Carlos Mendoza and Hao-Yu Lee shone bright on Thursday as the Toledo Mud Hens dominated the Scranton-Wilkes/Barres RailRiders, winning 20-7 to take a 2-1 lead in their series. The game started explosively, with Mendoza hitting his first Triple-A home run in the first inning, quickly followed by Jahmai Jones’ three-run blast, giving the Mud Hens an early 4-0 advantage.
Despite PJ Poulin giving up two runs in the bottom of the first, the Mud Hens responded fiercely. Mendoza hit his second home run of the game in the second inning, a powerful shot that showcased his impressive batting, reaching a velocity of 103.7 MPH. The offense continued to roll, with contributions from Lee and others, ultimately providing the team with an 8-2 lead.
The relentless hitting continued into the ninth inning, where the Mud Hens exploded for seven runs, featuring eight singles and a double. This overwhelming performance concluded with standout stats for Mendoza and Lee, both going 4-for-6 and driving in multiple runs.
In other game action, the Richmond Flying Squirrels faced the Erie SeaWolves in a doubleheader. In Game 1, the SeaWolves struggled offensively and fell 3-1, but rebounded in Game 2, pulling out a 3-2 victory thanks to solid pitching from Garrett Burhenn and timely hitting from players like Justice Bigbie.
The Fort Wayne TinCaps narrowly defeated the West Michigan Whitecaps 9-8 after a back-and-forth battle, while the Lakeland Flying Tigers secured a 4-0 shutout against the Clearwater Threshers with a stellar pitching performance by Lucas Elissalt, who only allowed one hit over five innings.
Each of these games underscored the excitement and unpredictability of the minor league season, with teams battling for supremacy and players seizing their moments in the spotlight. The Mud Hens’ powerful offensive display offers hope for fans as they see their team’s potential and resilience on display.
Looking ahead, the Mud Hens will continue their series against the RailRiders on Friday night at 6:35 p.m. ET, and the SeaWolves will also seek to build on their winning momentum in their ongoing series.