DES MOINES — The Toledo Mud Hens started with a bang Friday night against the Iowa Cubs, but generated few scoring opportunities after the early innings in a 4-2 loss at Principal Park.

Spencer Torkelson, the first baseman and former high-rated prospect who was sent back down from the Detroit Tigers this week, has started to get his swing back at the Triple-A level, notching two hits on Wednesday and three on Thursday. In the top of the first on Friday, he sent a 3-1 pitch 398 feet to left field for a solo home run and a 1-0 Mud Hens lead.

Torkelson finished with his third straight multi-hit game, going 2 for 4 with a single in the sixth inning.

The Cubs tied the game in the second with Brennen Davis’ leadoff home run, but the Hens responded in the third with Andrew Navigato’s leadoff triple followed by an RBI single from Parker Meadows.

That would be it for the Mud Hens’ offense, which managed just two more hits and no runners in scoring position the rest of the game. Toledo (32-28) went just 1 of 2 for the game with runners in scoring position.

Iowa starting pitcher Thomas Pannone lasted six innings, allowing two runs on six hits with four strikeouts and one walk. Three Cubs relievers each threw hitless innings to close out the game.

Iowa (28-33) tied the game in the fifth when Bryce Windham doubled, advanced to third as another runner was thrown out at home, then scored on a Bryan Sammons wild pitch. The next batter, BJ Murray, Jr., homered to give the Cubs the lead.

Sammons pitched 5⅔ innings, allowing three runs on six hits with eight strikeouts to just one walk. Matt Mervis tacked on Iowa’s insurance run with a solo shot in the eighth.

The Cubs evened this week’s six-game series at two games apiece with the victory. Saturday’s contest is set for 7:08 p.m., with Toledo’s Matt Manning scheduled to pitch against Iowa’s Kyle McGowin.

First Published June 8, 2024, 3:19 a.m.