ALLENTOWN, Pa. — The Toledo Mud Hens scored seven runs in the third inning, defeating the Lehigh Valley IronPigs 9-5 on Saturday night.

The victory secured the Hens’ first series win since April after losing or splitting seven consecutive six-game sets.

It was the IronPigs who struck first when Esteban Quiroz hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the second off Mud Hens starter Austin Bergner. Bergner only lasted two innings, allowing three runs on three hits.

But Toledo went to work in the top of the third against Lehigh Valley pitcher Drew Hutchison, a former member of the Mud Hens and Detroit Tigers. A walk, a single, and a hit batter loaded the bases with no outs, then Justyn-Henry Malloy singled to score Corey Joyce.

A Tyler Nevin sacrifice fly brought Parker Meadows across the plate, then Joe Rizzo cleared the bases with a two-run home run to give the Hens a 5-3 lead.

Andrew Knapp and Joyce added RBI doubles before the inning was through to extend the lead to 7-3. Hutchison pitched through the fourth inning, finishing with seven runs allowed on six hits.

The IronPigs (33-33) tacked on single runs in the fourth and ninth innings, but those were offset by Malloy’s two-run triple in the eighth that scored Joyce and Meadows.

Garrett Hill was credited with the win for Toledo after pitching three innings, allowing one run on three hits. Layne Henderson picked up a quick save when he entered with two runners on in the ninth, walked one batter to load the bases, then struck out Scott Kingery on three pitches to end the game.

Rizzo went 3 for 5 at the plate with a run and three RBIs. Malloy was 2 for 4 with a run and three RBIs.

Toledo (30-37) has won three in a row for the first time since May 13-16, and will go for its fourth straight victory in Sunday’s 1:35 p.m. series finale. Starting pitchers have not been announced for either team.

First Published June 18, 2023, 2:29 a.m.