TOLEDO, OH. – A solo homer by Willi Castro in the bottom of the eighth inning propelled the Toledo Mud Hens (19-29) to a 5-4 victory over the Gwinnett Stripers (29-22) Tuesday night in the first of a three-game series at Fifth Third Field.
Scoring Recap: Toledo took an early 2-0 lead in the third on a two-RBI single to center by Jake Rogers off Patrick Weigel. However, a solo homer by Travis Demeritte (12) in the fourth off Tim Adleman and another by Rafael Ortega (11) in the fifth knotted the game at 2-2. Gwinnett took the lead in the top of the sixth as Sean Kazmar Jr. (6) drilled a two-run homer to left off Adleman to make it 4-2. In the seventh, Stripers reliever Grant Dayton gave up a two-run, game tying single to former Gwinnett player Dustin Peterson and then gave up the homer to Castro (3) in the eighth to put Toledo ahead 5-4.
Stripers Stats: Weigel went only 2.2 innings in his second start for Gwinnett. He gave up three hits and two runs while walking four. Ben Rowen pitched 3.2 innings in relief and gave up two runs on four hits. Dayton (L, 0-1) was tagged for one run and two hits in 1.2 innings of work. At the plate, Kazmar Jr. was 2-for-4 with a homer and two RBIs.
Mud Hens Stats: Adleman tossed 5.2 innings with six hits, four earned runs and three homers. Ethan DeCaster (W, 1-0) went 2.1 perfect innings with four strikeouts for the win. Eduardo Jimenez (S, 1) worked the top of the ninth with a walk and a strikeout for the save. Castro had the big night offensively for Toledo by going 3-for-4 with three runs and a solo homer. Daz Cameron was 2-for-2.
Postgame Notes: The Stripers now have hit an International League leading 91 homers in 51 games this season. The Stripers turned their first triple play of the season in the bottom of the second. They have also hit a club record 58 homers through 26 games in May (2.23 HR/game). Demeritte’s on-base streak is now at an International League best 30 games, and his hitting streak climbs to six games. Ortega is now on a nine-game hitting streak. Despite the loss, Gwinnett is sporting a .630 winning percentage at Fifth Third Field since 2009 (29-17).
Next Game (Wednesday, May 29): Gwinnett at Toledo, 10:35 a.m. at Fifth Third Field. RHP Huascar Ynoa (1-1, 4.50 ERA) for the Stripers vs. LHP Gregory Soto (NR) for the Mud Hens. Radio Broadcast: 10:20 a.m. on 97.7 and 93.5 FM “The Other Side of the River.”
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The Gwinnett Stripers are the Triple-A International League affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, playing their 11th season at Coolray Field in Lawrenceville, Ga. For tickets, team merchandise or more information, visit GoStripers.com. Follow the Stripers on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at GoStripers.