The Gwinnett Braves out-hit Toledo, but the Mud Hens came out on top 8-4 Sunday at Fifth-Third Field in Toledo, Ohio.
Toledo took three of four from Gwinnett (64-51), marking the G-Braves’ first series loss since the All-Star break.
The Mud Hens (57-58) jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first and steadily built upon it, scoring two in the fourth, three in the sixth and one in the seventh. Gwinnett starter John Halama snapped his three-game win streak, surrendering seven earned runs on nine hits in five innings. He left the game with nobody out in the sixth after allowing a three-run homer off the bat of Brent Clevlen and a double off the bat of Ryan Roberson.
Earning the win for the Mud Hens was Eddie Bonine, who held Gwinnett to two earned runs on six hits in seven innings. Casey Fien picked up his 10th save by getting the final out of the ninth inning.
Brandon Jones was 3-for-4 with two runs and Brian Barton was 2-for-3 with two RBI to lead the Gwinnett offense. Wes Timmons, in his first game back from the Disabled List, was 2-for-5 with an RBI to extend his International League-best on-base streak to 41 games. Timmons had been on the DL with a fractured left thumb since July 21.
For the Mud Hens, Clevlen was 2-for-4 with a three-run homer, Brent Dlugach was 0-for-2 with two walks and two runs and Scott Sizemore was 2-for-4 with a run and two RBI. Dusty Ryan also had a run and two RBI on a 1-for-4 night at the plate.
With the loss and a win for Durham on Sunday, the G-Braves now trail the Bulls by one game in the IL-South. Gwinnett will host Durham in the first game of a four-game set Monday at 7:05 p.m. Right-hander Todd Redmond (7-6, 4.31 ERA), who has won four consecutive decisions for the G-Braves, will get the start against Durham righty Jeremy Hellickson (2-0, 4.32 ERA).