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Iowa Cubs 3, Toledo Mud Hens 2: Cubs hold off a late Hens rally to seal the game
The Toledo Mud Hens faced off at home against the Iowa Cubs in front of a full crowd. (Photo: Tamara Forney)

Iowa Cubs 3, Toledo Mud Hens 2: Cubs hold off a late Hens rally to seal the game

TOLEDO, Ohio (BVM) — A warm Saturday evening saw two Minor League Baseball teams — the Toledo Mud Hens and the Iowa Cubs — face off in Toledo, Ohio in front of some excited fans. The teams dueled in Toledo for a sixgame series, of which this was game five. The Mud Hens were coming off of a 5-3 win from Friday night, which they hoped to follow up Saturday night in similar fashion. 

The Cubs were first up to bat to start the game and they came ready to play. Creating a less than ideal start for the Mud Hens, Iowa’s Ian Miller launched the ball out of the stadium into right field for the first home run and score of the game. The next hitter, Matt Duffy, stepped up to the plate and hit a bobbling ball to the shortstop which was collected and slung to the first baseman Aderlin Rodriguez. However, Rodriguez fumbled the pass and Duffy was safe at first. Toledo was looking a little shaky to start the game, but found its defensive presence soon after to close out the top of the first inning. 

Defense was the name of the game during this battle between these two MiLB teams, and that was apparent from Toledo Mud Hens manager, Tom Prince.

“Sometimes you got to tip your hat to the pitcher every once and awhile,” Prince said in a postgame press conference. “That’s a good left hander throwing 96 with a pretty good slider.” 

The second inning wasn’t as electric as the first for the Cubs as they hit only one single en route to the bottom of the second inning. Toledo struggled again to get its offense going this inning as they were struck out and thrown out at first twice.

The third inning saw more of the Cubs magic as outfielder Michael Hermosillo hit a rocket to left field for the second home run of the game. After a couple walks from Pedro Payano, and another defensive mix up in the infield, the Cubs had the bases loaded. 

However, the Cubs failed to convert their opportunity and Toledo scraped by, conceding just the one run. With Toledo up to bat, it seemed like more of the same with two batters striking out. But this time the Cubs made a few defensive errors of their own. After a mix up in the infield and a walked batter, Toledo finally had some life with runners on first and second. However, an errant fly ball to left field ended any hopes of converting the runners. 

After another stout defensive inning from both teams in the fourth, Hermosillo caught fans’ attention after he struck out and threw his bat at the ground. Hermosillo was then tossed from the game after a heated exchange with the umpire in a true display of sportsmanship.

After three quick outs from the Cubs in the fifth, it was time for Toledo to fire up its offense. Outfielder Christian Stewart smoked the incoming pitch out of the park into right field for the Mud Hens first score of the game. 

The Cubs fired back in the next inning through a base hit from Duffy to take a 3-1 lead. The Hens were still in their groove making some good hits, but the Cubs defense was there to impede them, converting a double play and an easy out at first off a hit from JaCoby Jones.

The Cubs started off hot again in the seventh, with Nick Martini and Trayce Thompson on first and third, but Toledo’s defense kept them at bay once again with a clutch strikeout on infielder Andrew Romine.

After another strong defensive inning from both teams, there was still a lot of game left to be had going into the ninth frame.

The Cubs went into the ninth inning looking to add to their lead, but everything seemed to go wrong for them after a quick three-and-out. With only two runs to go, the game was in sight for the Mud Hens. Rodriguez saw the light at the end of the tunnel and hit a rocket out of left field to cut the deficit to one run. After outfielder Jacob Robson struck out, Jones and Stewart both walked. After another out, it all came down to infielder Kody Clemens. 

When the pitch came in, the catcher fumbled the ball and both Jones and Stewart stole their bases. Runners were on second and third now. Clemens needed to hit in just one run, but hit a high foul ball close to the home plate stands which the catcher managed to pluck from the sky to end the game with the Cubs winning, 3-2. 

Despite a rocky offensive performance, Prince was impressed with his team’s resilience and defensive pressure.

“I thought they battled all night long and gave themselves an opportunity late in the game,” Prince said. “Rodriguez hits the homer, Jones gets the walk, Stewart gets the walk, that’s a pretty good ball game in my eyes.”

The Mud Hens and the Cubs ended their sixgame series July 18 with the Hens taking the edge with four wins. The Mud Hens head to Indiana to take on the Indians and the Cubs head to Columbus to take on the Clippers in another road series this week.