balls. Of his seven pitches, six were strikes. His fastball sat at 95-97 mph, although he threw one pitch at 92. He only threw one slider, at 85 mph, and got his strikeout with it.

It's worth noting that, even when Ortega is going well, his fastball isn't a "swing-and-miss" pitch. Of the five strikes he threw with the fastball, three were fouled off and two were put in play.

On April 17 Ortega pitched another scoreless inning, but this one took a little work. He needed 20 pitches to get three outs, giving up and a walk and a single. Of his 20 pitches, 10 were strikes.

I charted 18 of the 20 pitches Ortega that inning and recorded 11 fastballs (five for strikes) and seven sliders (three for strikes). The fastball again sat at 96-97 mph (three at 97, four at 96, one at 95, one at 94, two at 93), and again the fastball was not a swing-and-miss pitch (two fouled off, one taken, one put in play, one swung at and missed).

Ortega's slider sat at 83-85 mph (one at 82, three at 83, one at 84, two at 85), and three of the seven I recorded were strikes (one taken, one swung at and missed, one put in play for a single).

Here are a few comments from Mud Hens manager Phil Nevin about Ortega ...

"When I point to the bullpen, the pitcher who has emerged as a bright spot for me is Ortega," Nevin said. "He understands ... the importance of strikes. He can dial it down a little bit, get strikes with more movement on his pitches. He's got a devastating slider that can get swings and misses, similar to Al Alburquerque.

"[Tigers manager Jim Leyland] said it to me: You look at [Ortega's] stuff, and you wonder why the numbers are [what they are]. The reason is, more often than not the count is 1-0, 2-0, 3-1. Now he understands the importance of that first-pitch strike. He has come in and thrown strikes. He understands now that [hitters] are going to put the ball in play once in a while, and he understands the guys behind him are pretty good.

"He's still going to get strikeouts because of his 'stuff,' but he understands what is behind him. He can slow his motor down and throw strikes, and he's still going to get outs. Hitters aren't getting many good swings off him. ... He's repeating his pitches, and understanding how good his stuff is when he's under control. He's maturing -- remember, the guy is pretty young. He's starting to understand the 'pitching' side of things."

Wait ... the Tigers aren't finished making moves today. After Wednesday's loss to the Twins, Detroit optioned pitcher Bruce Rondon back to the Mud Hens and promoted RHP Luke Putkonen.

Click here to read about that transaction.

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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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Mud Hens add Weinhardt to roster

Mud Hens add Weinhardt to roster

The Mud Hens had an opening on the roster when the Tigers lost Duane Below on waivers.

That roster opening was filled today when Robbie Weinhardt was promoted from Double-A Erie.

Weinhardt, you may remember, pitched for the Mud Hens in both 2010 and '11. He also spent time with the Tigers both seasons, posting a 2-2 record with a 6.14 ERA in 28 appearances in 2010 and a 10.80 ERA in two appearances the next season.

Weinhardt was very good for the Mud Hens in 2010. In 24 games he went 1-1 with a save and a 1.57 ERA, allowing just 26 hits and seven walks while fanning 25 in 34.1 innings.

But the 27-year-old right-hander struggled the next season, going 1-4 with a save and a 6.49 ERA in 24 appearances. While the 34.2 innings is very similar to the previous season with Toledo, the 36 hits and 14 walks -- not to mention seven hit batsmen -- was not. Weinhardt had 31 strikeouts with the Hens that season.

Last year Weinhardt pitched exclusively with Double-A Erie and was solid, going 1-2 with seven saves and a 2.73 ERA in 44 games.

This season he had no record but a 5.19 ERA in seven appearances with the SeaWolves, giving up 13 hits and six walks while fanning eight in 8.2 innings.

Below claimed by Marlins

On Wednesday the Miami Marlins claimed LHP Duane Below off waivers. The Tigers put Below on waivers to make room on the 40-man roster for RHP Jose Valverde.

Duane Below had started this season very well for the Mud Hens, posting a deceiving 1-2 record and 2.10 ERA in four starts. Below allowed just 15 hits and four walks while striking out 15 in 25.2 innings.

The native of nearby Britton, Mich., has a WHIP (walks plus hits per innings pitched) of 0.74 for the Hens, which ranked fourth in the International League, and his 6.66 baserunners per nine innings ranked third-best amongst IL starters. Below allowed opponents to hit just .167 against him, and that ranked fifth-best in the league.

All four of Below's starts have been "quality" starts, meaning he allowed three earned runs or fewer while covering at least six innings.

The 27-year-old lefty has split time between Toledo and Detroit the past two seasons. In 2011 he began the year with the Mud Hens and posted a 9-4 record with a 3.13 ERA to earn a promotion to Detroit, where he went 0-2 with a 4.34 ERA.

Last season he was scheduled to again begin the season in Toledo but instead was called up to Detroit, where he was 2-1 with a 3.88 ERA before being demoted to the Hens, where he posted a 1-2 record and 6.23 ERA.

Here is a look at Below's April 17 start against Indianapolis ...

In that contest Below suffered a tough loss despite giving up just three hits and one walk in seven strong innings (the Mud Hens got shut out in a 2-0 loss). Below struck out five and threw 91 pitches, 62 of which were strikes (my counts); he threw first-pitch strikes to 15 of the 25 batters he faced, including 11 of the last 13 (all of which he retired, which probably isn't a coincidence).

Below threw a fastball that sat in the 86-89 mph range (one at 85, six at 86, six at 87, 18 at 88 and nine at 89 as well as one at 92). He threw strikes with 27 of the 41 fastballs charted (65.9 percent) and got eight of his outs with fastballs (three strikeouts) and gave up one hit with the fastball.

Below's change-up sat in the 80-83 mph range (five at 80, eight at 81, six at 82, six at 83 and two at 84). He threw strikes with 18 of the 27 change-ups charted (66.7 percent) and got four outs with the change-up (one strikeout) while giving up two hits (including the double down the third-base line that was the deciding hit in the contest).

Below's curveball sat in the 76-78 mph range (one at 74, two at 75, six at 76, two at 77, seven at 78 and two at 79). He threw strikes with 16 of the 20 curveballs charted (60 percent) and got six outs (one strikeout) while not allowing a hit with the curve.

I think it's also worth noting that Below got a swing-and-a-miss on just 11 of the 91 pitches he threw (12.1 percent of his pitches); six came on the fastball, four came on the change-up and one came on the curveball.

In short: Below commanded his curveball very well in this start, and he didn't give up a lot of well-struck balls. But he also didn't get many swings and misses. When he got ahead in the count early, he had significantly more success.

What will the Mud Hens do to fill Below's spot in the roster and in the rotation?

Let's handle the rotation first, because the answer (for now) is LHP Ramon Garcia, who is expected to take Below's scheduled start Saturday in Norfolk.

Garcia made his first appearance this season for the Hens Wednesday in Durham, allowing four hits and two walked that turned into a pair of earned runs in two innings, striking out one along the way?

This "spot starter" role is something Garcia has done for the Mud Hens the past two seasons.

As for filling the roster spot, my understanding is that Luis Marte is not ready to come off the disabled list, so he is not an option.

Looking at the Double-A Erie roster, there are a couple of veteran names worth looking at. My guess is that, because it is early in the season, the Tigers will not promote a young pitcher so early in the season unless they are dominating -- and so far, nobody is dominating (although several are doing well).

A few logical choices to look at are RHP Derek Hankins and LHP Will Startup.

Hankins has made three starts for the SeaWolves this season (his next start would be Sunday) and has a 1-1 record and 3.06 ERA. Hankins has allowed 16 hits and just two walks in 17.2 innings, striking out 12.

Hankins, who will turn 30 in July, spent much of his career in Pittsburgh's organization. He pitched briefly for Indianapolis in 2010, then spent most of the past two years with Round Rock in the Pacific Coast League. In '11 he was 7-6 with a 5.89 ERA with the Express, while last year he was 6-7 with a 4.99 ERA.

Startup has been used in relief by the SeaWolves and has three saves and a 1.65 ERA in six appearances. Startup has given up 14 hits and four walks in 16.1 innings, fanning 15.

The 28-year-old Startup has pitched in Triple-A with Richmond (2006-07), Portland in the PCL (2007-08) and Norfolk (2011). Last year he pitched for Sugarland, Texas, in the independent Atlantic League, posting a 3-2 record and 2.79 ERA.

 

Tigers promote Rondon

The Tigers announced today that they have promoted RHP Bruce Rondon from Toledo to take the roster spot of Octavio Dotel, who was placed on the disabled list with right elbow problems.

Rondon has appeared in seven games for the Mud Hens this season. His numbers include just five hits and two walks allowed in 7.2 innings, striking out nine along the way. Opponents are hitting just .179 against him.

The only negative number on Rondon's resume is inherited runners scored: He has inherited three, and all three scored.

Those three runs came against Indianapolis on April 15 when he entered the game in the eighth with the bases loaded and one out. He gave up an RBI single to Matt Hague (on a ball just to the left of third baseman Argenis Diaz that originally was ruled an error) and a two-run single to Jerry Sands (a hard line drive back up the middle) before getting two strikeouts.

In the ninth he gave up a leadoff single to Josh Harrison before getting three outs, two by strikeout (he struck out Brandon Inge and Brett Carroll).

"We've wanted to see him control the strike zone, and so far he has done that," Mud Hens manager Phil Nevin said of Rondon. "And other thing he's shown me since he's been here is a positive attitude."

I'll use that April 15 outing for a few Rondon numbers. He threw 32 pitches in that outing, 19 of which were strikes.

Rondon's fastball sat at 97-98 mph while touching 100-101 (one at 95, five at 97, six at 98, two at 99, three at 100 and one at 101). Of those 18 pitches, 12 were strikes (two swinging, one taken, five fouled and four put in play -- three singles and an out) and only one strikeout.

It's hard to tell from the press box, but I think Rondon was throwing a change-up (88-89 mph) and a slider (84-87 mph). Of the 14 "off-speed" pitches, seven were strikes (two swinging, five taken) with three of the strikeouts coming on this pitch. Pitch speeds included two at 84 mph, four at 85, three at 86, two at 87, one at 88 and two at 89.

"You're not going to get outs at the higher levels with just a fastball," Nevin said. "He's done very well getting his other pitchers over for strikes early in the count and late in the count.

"He's understanding the value of that first strike. He's understanding when to get the slider over for a strike. he's understanding the art of pitching; he's not just blowing away hitters in A-ball."

Nevin also said that, when Rondon finally earns the closer's job in Detroit, he will excel in that role.

"He's got that mentality," Nevin said. "The new-age computer people think you can mix-and-match at the end of a game, and I think that's absolutely assinine. Those are three special outs in a baseball game.

"Maybe it's because I played with one of the best closers in baseball history in Trevor Hoffman, and I played in the same era as Mariano Rivera. But those are three special outs, and it takes a special person to get them."

If you exclude Rondon's April 15 appearance, he allowed two hits and two walks while fanning five in six scoreless innings.

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Post-game look at Mud Hens loss to Indianapolis Monday

The Mud Hens saw Indianapolis score three times in the eighth inning and claim a come-from-behind 5-4 victory over Toledo at Fifth Third Field Monday.

Here are a few notes and numbers from the game, starting with a warning ...

• Consider yourselves warned, Brandon Inge haters. There will be a story about Inge in Tuesday's Blade.

Inge's numbers for the day: He was 1-for-4 at the plate in the contest with an RBI double high off the wall in int he first inning (nearly a home run). He walked in the third, then struck out three times -- once by Pat Misch, once by Evan Reed and once by Bruce Rondon.

On the season Inge is hitting .139 for Indianapolis. But that number is somewhat misleading, because Inge missed a portion of spring training because of a fractured scapula.

• With the struggles of Brayan Villarreal and the potential of an injury to Octavio Dotel, I've had several people ask me who the most-likely call-up is to replace one, the other or both. Before I reply, let me start with a disclaimer: At this point, there's no indication that a move is happening. OK?

So what I'm about to answer is the question, "IF the Tigers decided to make a move, who is most likely to be called up?" First, I would think it would be someone on the 40-man roster, which leaves six possibilities: LHPs Duane Below and Casey Crosby and RHPs Jose Ortega, Luke Putkonen, Evan Reed and Bruce Rondon.

Here are some numbers for each with the Hens ... Below has started twice and is 1-0 with a 2.19 ERA, having allowed six hits and one walk while fanning nine in 12.1 innings. Crosby has started twice and is 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA, having given up seven hits and eight walks while striking out nine in 7.0 innings. I'd say Below is a candidate, and Crosby is not at this point.

Among the four relievers, Ortega is 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA in five appearances, having given up three hits and two walks while striking out six in 6.2 innings. Putkonen is 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA in four appearances, having given up six hits and four walks while fanning eight in 8.1 innings. Reed is 0-1 with a 4.05 ERA in five appearances, giving up four hits and five walks with eight strikeouts in 6.2 innings. And Rondon is 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA in five appearances, giving up three hits and two walks while striking out seven in 5.2 innings. I'd say Ortega is clearly the strongest of the four candidates, and Reed is the weakest of the four candidates.

Something else to consider ... Putkonen went 1.1 innings Monday (and threw 25 pitches), Reed got one out Monday (on 14 pitches) and Rondon went 1.2 innings (and threw 32 pitches). All three will need at least one day off before they can pitch. Crosby is Tuesday's scheduled starter, Below would start Wednesday.

As for other options ... First, a reminder that Luis Marte is on the disabled list. As for non-roster candidates, Shawn Hill pitched Sunday and Pat Misch pitched Monday. Among the non-roster relievers, Kenny Faulk has allowed three hits and two walks while striking out eight in 4.1 innings in three games -- his first above the Double-A level. Matt Hoffman has given up two hits and one walk with four strikeouts in 2.1 innings. And Jess Todd, who does have major-league experience, has given up three hits but no walks with three strikeouts in 4.1 innings.

Remember, if a player who isn't on the 40-man roster has his contract purchased by the Tigers, Detroit must make room for him on the 40-man roster (and potentially lose a player). That makes it tougher for non-roster players to get called up.

Summary: I'd say Ortega or Below are the top options. Do you need a righty (Ortega) or a lefty (Below)? Do you need innings (Below) or a quick burst (Ortega)? Those are the criteria to decide.

• Saw Rondon pitch for the first time on Monday, and he was OK. But only OK, as he gave up three hits in 1.2 innings. He did strike out four, but he came in with three inherited runners -- and all three scored.

Rondon's pitch count was 32 pitches, 19 of which were strikes. He threw 18 fastballs (12 for strikes), and 14 breaking pitches, seven for strikes. Unfortunately, I'm about to start guessing -- remember, I'm charting pitches from the press box -- that five of those pitches were change-ups (two for strikes) and nine were sliders (five for strikes).

The fastball sat at 97-98 mph (five at 97, six at 98) and touched 99 twice, 100 three times and 101 once (there also was one at 95). The fastball produced two singles, one strikeout and one flyout. The change-up sat at 87-89 mph (two at 87, one at 88 and two at 89) and produced one strikeout. The slider sat at 84-86 mph (two at 84, four at 85, three at 86) and produced two strikeouts.

If you have comments and/or questions, leave them in the "post a comment" area below. I'm heading home momentarily ... I promise to respond Tuesday!

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Mud Hens post-game -- April 14

Here are a few notes following the Mud Hens' 2-1 loss to Louisville at Fifth Third Field Sunday ...

• Cincinnati fans, the answer to your questions about Tony Cingrani is ... unanswered. Louisville manager Jim Riggleman said starter Tony Cingrani was on a strict two-inning limit in Sunday's game against the Mud Hens. There is a possibility that Cingrani will replace Johnny Cueto in the Cincinnati rotation after Cueto was injured against Pittsburgh Saturday. Cueto's spot in the rotation comes Thursday.

"We had our instructions to limit Tony today," Rigglemen said after the game. "Tony will stay with us [in Columbus] and we will see what happens with Cueto If the prognosis on Cueto is not good, then maybe Tony will go. That's why we have to have [Cingrani] ready to pitch."

In his two innings of work, Cingrani did not allow a hit and struck out five. In 14 1/3 scoreless Triple-A innings this season, the 23-year-old lefty has allowed just three hits and two walks while fanning 26.

• Mud Hens OF Quintin Berry seemed to hobble after his at-bat in the sixth inning. After the game Berry had ice on his left knee, and he said he took a "false step" out of the batter's box on the groundout. He didn't seem to be 100 percent after the game, but Berry also said he doesn't expect the knee twinge to keep him out of the lineup.

• The Mud Hens added LHP Ramon Garcia to the roster. Garcia fills the spot that was opened when RHP Luis Marte went on the disabled list April 10. So if the Mud Hens need to activate RHP Jose Valverde, they now will have to make a roster move. Adding Valverde isn't something that is imminent ... Valverde is expected to pitch in an extended spring training game Monday, and his next step will be evaluated after that performance.

• Kudos to the Mud Hens organization for a little perk they gave both teams Friday. After both teams played through a cold, rainy and miserable Opening Day, the Mud Hens bought a special post-game spread for both teams. The Toledo players dined on food from The Beirut, while the Louisville players ate food from Outback Steakhouse.

• I wanted to share a great line by Mud Hens manager Phil Nevin from before the game. When he was asked about the unpredictability of the game of baseball, he said, "When you think the game starts making sense, you probably shouldn't be in it any more." Classic.

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Mud Hen Mindbender – April 9

In an effort to have a little fun with the Coop Scoop blog, I am producing a (somewhat) daily trivia quiz called "Mud Hen Mindbender." No prize; this is just a way to brighten up your day. Ready? Back from an extended hiatus, here we go ...

The Mud Hens home opener is coming up Thursday, so we’ll focus on the first game of last season at Fifth Third Field. Last year Toledo opened at home against Indianapolis and won 5-1. The Hens stole one of their league-best 154 bases in that game: Who stole the base?

The answer to Monday’s question? Last year Toledo opened at home against Indianapolis and won 5-1. How many players who saw action for the Mud Hens in that contest are currently on Toledo’s 2013 roster? Only three: Quintin Berry started in centerfield, Argenis Diaz started at shortstop and Jose Ortega pitched in relief for the Hens.

Do you think you know the answer to today’s question? At the bottom of this page give us your answer in the "Post a comment" box! I'll do my best to answer as quickly as possible, and I’ll post the answer tomorrow along with another trivia question. Looking forward to hearing from you!