Mud Hens cool it: Freeze in Toledo; open in Louisville [Archive]

redshark63

04-05-2007, 08:04 AM

The article:

2007 MUD HENS PREVIEW
Mud Hens cool it: Freeze in Toledo; open in Louisville

http://toimg.sv.publicus.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=TO&Date=20070405&Category=SPORTS07&ArtNo=704050381&Ref=AR&MaxW=240
Mud Hens pitchers, from left, Ron Chiavacci, Vic Darensbourg and Jason Karnuth try to keep warm at Fifth Third Field yesterday as they worked out in preparation for tonight's scheduled opener at Louisville. Zach Miner will start for Toledo.
( THE BLADE/DAVE ZAPOTOSKY )

By JOHN WAGNER
BLADE SPORTS WRITER

The Mud Hens got a less-than-warm reception yesterday as they returned to Toledo to prepare for the 2007 season.

The temperature at Fifth Third Field hovered around 40 degrees as the Hens worked out in preparation for the start of the season.

Toledo will begin its 43rd season in the International League today at Louisville, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:20 p.m.

The cold temperatures and the winds whipping around the ballpark at speeds as high as 40 mph were a frigid reminder that spring training - held in sunny Lakeland, Fla. - was over.

TODAY
• Mud Hens at Louisville
• Time: 7:05 p.m.
• Radio: 1470 AM

MUD HENS LINEUP
1. Kevin Hooper, 2B
2. Timo Perez, RF
3. Ryan Raburn, LF
4. Chris Shelton, 1B
5. David Espinosa, DH
6. Mike Hessman, 3B
7. Ramon Santiago, SS
8. Brent Clevlen, CF
9. Dane Sardinha, C
• Starter: Zach Miner

"It's definitely colder than Florida," said pitcher Zach Miner, who also worked out at Fifth Third Field on Tuesday when the temperatures were much warmer. "But we're excited to get it going.

"Spring training is getting ready for the season. This is when the bell rings. I think everybody is going to be ready to go."

The bracing weather also may have served as a cold slap in the face to remind the Mud Hens that, as back-to-back Governors' Cup champions, they will be a target for other teams around the IL this season.

"Anytime you win back-to-back titles, you're going to be the hunted," interim manager Mike Rojas said. "You have to defend it. You go out and try to win every game you can and go from there."

Miner will start for Toledo tonight against the Bats' Bobby Livingston, a left-hander. After Miner the Hens' rotation includes right-handers Jordan Tata, Virgil Vasquez and Dennis Tankersley in Louisville, with right-hander Yorman Bazardo starting in Indianapolis Monday.

In the bullpen Rojas has options for the closer's role as Aquilino Lopez, Tim Byrdak and Jason Karnuth all have experience.

"Lopez will be the closer at this point in time," Rojas said. "The set-up guys and the left-handers are going to show me when they pitch.

"The first two weeks of the season we make out the line; from that point on [the players] make out the lineup based on the way you play and the way you go about your business."

The starting lineup for today's opener is expected to include six players who have worn Mud Hens uniforms in years past. All four starting infielders - Chris Shelton at first base, Kevin Hooper at second, shortstop Ramon Santiago and Mike Hessman at third - have played for Toledo, as have leftfielder Ryan Raburn and designated hitter David Espinosa.

Brent Clevlen will start in center and Timo Perez will be in right, while Dane Sardinha will start behind the plate.

The batting order will feature Hooper leading off followed by Perez and Raburn. Shelton will hit cleanup, followed by Espinosa, Hessman, Santiago, Clevlen and Sardinha.

But Rojas said those positions on the field and spots in the batting order may change every day.

"It's going to be a mix-and-match," Rojas said. "Timo can play all three outfield positions, and so can Clevlen.

"Chris Maples can play everywhere, and Jack [Hannahan] can play first, second and third. We have a lot of guys who can play a lot of positions."

Even though Rojas lives in Florida, he said yesterday's frigid Toledo weather didn't dampen his excitement about the start of the season.

"When you're in Florida for a month and a half, even though it's warm weather, it can be a daily grind because none of the games count," he said. "Now they do."

NOTE: Mud Hens manager Larry Parrish had successful surgery on his left ankle yesterday. The surgery was performed by Dr. Christopher Zingas at Cottage Hospital in Detroit. The Mud Hens expect that Parrish will be at Fifth Third Field for the team's home opener against Durham on Friday, April 13 starting at 5:30 p.m.

Contact John Wagner at: jwagner@theblade.com or 419-724-6481.