Mud Hens fall behind early in 5-3 loss to Columbus Clippers

The Toledo Mud Hens fell behind early and could not recover in a 5-3 loss to the Columbus Clippers on Monday night at Fifth Third Field.

The Clippers took a 4-0 lead after three innings with one run in the second and three in the third.

Bryan Lavastida notched an RBI double in the second and two-run single in the third for Columbus, while Angel Martinez also drove in a run on a single in the third.

The Mud Hens got a run back in the fourth on an RBI double for Spencer Torkelson that scored Ryan Vilade and cut the deficit to 4-1.

Columbus stretched the lead back to 5-1 in the top of the sixth when Micah Pries hit a solo home run.

Mud Hens catcher Dillon Dingler notched an RBI single in the bottom of the sixth to answer.

Toledo then got a run in the ninth off of Columbus closer Anthony Gose and brought the tying run up to the plate, but Andrew Navigato grounded out to end the game.

Xzavion Curry (2-6) pitched 5⅓ innings, giving up two earned runs with three hits and two walks to earn the win.

The Mud Hens had a bullpen game with reliever Anthony Vasquez (3-2) as the opener. He pitched two innings, giving up one run on two hits to take the loss.

The Mud Hens host the Clippers Tuesday night for the second game of a three-game home set before the series shifts to Columbus on Thursday.