STAFF REPORTS
TOLEDO, O.H. — A night after scoring 15 runs, the Wings offense mustered just one, spoiling a nice outing from Zack Littell, in a 4-1 loss to the Toledo Mud Hens Friday night.
The Wings grabbed the lead in the third inning after Jeremy Hazelbaker led off the frame with a triple down the left field line. Taylor Motter followed with a sac fly to center to give the Wings a 1-0 lead.
Rochester (55-67) would hold that lead all the way until the sixth inning, when the Mud Hens began to string some hits together. With one out, Toledo hit three consecutive doubles off Littell, albeit two were of the bloop variety, to plate two runs.
Two batters later, Jason Krizan ripped a single to center. Hazelbaker came up throwing to the plate, but catcher Juan Gratetrol cut the throw off and threw to second to try and nab Krizan. His toss sailed into center and past Hazelbaker allowing Krizan to scamper home and increase the lead to 4-1.
Littell’s line – four runs (three earned) over 5.2 IP — was not indicative of how well he pitched. The righty struck out seven, while not walking a hitter as he suffered his sixth loss of the season.
Nick Anderson went the rest of the way for the Wings allowing just one hit while striking out three in 2.1 scoreless innings.
A night after seven Red Wings collected multi-hits, only the rehabbing Robbie Grossman had a two-hit night on Friday.
Game Three of this four-game set is Saturday night in Toledo. Chase De Jong (0-2, 4.80) gets the start for the Wings opposite RHP Warwick Saupold (2-0, 4.88).
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