Mize solid for Mud Hens in loss at Charlotte

CHARLOTTE — Casey Mize pitched 3⅓ shutout innings in his second rehab start, but the Toledo Mud Hens struggled offensively and gave up three runs with their bullpen in a 3-1 loss to the Charlotte Knights on Tuesday.

Mize, the Detroit Tigers pitcher working his way back from a hamstring injury, pitched Thursday in Toledo against the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp and returned to the mound for the opener of this week’s six-game series at Truist Field. He gave up one hit with three strikeouts and one walk against the Knights, with the hit coming in the fourth inning against the final batter he faced.

Toledo (54-60) opened the scoring in the top of the fourth when Spencer Torkelson hit a solo home run to left field. It was the first hit of the game for either team, and it was the only blemish against Charlotte pitcher Nick Nastrini, who struck out seven and allowed just two hits and two walks over six innings.

With Mize out of the game, Oscar Colas led off the bottom of the fifth with a double, and Michael Chavis homered with one out to give Charlotte (54-60) a 2-1 lead. In the seventh, Wilmer Difo’s sacrifice fly scored Zach DeLoach to add insurance for the Knights.

Toledo, which managed just four base hits on the night and went 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position, made some noise in the ninth with singles by Ryan Kreidler and Eddys Leonard. Riley Unroe stepped up with two outs and representing the go-ahead run, but struck out on three pitches to end the game.

The second game of the series is set for 7:04 p.m. Tuesday at Truist Field. Ty Madden is scheduled to start for the Mud Hens, and Jake Eder will counter for the Knights.