Mud Hens Inch Closer to Playoffs

The Toledo Mud Hens kept their playoff push alive with a dominant 11-4 victory over the Louisville Bats. With the win, Toledo moved one step closer to clinching a postseason berth.

The offense set the tone immediately, exploding for six runs in the first inning. Hao-Yu Lee, Max Anderson, and Justyn-Henry Malloy opened the game with consecutive singles before Eduardo Valencia drew a bases-loaded walk to get Toledo on the board. Jace Jung followed with a two-run single, and Gage Workman’s two-run triple blew the game open. Riley Unroe added an RBI single as the Mud Hens batted around and jumped out to a commanding 6-0 lead.

Jung added to the onslaught in the second inning with a three-run homer, his second big swing of the night, stretching Toledo’s advantage to 9-0. By the end of the evening, the Mud Hens had racked up 18 hits, including multi-hit performances from Lee, Jung, Workman, Valencia, and Unroe.

On the mound, starter Jordan Balazovic worked three innings with five strikeouts while allowing just one run. Chase Lee picked up the win out of the bullpen, striking out three in 1.2 scoreless frames. The relief corps carried the rest of the way, holding Louisville in check until a pair of late runs in the ninth.

The Mud Hens’ decisive win kept them firmly in control of their playoff destiny. With only a handful of games left on the schedule, Toledo sits on the verge of officially locking up a postseason spot.