Mud Hens battle inconsistency

The Mud Hens have battled inconsistency both on and off the field this season. Despite posting the lowest ERA in the International League at 3.41 and the second lowest WHIP at 1.31, Toledo needed wins yesterday and Saturday to pull above .500 at 20-18. They are three games back in the IL West division.

The Hens have been aggressive bordering on impatient at the plate, recording the second most strikeouts of the 14 teams in the IL at 299 with only 113 walks. They have the fourth-lowest average in the league, hitting .252 with 325 hits.

Brent Dlugach has accounted for the most strikeouts with 53 while walking just seven times. He's hitting .263 with 21 runs scored and 16 RBI.

Will Rhymes has the highest average of players with 60 or more at-bats for Toledo this season, hitting .298 with 18 runs scored and 10 RBI.

Part of the offensive struggles can be attributed to injuries and players being called up to Detroit. Just yesterday, the Tigers recalled pitcher Armando Galarraga and Danny Worth. Detroit previously called up several other players, including Brennan Boesch and Casper Wells.

Boesch was leading the Hens offensively before heading north, hitting 22 of 58 with 17 RBI and six runs scord in 15 games. Galarraga was one of the team's more consistent pitchers, going 4-2 with a 3.92 ERA, recording 38 strikeouts to 13 walks.

The Hens have frequently utilized the disabled list, dealing with injuries to Clete Thomas, Ryan Strieby, catcher Mike Rabelo and pitcher Rudy Lugo.

Thomas, Strieby and Rabelo have struggled offensively through their injuries, hitting a combined 25 of 148 with 49 strikeouts to 16 walks.

If Toledo can get over the inconsistencies, they have the potential to finish second in the division and make noise in the playoffs, but getting past division leader Columbus is not likely to happen.

— Jason Mack is the Managing Editor at the IC and was the Sports Editor in 2008. He also contributes to TigsTown.com with coverage of the Toledo Mud Hens.