Mud Hens suffer second straight loss at Indianapolis

Toledo Mud Hens pitcher Tyler Alexander throws against the Norfolk Tides in a game this season. Alexander allowed three runs in his start at Indianapolis on Wednesday afternoon.

For the second consecutive game, the Toledo Mud Hens offense was held to just two runs as the Mud Hens fell 3-2 at Indianapolis on Wednesday afternoon at Victory Field. After winning the series opener, the Hens have lost two in a row to the Indians. After a 55-minute rain delay, three fifth-inning runs were the difference for Indianapolis.

What happened: Toledo scored the first run of the game in the third, when Jim Adduci reached on a fielding error by Indianapolis pitcher Clay Holmes that allowed Dawel Lugo to score. Indianapolis struck in the fifth on RBI singles from Max Moroff, Jackson Williams, and Kevin Newman. Toledo got one run back in the top of the eighth, when Adduci singled up the middle to score Christin Stewart.

Indianapolis starter Clay Holmes allowed just one unearned run in his five innings of work with five hits, two walks, and five strikeouts on the way to his fifth win of the season. Johnny Hellweg shut down the Hens in the ninth to earn his 10th save of the season.

Mud Hens starter Tyler Alexander suffered his second loss of the season after allowing three runs on nine hits in 4⅓ innings. Alexander did not walk a batter and struck out two. Zac Houston and Kevin Chapman kept Toledo in the game with 3⅔ scoreless innings of relief.

Game MVP: Holmes gets the honor for Indianapolis. For Toledo, Lugo was 3 for 4.

Comings and goings: With Miguel Cabrera going on the disabled list with a ruptured left biceps tendon, the Detroit Tigers recalled infielder Ronny Rodriguez from Toledo. Cabrera’s injury will keep him out for the rest of the season.

Make a note of it: Rodriguez earned his promotion to Detroit. The versatile infielder is second in the International League in batting average (.320). He leads the league in slugging percentage (.548) and total bases (120) and is tied for the lead in extra-base hits (28). Rodriguez is second in runs scored (36).

A look ahead: Toledo and Indianapolis will finish their series at 7:05 p.m. Thursday. The Mud Hens will start right-hander A.J. Ladwig (5-2, 5.10 ERA), while the Indians will send right-hander Nick Kingham (2-1, 2.12 ERA) to the mound.

Contact Brian Buckey at: bbuckey@theblade.com, 419-724-6110, or on Twitter @BrianBuckey.