Lee and Cruz Homered, But Indians Prevail

The Toledo Mud Hens opened up early on Sunday thanks to back-to-back solo homers from Hao‑Yu Lee and Trei Cruz, but the Indians rallied back in dominating fashion late in a 6–5 series-clincher win, handing Toledo a 5‑games‑to‑1 series loss. In bowl‑over territory at Victory Field, Lee went deep for the second straight game, launching his 11th homer of the year into center field. Cruz followed in the second with his first Triple‑A home run, a 430‑foot blast that briefly had the visitors buzzing.

Mud Hens starter Wilkel Hernandez surrendered three runs in the fourth after settling in nicely through three, swinging momentum back to Indianapolis. Down 3–2, Toledo responded in the fifth: Eduardo Valencia ripped what looked like a homer to left-center, landing just shy of the wall for a double. A bases-loaded chase ensued, capped by a fielder’s choice error, bringing in two runs and tying the game at 5–3.

But Indy wasn’t done. Jordan Balazovic came in to relieve Hernandez and allowed a Breit walk and double that tied things. Then in the seventh, Alika Williams drove home the go-ahead run with an RBI double, handing the Indians a lead they’d hold until the final out. Toledo had a pair of runners aboard in the eighth and ninth but could not push across the necessary runs. 

Despite the loss, the bright spots loom large. Hao‑Yu Lee continues to crush at the plate and appears to be on track for a call-up as the Detroit Tigers push toward the stretch. Meanwhile, Trei Cruz flashed power in his first Triple-A homer, signaling potential impact to come. 

As the season series closes with the Indians winning 10 of 12 down at Indy and 11 of 18 head‑to‑head overall, Toledo now turns its focus to Fifth Third Field with eyes on regaining footing.