Toledo

The Mud Hens seem to have overcome their mental block preventing them from beating Pawtucket, as they took the third game of the four game series, 8-0. Ron Chiavacci (4 IP, 4 H, BB, 7 K) was the starter, stepping into Luke French's spot in the rotation. Brooks Brown, called up from Erie, will be filling that role usually but he just pitched the other day for the SeaWolves. 

Anyway, Chiavacci struck out seven and gave up just four singles and a walk in his four innings on the mound. By the time he had finished, the Hens had built a 5-0 lead with three in the second and two more in the third. In the second inning, Will Rhymes (2 for 4) had just singled to move Brent Dlugach (1 for 3, 2b, BB) to second and Ryan Roberson (1 for 3, 2b) to third when Roberson was able to score on a wild pitch. Dusty Ryan (3 for 3, 2b, HR, BB) then knocked in the other two with a double. The next inning, Mike Hessman (1 for 4, HR, SB) hit his fifth homer of the season for two more runs. 

Things quieted down a bit after that with Pat Stanley (2.2 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 5 K) and Fu-Te Ni (0.2 IP, H, 2 K) shutting down the Sox for 3 1/3 innings between them and the Hens not scoring again until the eighth. 

Rhymes followed Dlugach's double with an RBI single and was then able to trot home when Ryan went deep for the fourth time this season. At that point, Freddy Dolsi (1.2 IP, 2 K) came back out for a second inning of work and put the Sox down in order with two more strikeouts. In all, the Hens struck out 16 Pawtucket batters on this day. 

Erie

The SeaWolves were swamped under a storm of hits in a 6-1 loss to Bowie. Luis Marte (7.1 IP, 13 H, 5 R, 3 K) had a rare bad outing in which he gave up thirteen hits and was tagged with five of the six Bowie runs. Two of those came on a homer he allowed in the third inning. Two more came in the eighth when two runners he left on as he left the game scored on a homer off Josh Kite (0.2 IP, H, R, 2 BB). So despite a lot of hits falling in against him, almost all the damage came off two long balls. Hopefully he just had some bad luck with where the hits were falling and his being left in for almost eight innings would seem to support that. 

The lineup wasn't able to pick him up, either. They scored their only run in the first inning when Scott Sizemore (1 for 4, 2b) led off with a double - he's been on fire lately - and scored on a single by Ryan Strieby (2 for 3, BB). That was pretty much for the offense. The team managed six other hits, two by Santo De Leon (2 for 4), but could do nothing with them. 

Lakeland

Rained out again. 

West Michigan

The Whitecaps avenged their prior game's loss to Dayton with a 7-4 win. They jumped out to a 5-1 lead by the middle of the fourth inning. Luis Salas (0 for 3, BB) and Brent Wyatt (0 for 3, BB) both drew walks with the bases loaded for the first two runs in the second inning. After the Dragons scored one of their own with a couple doubles off Luke Putkonen (5 IP, 6 H, 2 R, BB), the Caps scored two more. The first came when Brandon Douglas (1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, K) walked, took third on a throwing error and scored on a wild pitch. For the second run, Joe Bowen (1 for 4, BB) singled in Bryan Pounds (1 for 3, 2 BB). 

That gave the Caps a 4-1 lead and Gustavo Nunez (3 for 4, 2b, SB) almost single-handedly provided the fifth run. After a single up the middle, he stole second, took third on a fly to right and scored on a ground out to short. At the time, it looked like an important run because the Dragons chipped away most of the lead with three runs over the next three innings. Two of those came off Anthony Shawler (1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, K), who took the mound in the sixth after a short start for Putkonen. 

After a few shaky innings, though, Jared Gayhart (2 IP, K) and Tyler Stohr (1 IP) were able to calm things down with three scoreless innings between them. Just to be safe, though, the Caps added two more in the ninth on a double by Ronnie Bourquin (4 for 5) that scored Ben Guez (1 for 4, 2b, BB) and Pounds. 

Toledo

The Mud Hens must have felt fortunate to win a 1-0 ten inning affair with the Red Sox. I say that because Clay Buchholz was electric for the PawSox, going eight innings and striking out eleven with no walks. Lucky for the Hens, Eddie Bonine (9 IP, H, 5 K) stepped up to the challenge. You could almost say Bonine went one better, throwing nine innings in which he allowed just one hit, no walks and struck out five. In fact, after a one out single in the second, Bonine didn't allow another baserunner.

So, of course the Hens didn't score until the tenth. After a quick 1-2-3 outing for Casey Fien (1 IP, 2 K) in the top of the inning, the Hens' lineup finally got to work. Don Kelly (1 for 4) singled and stole second. That allowed the Sox to intentionally walk Ryan Roberson (0 for 3, BB) to keep the double play as a possibility. Smartly, Kelly then stole third base. That meant even if they got the double play ball he would score the winning run. It ended up not mattering, though, because Will Rhymes (2 for 4) slapped a single to right for the game-winner. 

Mike Hessman (2 for 4, 2b) was really the only batter besides Rhymes to have a good game. Again, this revival of his is a good sign for Toledo.

Erie

The SeaWolves thumped Reading, 8-5, in a game where they took a 7-1 lead by the fourth and then did their best to hold off a Phillies comeback. The threat of the comeback came only while Brooks Brown (5 IP, 9 H, 5 R, BB, 4 K) was on the mound. The good fortune he had been having with balls in play seemed to get away from him in this one as he gave up nine hits and five runs while being taken out before getting a run in the sixth. Once Brown was out of the game, Simons let Brown's runner score but combined with Cody Satterwhite (2 IP, H, 2 K) to keep the Phillies off the board otherwise. 

As for the offense, they had a big day with 11 hits and 8 runs. Scott Sizemore (3 for 4, 2b), Max Leon (2 for 4) and Ryan Strieby (2 for 3, HR, BB) all had multiple hits with Strieby's including his tenth homer of the season. Joe Tucker (1 for 4, HR) also went deep for the Wolves in the fourth. Perhaps the biggest hit came off the bat of Deik Scram (1 for 3, 3b, BB), who hit a bases loaded double that cleared the bases in the third. 

Lakeland

Rained out in the third inning.

West Michigan

The Whitecaps lost, 2-1, to Dayton and had to hope Casey Crosby (1 IP, 2 H, K) was fine after being hit in the knee with a line drive in the second. That thrust Brayan Villareal (4.2 IP, 4 H, 4 K) into service and he gave them just shy of five good innings.

With Villareal keeping the Dragons off the board, the Whitecaps were able to take a 1-0 lead on a solo homer my Gustavo Nunez (1 for 3, HR). He picked a good time to hit his first of the season. 

The problem was that was all the Caps would get and Tyler Conn (2.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 K) wouldn't be able to hold the late lead. He have up one in the seventh and another in the eighth, and ended up taking the loss. 

Toledo

Pawtucket continued to own the Mud Hens as Toledo lost, 2-1. Chris Lambert (7 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 6 K) pitched a good game, but the two runs he gave up in the first two innings turned out to be too much. In the first, it was a pair of doubles that plated a run. In the third, a throwing error by Ryan Roberson (1 for 4) put a runner on third, who then scored on a sac fly.

That error really hurt because it meant the only run the Hens scored wasn't enough. That one run came on a homer from Mike Hessman (2 for 4, 2b, HR). The good news here is if Hessman is heating up (6 hits in last 12 at bats, all for extra bases) he could go a long way toward turning the Hens' funk around. 

Clay Rapada (1 IP, 2 BB, K) and Freddy Dolsi (1 IP) each threw an inning of scoreless relief. 

Erie

The SeaWolves rode a late rally to a 5-2 win over Reading. Alfredo Figaro (6.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, BB, 6 K) finally cracked in the sixth inning and gave up a two run homer that broke a scoreless tie. Figaro wouldn't be blamed for wondering what his teammates have against him, as they responded at the plate almost immediately after he was out of the game. 

In the seventh, the Wolves took advantage of Reading's starter being finished as well. Ryan Strieby (0 for 4) reached on an error, and that was followed by a single from Cale Iorg (1 for 4) and a bunt by Deik Scram (1 for 3, HR) that put runners at second and third. Santo De Leon (0 for 3, BB) walked to load the bases, and Andy Dirks (2 for 4, 2b) tied the game with a two run single. A couple batters later, Scott Sizemore (1 for 3, BB) knocked in another, and walks to Max Leon (0 for 2, 2 BB) and Brennan Boesch (0 for 3, BB) scored the fourth run of the inning. 

After Brendan Wise (1.1 IP, 2 H), back from the disabled list by the way, came out to pitch a scoreless eighth, Scram put some another run on the lead with a homer to right. That gave the Wolves their 5-2 lead and made for an easy save situation for Brett Jensen (1 IP, K). 

Lakeland

The Flying Tigers pulled off an interesting feat in beating Dunedin, 8-5. They scored eight runs on seven hits, but only one of the hits was for extra bases. As you might expect, walks and errors played a big part in their doing so. 

In the fourth, Jordan Newton (1 for 4, 2b, BB) led off with a double. A walk to Kody Kaiser (0 for 2, 3 BB) and a Devin Thomas (2 for 4) getting plunked loaded the bases. After an infield popup, Justin Henry (2 for 5, SB) hit what should have at least been a force out but the opposing second baseman threw the ball away and let Newton and Kaiser score. A ground out moved Thomas and Henry to second and third and another throwing error, this time on the pitcher after Mike Gosse (0 for 3, BB, SB) hit a comebacker, scored two more runs. 

Dunedin scored two off Lauren Gagnier (6.2 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 2 BB, 5 K) in the bottom of the inning, but the Tigers responded with two more of their own. They again loaded the bases after walks to Newton and Kaiser and a single by Thomas. Henry then knocked in two runs with a single. 

The Jays scored another in the fifth and two more off Gagnier in the seventh to pull with a run of Lakeland. With the game a little too close at 6-5, Kyle Peter (1 for 5) knocked in two runs with an infield single of all things. 

Once Gagnier was finished for the night, Lester Oliveros (1.1 IP, H, BB, 3 K), Robbie Weinhardt (0.1 IP, H, BB) and Chad Linder (0.2 IP, K) sewed up the last 2 1/3 innings. 

West Michigan

The Whitecaps played Dayton and the Dragons scored two runs in the second and two more in the ninth. Luckily for the Caps, they scored nine runs in that span for a 9-4 win. Matt Hoffman (8 IP, 7 H, 2 R, BB, 6 K) gave up the first two, but settled down and ended up throwing an eight inning gem. 

West Michigan responded in the fifth when Luis Salas (1 for 3, HR, BB) hit a solo homer, his first of the year. They then scored the other run and more in the seventh inning when they added five to make it 6-2. Billy Nowlin (2 for 5, HR, SB) scored the first run on a throwing error by the pitcher. That was followed by both Ben Guez (1 for 3, HR) and Brandon Douglas (0 for 2, BB) getting hit by pitches to plate another one. After a pitching change, Bryan Pounds (1 for 4, BB) walked to score another run and Ronnie Bourquin (2 for 5, HR) hit a two run single to cap the inning.

In the ninth, the Caps scored their final three runs in a much more direct manner. Guez, Bourquin and Nowlin all hit solo homers to put the Caps up 9-2. Erik Crichton (1 IP, 3 H, 2 R) gave up two runs in the bottom of the ninth - one on a homer - but the Caps had sufficiently padded the lead to where it wasn't too concerning.

As you may expect, I have to rush to get these recaps done in the morning. This morning, I thought I had posted and when I checked later I was shocked to see nothing up. I apologize for that, and will try to be more diligent about making sure the posts are truly up in the future.

Toledo

The Mud Hens put together a complete effort as they beat Lehigh Valley, 9-2, in the final game of the four set series. They blew up for thirteen hits and compressed all nine runs into the third through sixth innings. 

In the third, they scored three runs to get Scot Drucker (6 IP, 6 H, 2 R, BB, 8 K) a 3-1 lead after he had given up a run in the second. Dusty Ryan (1 for 4) led off with a single and scored after Danny Worth (3 for 4) singled and the IronPigs threw the ball away on a bunt by Jason Tyner (1 for 3, BB). After a sac fly by Jeff Frazier (1 for 4, HR) and a single by Brent Clevlen (3 for 5), the Hens had their three runs. 

After Drucker gave up another the next inning, the Hens' next two runs were much less complicated. Frazier simply hit a two run homer to put them up 5-2. Don Kelly (1 for 5, HR) smacked a solo shot in the fifth and Ryan Roberson (2 for 5) scored the Hens' other run. After singling, he was able to come around on a double by Brent Dlugach (1 for 4, 2b) and a ground out by Ryan. Roberson knocked in the final two Hen runs with a single to make it 9-2. 

It's almost a shame the Hens hit so well on a day when the pitchers had the opponent under control. Drucker ended up allowing just the two runs in six innings while striking out eight. His replacement, Ron Chiavacci (3 IP, H, 2 K), was even better. He went three innings and faced only one over the minimum while striking out a couple. 

Erie

The SeaWolves stayed on their roll, beating Reading, 3-2. Jon Kibler (7.2 IP, 7 H, R, 4 BB, 2 K) continues to make progress as far as results but I'm not sure it's sustainable if he keeps walking twice the number of batters he strikes out. Regardless, he was good enough to get the win and Ramon Garcia (1.1 IP, 2 H, R, 2 BB, 3 K) was able to hold the Phillies to one run after relieving Kibler in the eighth. 

When Garcia came in, he stranded both of his inherited runners by striking out the only batter he faced. The ninth was a different story. After getting a strikeout between a couple singles, he got a fly out to make it two outs and two on. That's a dicey situation with a two run lead, but nothing too terrible. That is, until he walked the next two batters to bring in a run and put the tying run on third. He buckled down at that point, though, and struck out the final batter for the win. 

To get their three runs, the Wolves made the most of their four hits and two walks. Deik Scram (1 for 3, HR) led off the fifth with a homer and in the sixth, Brennan Boesch (1 for 3, 3b) followed a Max Leon (0 for 3, BB) walk with a triple. That put Erie up 2-1 and Ryan Strieby (0 for 2) followed with a sac fly to give them a two run lead.

Lakeland

The Flying Tigers tried to resume their march back toward .500 with a 5-3 win over Dunedin. To do so, they had to overcome a short and rocky outing for Charlie Furbush (3.2 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 BB, K). He couldn't make it out of the fourth and when he came out he was trailing 2-1. After giving up seven hits and two walks, he was fortunate to have such a close score.

His lineup had his back. The run they had at that point came on back-to-back doubles from Chris White (1 for 5, 2b) and Kyle Peter (2 for 4, 2b). They then added three more in the fifth when Jordan Newton (2 for 4, 2b, HR) homered right after Peter had singled in Avisail Garcia (1 for 4).

Newton's long ball made it 4-2, and after the Jays scored a run in the bottom of the inning their production for the day was finished. They were shut down as Robert Waite (2.1 IP, 2 H, R) threw one more inning and then turned it over to Brett Jacobson (2 IP, 2 H, K) and Scott Green (1 IP), who combined for three scoreless innings. The Tigers, however, did add one more run. That came on an Audy Ciriaco (2 for 4, 3b) triple that scored Kody Kaiser (1 for 4).

West Michigan

Day off

I figured I'd better check over the rosters since I noticed some changes over the weekend. Here's a rundown of the changes in the system. 

Toledo

Patrick Stanley joined the Hens' bullpen, coming up from Lakeland. He replaced Nick Regilio, who was released. 

The Hens also picked up Jeff Frazier, who was finally called up to replace the departed Clete Thomas. It was maybe a little surprising Max Leon didn't get the call, but Frazier has had another hot start this season as well. 

Erie

Let's not think of Erie losing a Frazier. Let's think of them as gaining a Dirks. Andy Dirks was called up from Lakeland at the same time Frazier went to Toledo. He was hitless in his first couple games, but had a couple hits Sunday and hopefully will heat up to the level he was playing in Lakeland.

Lakeland

The Flying Tigers obviously didn't escape the roster shuffle. When Stanley was promoted to Toledo, he was replaced with Chad Linder. Linder was a free agent the Tigers brought in from an independent league. 

They also needed to replace the departed Andy Dirks so they dug a little deeper than expected and called up Avisail Garcia. This is Garcia's first season in the states, as he was in the VSL last season. 

Finally, Lakeland needed to call somebody in to replace Chris Carlson's spot on the roster. He was put on the disabled list and they opted for Devin Thomas as his replacement. With Adrian Casanova and Jordan Newton on the roster already, it doesn't look like Thomas will be getting behind the plate. He's been at first in both games he's played. 

West Michigan

Probably not wanting to mess with a good thing - they're 20-9 - the Caps' roster was left alone. 

Toledo

May 8

The Mud Hens dropped one, 5-4, to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs on Bacon Lovers' night. After falling behind 3-0 early, a pair of two run homers by Wilkin Ramirez (2 for 3, HR, BB, 2 SB) and Ryan Roberson (1 for 4, HR) gave the Hens a 4-3 lead they carried into the ninth inning. 

It was almost a nice comeback win, but Freddy Dolsi (1.2 IP, 3 H 2 R, 2 K) lost it a bit in the ninth. A couple doubles and hit batters tied the game and left the bases loaded with two outs. Both of the outs were strikeouts, including the last batter Dolsi faced. He was pulled for Clay Rapada (0.1 IP, BB), who walked the first batter he saw to score the winning run. That cost Eddie Bonine (7 IP, 7 H, 3 R, BB, 5 K) what should have probably been his first win of the season. 

The Hens had a chance to at least even the score when they loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the ninth. Two strikeouts later the game was over and the Hens were another game into a frustrating season.

May 9

Finally, the Hens busted out the whipping sticks against Lehigh Valley. It was a fourteen hit attack in an 11-7 win. They had seven runs before the Pigs had one, and when Lehigh Valley scored three in the sixth, the Hens answered with four. Brent Dlugach (1 for 3, HR, BB, SB) and Brent Clevlen (1 for 5, HR) led the attack with a homer each. One of the new Hens, Jeff Frazier (3 for 4, BB) had three hits, as did Wilkin Ramirez (3 for 5, SB) and Don Kelly (3 for 4, 3b, BB). 

Also, don't look now but Dusty Ryan (2 for 4, BB, SB) picked up a couple hits as well. He's slowly turning around an awful start to his season. He's 9 for his last 27 and getting his numbers creeping upward. 

On the mound, the Hens had Luke French (6 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 3 K) starting and he was followed by Matt Rusch (2.2 IP, 4 H, 4 R, BB, 2 K) and Casey Fien (0.1 IP, 2 H, K). None of them were particularly sharp, but let's just hope it was because they were pouring in strikes to keep the innings short with the big lead. 

May 10

Toledo wasn't able to assure a series split as they lost on Sunday, 5-3. Ruddy Lugo (5.1 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 BB, 2 K) gave up four runs and couldn't get out of the sixth. Fu-Te Ni (2.2 IP, 3 H, R, K) let one of those runs score, but he wasn't just careless because it was Lugo's. He gave up one of his own the next inning, on a solo homer. 

That would put the IronPigs up 5-1, and the Hens' two runs late would only serve to excite the bench and the fans a bit. Mike Hessman (3 for 4, 3 2b) showed early signs of pulling out of his season long slump with three doubles. Don Kelly (2 for 2, 2 BB) and Jeff Frazier (2 for 4) were the other Toledoans with more than one hit.

Erie

May 8

The SeaWolves beat Bowie, 4-3. Brooks Brown (7 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 BB, K) had another solid outing despite peripherals that continue to be underwhelming. The two runs he gave up did the trick, though, mainly because of big games by Scott Sizemore (2 for 4, 2b), Ryan Strieby (2 for 4, 2b, HR) and Alex Avila (3 for 3, 2b, BB).

Those three all had multiple hits, but Brennan Boesch (1 for 4) had the big one I suppose. After a  double by Sizemore made it 3-2, Boesch singled him in to make it a two run game. That was important because reliever Josh Rainwater (2 IP, 2 H, R, K) allowed a run in the eighth. That made it 4-3, but that was as close as they Baysox would get.

May 9

Erie won again on Saturday, beating Bowie 7-5 this time. Ryan Strieby (1 for 3, HR, BB) homered for the second straight game, this one being a three run shot in the third. Scott Sizemore (2 for 5, HR) added one in the eighth, but those two weren't the only ones having fun. Max Leon (2 for 5, 2b) and Brennan Boesch (2 for 4) each picked up a couple hits and Deik Scram (1 for 4, 3b) hit his second triple of the season.

All that added up to seven runs and that enabled Luis Marte (5 IP, 5 H, 3 R, BB, 7 K) to avoid the loss in what was a bit of a shaky start. He recovered nicely after a rough first inning, but Zach Simons (2 IP, 2 H, R, BB, 2 K) ended up getting the win (after blowing it for Marte). Cody Satterwhite (2 IP, 2 H, R, BB, 4 K) pitched the last couple innings and ended up with a save despite giving up a solo homer.

May 10 

Erie swept the Baysox with a 6-5 win. Five of their six runs came on a three run homer by Deik Scram (1 for 3, HR, BB, SB) and a two run homer by Alex Avila (1 for 4, HR). Avila's was his first of the season. The Wolves' sixth and final run came in the bottom of the sixth inning, when Shawn Roof (0 for 2, SB) scored Scram with a sac fly to center. Scram had walked, stolen second and taken third on a double by Andy Dirks (2 for 4, 2b, SB). I'm sure there's an interesting story behind that play. 

The pitching by the Wolves was just good enough for the win. They gave up thirteen hits, but the trio of Jonah Nickerson (6 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 6 K), Josh Kite (0.1 IP, 3 H, R) and Josh Rainwater (1.2 IP, 2 H, R) got them to the ninth with a 6-4 lead. I have to give Nickerson credit. After a disastrous start to his season, he's now turned in consecutive quality starts. Brett Jensen (1 IP, 2 H, R) gave up a long ball before wrapping up the game and getting the save.

Lakeland

May 8

The Flying Tigers lost, 5-3, to Brevard County. Duane Below (5.1 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 4 K) struggled in his fourth loss of the season, and this time it was more about getting hit than losing his control. All three of Lakeland's runs came in the bottom of the second. An Adrian Casanova (1 for 4, 2b) double scored the recently called up Devin Thomas (1 for 4) and moved Justin Henry (1 for 4) up to third. Henry then scored on a ground out by Mike Gosse (0 for 3), and a Chris White (2 for 4, 2b, 3b) double brought in Casanova. 

That big inning was all Lakeland could muster, and they would eventually lose the lead it  afforded them. Brett Jacobson (2.2 IP, 2 H, BB, 3 K) was good in relief, getting Below out of a bases loaded jam without giving up a run, but Trevor Feeney (3 H, R) couldn't say the same. He faced three batters and they all got hits. That allowed the fifth run, and he was pulled at that point for Chad Linder (1 IP, BB, K), another recent callup. 

Despite four errors - two by Kody Kaiser - in this one, all of the runs allowed were earned. 

May 9

Lakeland dropped a 3-2 decision to Brevard County. Jordan Newton (2 for 4, 3b) tripled and scored in the second to give them a 1-0 lead, but the Manatees answered with three in the fourth on four straight two out singles. Two of those were infield singles, so hold it against Thad Weber (7 IP, 6 H, 3 R, BB, 6 K) too much.

Mike Bertram (1 for 4) singled in Kody Kaiser (1 for 3, BB) in the bottom of the inning, but that was it for the scoring. That was bad news for the Flying Tigers, but the good news was they got another great start from Weber as well as a good inning from both Pat Stanley (1 IP, H, BB, K) and Robbie Weinhardt (1 IP, BB, 2 K). 

May 10

Day off

West Michigan

May 8

The Whitecaps dropped a 5-0 shutout to Clinton as they picked up only four hits and a walk in the loss. Ronnie Bourquin (1 for 4, 2b) had the only extra base hit and Luke Putkonen (6 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 5 K) got roughed up a bit in the loss. Anthony Shawler (3 IP, 2 H, R, 2 K) threw three innings of relief and was solid aside from giving up a solo shot in the eighth. 

May 9

The Caps again couldn't get their offense going in a 6-2, fifteen inning loss to Clinton. West Michigan scored two in the first and never plated another run despite getting fourteen chances to do so. Their two runs came on a Ronnie Bourquin (1 for 6, 2b) double that scored Brent Wyatt (2 for 6) and Brandon Douglas (3 for 6, BB, SB). 

Mauricio Robles (5 IP, 2 H, 4 BB, 7 K) was very good - if a little inefficient and wild - on the mound, but over the next three innings Brayan Villareal (2 IP, H, R, BB, K) and Erik Crichton (1 IP, 3 H, R) lost the Caps' tenuous lead. The bullpen combo of Tyler Stohr (2 IP, H, K), Tyler Conn (3 IP, 3 H, 3 K) and Victor Larez (2 IP, 6 H, 4 R, BB, 2 K) was able to keep Clinton off the board until the fifteenth, but Larez finally melted down a bit and ended up giving up four runs that inning. 

May 10

West Michigan finally beat the LumberKings in another extra inning affair, 9-8. This one lasted three innings and really stretched the bullpen since Brandon Hamilton (1.2 IP, 4 H, 6 R, 4 BB, K) started and didn't make it out of the second inning. Luckily Anthony Shawler (4.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, BB, 4 K) and Jared Gayhart (4 IP, 2 H, BB, 3 K) stepped up for their long relief outings and pitched well enough to let the Caps back in the game. 

Ben Guez (2 for 7, 2b, HR)and Brent Wyatt (2 for 6, 2b, 3b) led the way for the Whitecaps, with each picking up multiple hits. Guez had the big hit in regulation, a three run homer in the bottom of the ninth that forced extra innings. The big hit in extra innings wasn't a hit at all. Brandon Douglas (1 for 6) hit a sac fly that scored Luis Palacios. Palacios was pinch running for Angel Flores (1 for 5, BB) and moved up on a bunt and a fielder's choice.

Tyler Stohr (3 IP, H, 4 K) deserves a lot of the credit for the game making it that far. He picked up where Shawler and Gayhart left off, throwing three innings of scoreless relief. 

Toledo

The Mud Hens didn't have trouble getting hits in their 8-1 loss to Pawtucket. They just had trouble getting the big hits that get runs in. The bigger problem was the Sox had no such problems. Chris Lambert (3 IP, 9 H, 7 R, 1 BB, 3 K) was roughed up for nine hits and seven runs while lasting just three innings.

The bullpen trio of Ron Chiavacci (2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 1 K), Casey Fien (2 IP, 2 H, 1 K) and Fu-Te Ni (1 IP, 1 K) did an admirable job of applying a tourniquet, but being down 7-0 in the third generally means you've already lost too much blood. Like I said, though, the Hens didn't have trouble getting hits. They had ten. 

Eight of them were singles. The other two were doubles, and with 13 at bats with runners in scoring position they managed only one hit. That was a Danny Worth (2 for 5) single that knocked in Will Rhymes (1 for 4). 

I know I keep mentioning these kind of stats for the teams that are struggling. That's because an inordinate amount of singles and an inability to string together hits once men are on are pretty good indicators of a struggling offense.

The seventh inning, the inning they scored, was even a good example of this. Rhymes, Dusty Ryan (2 for 4) and Worth all singled. With two outs, Worth took second to put runners at second and third with no objections from the Sox. Wilkin Ramirez (0 for 3, BB) drew a walk to load the bases and Brent Clevlen (1 for 4) grounded out to end the inning. This was after Brent Dlugach (0 for 4) hit into a double play to end a one out, bases loaded threat the previous inning.

I know all teams go through stretches where they can't seem to get the big hit, but to be honest that doesn't worry me as much as the lack of power. Brent Dlugach leads the current roster with an isolated power of .182, and it looks like Brent Clevlen is the only other regular cracking .150. If you're going to go that route as a team, you need a much better batting average than the Hens' .255. 

Okay, that's two days in a row I've dogged the Hens' lineup. I promise I'll take a break for doing it again for a while. 

Erie

Game 1

The wind was blowing out in Harrisburg today in game one of the doubleheader and it showed. Erie won, 9-6, as the teams combined for seven long balls. Erie's four homers accounted for six of their runs and four came by way of the ding dong for the Senators. 

For the good guys, it was Santo De Leon (1 for 4, HR) and Scott Sizemore (2 for 5, HR) going back-to-back in the fourth, followed by a pair from Ryan Strieby (3 for 3, 2 HR, BB) in the fifth and the eighth. Strieby's second homer was of the three run variety, scoring Brennan Boesch (1 for 4) and Max Leon (3 for 4, BB). Boesch had been the prior batter and had just singled in Sizemore. As you probably know, doubleheader games are seven innings in the minors so this was an extra inning rally. 

Still, the Wolves must not have liked the chance that wind gave the Sens because they sent out Brett Jensen (1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 2 K). Jensen struck out two as he wrapped this one up, but not before he gave up Harrisburg's third homer of the game. 

The first two came off Alfredo Figaro (5.2 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 4 K), who clearly had a bit of a rough go. He had plenty of company, though, as it was a tough night to toe the rubber. Josh Kite didn't give up a run, but he let an inherited runner score to earn one of those weird, early blown saves. Getting back to Figaro, it will be interesting to see if this is a) related to the stiff back that caused him to miss his last start, b) him knocking off some rust after a long layoff or c) just one of those days. After all, he can blame the gopher balls on the wind, but those were only two of the nine hits he allowed. 

Game 2

Erie was coasting, smashing more homers, in the second game before the bullpen happened along a powder keg and lit a match to see what it was. That led to a 7-6 defeat. 

The SeaWolves had a good thing going even though they had to employ a spot starter in Ramon Garcia (3 IP, H, BB, 2 K). He and Jay Sborz (2 IP, H, 2 BB, K) combined for five scoreless innings while Erie's hitter were launching long balls. 

In the third, Scott Sizemore (2 for 4, 2b, HR) hit his second homer of the day, a two run job that scored Deik Scram (2 for 3, 2b, BB). Brennan Boesch (2 for 3, HR, BB) went deep in the fourth and a few batters later so did Cale Iorg (2 for 3, 2 HR), for his first of the year. After Ryan Strieby (0 for 3) knocked in Deik Scram (2 for 3, 2b, BB) with a sac fly in the fifth - the team's only non-homer run of the game - Iorg went deep again in the sixth. 

Well, apparently that made the Senators angry. We don't like them when they're angry. They went off for six runs off a combination of Zach Simons (0.2 IP, 3 H, 5 R, BB, K) and Cody Satterwhite (1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, BB, 2 K). Simons gave up three singles and a walk before an error on Deik Scram extended the inning and let two runs in. 

Satterwhite tried to tie off the inning after that, but was greeted with a triple. He followed that with a wild pitch that scored the sixth run, a single, a balk, a walk and a strikeout. That tied the game at six and the next inning he got the first two batters before giving up a single and the game-winning double. 

Lakeland

The Flying Tigers had a game that was quite the opposite of the Erie slugfests. They beat Brevard County 2-1 in a game that featured three runs despite there being 19 hits. That's because 16 of those hits were singles. 

A big part of the reason there were only three runs was a very nice start from Andrew Hess (6 IP, 6 H, 2 BB, 7 K). He didn't give up a run and struck out seven in his six innings of work. The no runs part took some help from his defense, though. In the third, he gave up three straight singles to start the inning but Kyle Peter (2 for 2, BB, SB) cut down the runner trying to score. Hess loaded the bases again with a walk before getting a pop out and a fly ball to end the inning. 

It's unfortunate the Tigers couldn't take advantage of his start. They didn't score the game's first run until the seventh, when Hess had already been replaced by Lester Oliveros (1.1 IP, H, BB). If you've been following Lakeland, you won't be surprised to find out it was the result of Peter singling, stealing second and scoring on a single by Andy Dirks (2 for 4). 

A couple innings later, the Manatees led off with a double a second straight inning in the ninth. This time, however, they followed up with a couple singles and actually scored to tie the game. In the eighth, Oliveros and Scott Green (1.2 IP, 3 H, R, 3 K) had combined to shut them down after a leadoff double off Oliveros. 

After giving up the run, Lakeland answered in the ninth. Mike Bertram (1 for 3, 2b, BB) led off with a double and took third on a bunt. After an intentional walk and a pitching change, he scored the winner on a wild pitch. I guess you can't call that a walk off since he probably had to hustle to get in. 

West Michigan

The Whitecaps scored another shutout with a 2-0 win over Beloit. Casey Crosby (5 IP, H, 3 BB, 7 K) was a little wild, but brilliant overall, throwing five shutout innings that saw only one hit and seven Ks. Tyler Conn (1.2 IP, 3 H, BB, K), Jared Gayhart (1.1 IP, 1 K) and Tyler Stohr (1 IP, K) combined to throw four scoreless innings once Crosby had been pulled.

Conn was the only one to get into any kind of trouble. In the sixth, he gave up two singles to start the inning and followed with a wild pitch. But a ground out held the runners and then he got a strikeout after a walk to load the bases. At that point, Gayhart came in and ended the inning with a fly out. 

That allowed the Caps to hold the 1-0 lead they had just built in the bottom of the sixth. Chao-Ting Tang (2 for 3) hit a bunt single and took third on a throwing error. He then scored when Gustavo Nunez (3 for 3) singled to right. It looked like they might get more when Ben Guez (1 for 4) picked up a bunt single, but a double play and a line out later the threat was over.

The Caps added their insurance run in the eighth. The second verse was almost exactly the same as the first. Tang singled to left and took third when the left fielder misplayed it. That allowed him to score when Nunez singled to left.

With the Caps up 2-0, Stohr came in to lock up the win. 

Toledo

The Mud Hens dropped another one to Pawtucket, 2-1 this time, as their offense appears to have been defanged by the promotions of Larish and Thomas. The good news is 100% of their hits were for extra bases. The bad news is there were only two of them. Brent Clevlen (1 for 3, 2b, BB) had one of the doubles and scored the only run, but the two weren't  related. He scored after a walk, when Ryan Roberson (1 for 3, 2b, BB) drove him in with the team's other hit. 

It's a shame the Hens went to the plate with wet noodles, because Dontrelle Willis (7.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 4 BB, 4 K) held them in the game, going an out shy of eight innings and giving up only two runs. I was pretty surprised he went back out for the eighth considering he would have been in the dugout with 100 pitches thrown after the seventh. Not to mention he had just given up a homer in the seventh. 

But he went back out and after giving up a double between a strikeout and a ground, he gave up his fourth walk to the last batter he would face. Freddy Dolsi (0.1 IP, 1 K) came in and struck out the only batter he would face to end the game. 

Clevlen hit his double to lead off the ninth and put the Hens in great position to score the tying run, but Daniel Bard struck out the next three batters to put this one to bed. 

It'll be interesting to hear what is said about Willis's start. 

There will be rejoicing at the length and his only giving up a few hits and two runs, but there are the four walks. The walks are troubling as are their being matched by just four strikeouts. He also induced just 9 grounders out of 24 balls in play. I wonder if Dontrelle will get one more shot at a Triple A lineup before the Tigers decide what to do when his rehab clock (30 days) runs out.   

Erie

The SeaWolves were done in by a punchless offense, an error and the rain in a six inning, rain shortened, 2-0 loss to Harrisburg. Jon Kibler (6 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 4 BB, 3 K) seems to be getting stronger each start as he held the Senators scoreless until the sixth inning. 

He's still walking too many batters, and that could be a problem if it's because he's afraid of what will happen when they make contact. Whatever the cause, it's a problem because he has now walked more than he's struck out in four of his five starts. On the season, he has 13 walks to just 7 strikeouts. Big problem.

Even so, that's much easier to take when he gives up just three hits and two unearned runs in six innings. Those two runs were made possible by the letter 'E'. As in Scott Sizemore (0 for 3) dropped a popup with two outs and a man on first. The next batter drove one over the left field wall. After a ground out to end the inning, the game was called due to rain. Bad luck. 

The Wolves couldn't do anything with their five hits and three walks. That's probably because all the hits were singles and none of them came with runners in scoring position. Brennan Boesch (2 for 2, BB) continues to hit well, though, and didn't make an out tonight. He left that to the rest of the team, who obliged a little too much. 

Lakeland

The Flying Tigers showed some fight, but lost to Dunedin, 6-4, in ten innings. A third inning homer off Lauren Gagnier (6.1 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 1 BB, 6 K) put them down 2-0 early, but a Kody Kaiser (2 for 4, HR, BB) homer gave them a run back in the fifth. 

The Jays, however, stretched their lead to 4-1 when in the seventh they got two one out singles off Gagnier to end his night. A double off new pitcher, Pat Stanley (2.1 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 3 K), followed by a single knocked in the two runs. 

Lakeland answered the challenge with two runs of their own in the bottom of the inning. Kaiser drew a one out walk, and then with two outs Mike Gosse (2 for 4, 3b) tripled him in. Andy Dirks (3 for 3, 2b, BB) followed that up with an infield single that brought Lakeland back within a run. 

They would complete the comeback in the ninth. After singles from Chris White (1 for 4) and Gosse, Dirks doubled in a run. They almost won the game when Audy Ciriaco (0 for 5) hit a grounder to third, but for the second time in as many innings a runner was cut down at home. 

In the tenth, the Jays scored the winning run on three singles off Robbie Weinhardt (1.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 K), who had replaced Stanley for the third out in the ninth. Justin Henry (1 for 5) managed a two out single in the bottom of the tenth, but that was all the F-Tigers had in them. 

West Michigan

Matt Hoffman's (7 IP, 4 H, 2 BB, 6 K) incredibly successful season continued as he threw seven shutout innings in a 3-0 Whitecaps win. Hoffman gave up just four hits and two walks in his time on the mound and struck out six. That improves his record to 4-0 and his ERA to 0.84. He's also giving up barely more than a hit every other inning (17 in 32.1 IP). 

The Caps' offense wasn't exactly a juggernaut, but it got the job done on a good night for the pitchers. They scored the only run they would need in the first inning when Ben Guez (1 for 3, 2b, BB) doubled and scored on a Bryan Pounds (1 for 4) single. In the fifth, Brandon Douglas (1 for 3, BB, SB) singled in Gustavo Nunez (2 for 4, SB) and Brent Wyatt (0 for 1, BB) scored later in the inning on an error that should have been the third out of the inning. 

Once Hoffman's day was finished, Jared Gayhart (1 IP, 1 BB, 1 K) and Erik Crichton (1 IP, 1 BB) sewed up the shutout with a scoreless inning each. 

As you likely know, the Mud Hens had a roster tweak this week as they got Clay Rapada back, but lost Jeff Larish and Clete Thomas. This is not good news for the Mud Hens. 

Sure, everybody knew Rapada had a temp job in Detroit as they couldn't have a three man bench for long. Similarly, we knew Larish wasn't going to be bouncing balls off Frickers for that long down in Toledo. But losing Clete Thomas, too, is starting to make me nervous. 

This team's Opening Day roster gave them a shot at competing only because of good defense and the possibility of the lineup muscling their way through Triple A pitchers. Now a team that's already been struggling has lost Ryan Raburn and Clete Thomas from the Opening Day lineup and to this point they've been replaced by Jason Tyner. Yow. 

The good news for the Hens is their rotation was likely upgraded when Eddie Bonine was sent down to make room for Joel Zumaya. That move allowed Bonine to slide into the rotation, and less starts for Ron Chiavacci may help the team. It just isn't going to help them enough to balance out the loss of Thomas and Raburn in the lineup. Having Larish back would have probably went a long way, but as I said, we knew that wasn't going to last. 

I haven't heard if there will be a ripple effect through the minors from this move, but if there is you know where you'll hear about it.