The Toledo Mud Hens rolled the Louisville Bats 9-4, but it was Max Clark’s two-run bomb in the fourth inning, his tenth homer of the season, that truly grabbed everyone’s attention. This kid is absolutely on fire, doing everything he can to force a promotion with a bat that keeps delivering dingers.
Clark and Baez Are Making Their Cases
The Mud Hens offense came out swinging, instantly erasing a three-run deficit in the first inning. Max Clark kicked things off with a walk, then Javier Baez doubled him home. Gage Workman followed that up with a triple to score another, and Corey Julks ripped a single through the left side for the tying RBI. What a way to respond! Then, in the fourth, Clark blasted a two-run homer, his tenth of the season already, and his fourth in July! He’s clearly making a serious case for a promotion, no doubt about it. Not to be outdone, Baez, in only his third rehab game, showed he’s ready with a monster 3-4 performance, crushing three doubles and driving in a run. He even doubled again in the same inning as Clark’s homer and then mashed another one after Carlos Perez dropped a grand slam later in the game. That kind of consistency is just what you want to see.
Gipson-Long’s Roller Coaster and Umpire Drama
On the mound, Sawyer Gipson-Long had one of those outings that makes you scratch your head. He lasted just 2.2 innings, giving up three earned runs on four hits and three walks, but still fanned six. The dude gave up three runs in the first, then bafflingly struck out five straight after four of the first five batters reached base. It’s just odd! He’s post-Tommy John, and it takes time, but that consistent 93-94 mph heat isn’t there, leaving him vulnerable when he can’t spot the fastball perfectly. Meanwhile, the game had some wild umpire drama. After Jace Jung blooped a single to center, the outfielder trapped the ball and threw it to second for what should have been a forceout. But the umpires inexplicably ruled the ball dead after the trap, giving Julks the base and turning a man on first, one out situation into men on first and second with two outs! Louisville manager Pat Kelly was ejected arguing, as he should have been, but the Bats somehow escaped the inning without any more damage. The Mud Hens bullpen, with Luke Taggart getting the win, Troy Watson holding it down with a 1-2-3 sixth inning after Perez’s grand slam, and Enmanuel De Jesus and Ricky Vanasco closing it out with Vanasco striking out the side, ultimately sealed the deal.
So, what’s next for these guys? Max Clark is absolutely tearing it up and putting himself squarely in the conversation for a promotion. You can practically hear the phone ringing, right? Javier Baez is looking sharp as heck in his rehab stint too, flashing that power with three doubles. Meanwhile, Sawyer Gipson-Long’s outing was a mixed bag, showing flashes but still battling for consistency with that fastball. It’s clear he’s got the stuff, he just needs to harness it. Every game is a battle, and these guys are fighting hard to make their mark!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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