Mud Hens throw combined three-hitter in 4-0 win over Louisville

Four Toledo pitchers worked a combined three-hitter with 15 strikeouts on Thursday in a 4-0 win over the Louisville Bats at Fifth Third Field.

Starter Lael Lockhart (1-3) struck out nine batters in six innings, scattering just one hit and two walks for the Mud Hens (45-53). Relievers PJ Poulin and Brenan Hanifee each allowed one hit in a shutout inning of work, with Hanifee striking out the side.

Sean Guenther struck out a pair in a 1-2-3 ninth inning for Toledo.

Offensively, the Mud Hens got two quick runs off Louisville starter Lyon Richardson (1-7) in the first inning as Justice Bigbie hit a one-out, two-run double.

Akil Baddoo drew a leadoff walk in the third and, after Spencer Torkelson’s double, scored on Richardson’s wild pitch. Richardson lasted five innings, allowing the three runs on five hits and two walks with six strikeouts.

Torkelson brought home Drew Maggi on a sacrifice fly in the seventh inning. Maggi (2 for 3) had the only multi-hit game for the Mud Hens.

The teams will play the fourth in the six-game series at 7:05 p.m. Friday at Fifth Third Field. Toledo has not named a starter, while Julian Aguiar (3-0, 3.12 ERA) will start for Louisville (49-47).