Toledo

The Mud Hens lost a close one, 2-1, to Pawtucket. The Red Sox scored a run in both the third and fourth innings off starter, Luke French. French didn't have the strikeout pitch that had been getting him about a strikeout per inning, but it was a good outing nonetheless.

It's just too bad the same can't be said of the lineup. Ryan Roberson plated the only run with his first homer of the season, but there wasn't a whole lot else going on. Brent Dlugach did rap a couple doubles and Danny Worth and Clete Thomas each nabbed a base, but it's tough to steal home and nobody was knocking them in. 

Once French called it a night, Scot Drucker - pushed to the bullpen by Dontrelle - gave the Hens two great innings in relief but it just served to keep it close. 

Erie

Rained out. 

Lakeland

The Flying Tigers must have tied up their hitting shoes tonight as they beat Dunedin, 9-8. Of course, they couldn't resist the urge to keep it interesting. After jumping out to an 8-2 lead by the fourth inning they had to turn it into a nail biter late.

Thad Weber (6 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 2 K) was keeping the ball on the ground (15 of 20 balls in play) but two that were lifted left the yard. That accounted for three of the four runs he allowed. A two run shot in the sixth made it 8-4 and after a perfect inning by Robbie Weinhardt (1 IP, 2 K), Lakeland scored a pivotal run.

Kody Kaiser (3 for 3, 3b, BB, SB) singled to left, took second on a ground out and scored on a single by Andy Dirks (3 for 4, BB, 2 SB). The RBI by Dirks was pivotal because the Blue Jays roughed up Scott Green (1 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 1 K) for four runs the next inning (all unearned due to a Justin Henry error). Included in the carnage was a two run shot that pulled Dunedin within a run. 

Green struck out Adam Loewen (the converted pitcher) to end the inning and turned it over to Brett Jacobson (1 IP, 1 K) for the ninth. Jacobson sent the Jays down in order to earn the save and get Lakeland a needed win. When you've been having trouble scoring two runs, you certainly don't want to lose when you put up nine.

As mentioned, Dirks and Kaiser did most of the damage but Chris Carlson (1 for 4, HR) chipped in with his fifth homer of the season.  

West Michigan

The Whitecaps must love this game because they went extra innings again in another pitchers' duel. This time they came out ahead, though, in a 2-1 win over Burlington. (Is it impossible for anybody else to see that name and not think of the Burlington Coat Factory commercials?)

The Caps scored their first run in the second inning when Ben Guez (0 for 3, BB, SB) walked, stole second and eventually scored on a Chao-Ting Tang (1 for 4) single. After that, Burlington mustered up a threat or two off Brandon Hamilton (6 IP, 5 H, 2 BB, 2 K) but didn't tie it up until the eighth. 

They scored that off Tyler Conn (2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 2 K), who was working his second inning of relief. 

After the Caps failed to take the lead back, Erik Crichton (1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 3 K) came out for the ninth. 

He gave up a harmless single, but kept the Bees off the board. That allowed West Michigan to stage a tenth inning rally to go up 3-1. Gustavo Nunez (0 for 4, BB, SB) walked, stole second and took third on a bad third on a bad throw down to second from the catcher. He scored when the ball four pitch to Ronnie Bourquin (1 for 2, 3 BB) was wild. Once Bourquin was on, he scored as well on consecutive singles from Bryan Pounds (2 for 5) and Billy Nowlin (1 for 5). 

Crichton came back out for the tenth, but after a second baserunner reached the save was left to Tyler Stohr (0.2 IP, 1 K). A strikeout and a fly out later, it was a wrap and a win for the Caps. 

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Toledo

May 2, Toledo 14, Lehigh Valley 11

The Hens beat the Iron Pigs in an extra innings slugfest. The two teams traded blows all night, but in the eighth it looked like the Pigs had landed the knockout with a five run inning off Freddy Dolsi (0.1 IP, 2 H, 5 R, 3 BB) and Matt Rusch (2.2 IP, 4 H, 1 BB, 2 K). That made it 11-7 with the Hens having only one more shot at the plate. 

They made the most of it, though. Brent Clevlen (2 for 6, HR) led off with a homer. Don Kelly (2 for 2, 2 3b) knocked in Mike Hessman (1 for 4, 2 BB) and Will Rhymes (1 for 3, 3b, 3 BB) with a triple and then scored on a Dusty Ryan (1 for 2) single. Tie ballgame. In the bottom of the inning, Rusch shut the Pigs down and the Hens scored three in the tenth on a bases loaded triple by Kelly. 

Clete Thomas and Jeff Larish also had multiple hits as the Hens racked up the offense. Chris Lambert was on the receiving end of the Pigs' offense, with Casey Fien (1.1 IP, 1 H, 2 BB, 3 K) being the only pitcher of the night to escape largely unscathed.

May 3, Toledo 6, Lehigh Valley 5

The Mud Hens won a back and forth game that once again took ten innings to finish. Eddie Bonine (5 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 3 K) pitched pretty well for his five innings, giving up just an unearned run. However, once Ron Chiavacci (2.1 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 BB, 1 K) came in as his relief he got tagged for four runs. 

That forced the Hens to have to come back in the ninth with a run off a Jeff Larish (2 for 4, 2b, HR, BB) double that scored Wilkin Ramirez (2 for 4, BB, 3 SB). In the extra frame, Dusty Ryan hit his third homer of the season and Fu-Te Ni (2.2 IP, 1 H, 2 BB, 1 K) closed it out. It was the third inning Ni took the mound. 

The Hens' other runs came on a Larish homer, a Brent Dlugach (2 for 5) single and a two run double by Ryan Roberson (1 for 5, 2b). Clete Thomas (1 for 3, 2 BB, 2 SB) scored on both of those plays, and both came after he had nabbed a base. 

Erie

May 2, Erie 15, Altoona 1

What's there to say about this one other than it was a bloodbath. The Curve scored their only run on a homer off Luis Marte (7 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 5 K), and that only served to make it 7-1. The Wolves responded by dropping eight more runs on them. 

Cale Iorg (2 for 6), Brennan Boesch (3 for 6, 2 2b, HR), Ryan Strieby (3 for 5, 2b, BB), Jeff Frazier (3 for 5, 2b, BB) and Deik Scram (2 for 5, BB) batted two through six in the lineup and they all had multiple hits. Scott Sizemore (0 for 2, 4 BB) didn't have any hits, but walked four times and Alex Avila (1 for 4, 2b, 2 BB) reached base three times on a double and a couple walks. 

Once Marte was finished, Zach Simons (2 IP, H, 2 K) picked up the final two innings. 

May 3, Erie 7, Altoona 3

Erie fell behind 3-0 in the first six innings as Jonah Nickerson (6 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 4 K) turned in a quality start but received no run support. Luckily, he did get support from his bullpen as Josh Rainwater (1 IP, 2 H, 1 K) and Brett Jensen (2 IP, 1 H, 1 BB) shutout the Curve for the last three innings. 

That allowed the Wolves to make a comeback in the eighth, when they scored three runs. Deik Scram (1 for 4, 2b, BB) knocked in Santo De Leon (3 for 4, 2 2b) and Scott Sizemore (2 for 4, 2b, BB) with a double, and then scored on a single by Brennan Boesch. The next inning, Erie opened it up. Joe Tucker (0 for 3) knocked in Max Leon with a sac fly, and a few batters later Sizemore hit a bases loaded double that cleared the bases. The Wolves really have Altoona's number this year. 

Lakeland

May 2, Lakeland 1, Brevard County 5

The Flying Tiger offense continues to sputter. Andy Dirks (2 for 5, 2b) had the only extra base hit and RBI. Justin Henry (3 for 4) had three of the team's seven hits. 

That kind of performance makes a decent start by Andrew Hess (6 IP, 6 H, 2 R, BB, 4 K) irrelevant, and it makes Brett Jacobson's (1 IP, 4 H, 3 R, K) three run implosion in the eighth insurmountable. Robert Waite (1 IP, 1 H) threw a scoreless inning between the other two. 

May 3, Lakeland 1, Brevard County 4

Another game, another single run. The Flying Tigers again mustered just seven hits, but at least this time three of them were doubles. Jordan Newton (2 for 4, 2 2b) had two and Chris White (1 for 3, 2b) picked up the other. Surprisingly, neither scored or knocked in the team's only run. Chris Carlson (2 for 4) scored the run and Justin Henry (1 for 2, 2 BB) knocked him in. Of course, it was Newton's double between their two singles that set up the run.

On the mound, Duane Below (4 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 5 BB, 8 K) continued to rack up strikeouts, but he also racked up walks and homers allowed. The walks took up his pitch count and had him out of the game after just four innings. The homers were responsible for both runs and gave him the loss. 

Lester Oliveros (2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 3 K) gave up the other two runs in his two innings of work. Pat Stanley (2 IP, 2 K) tried to keep Lakeland in the game in case they found their bats. 

West Michigan

May 2, West Michigan 8, Burlington 2

This one was tied, 2-2, after four. After that, Luke Putkonen came out for Victor Larez and the Whitecaps got their second straight long relief appearance from a guy who's probably trying to show he could be in the rotation. You know, if the Tigers' brass were so inclined. 

Not only did Larez shut down the Bees, the lineup blew up. They scored in five of the last six innings and Billy Nowlin (3 for 3, 2b, BB), Jordan Lennerton (2 for 5), Joe Bowen (2 for 4, 2b, BB) and Luis Palacios (3 for 5, 2b, HR) all went off for multiple hits. Palacios even went yard for the second time this season. 

Don't look now, but Joe Bowen is really taking off as playing nearly every day seems to suit him. He's 11 for his last 29 and has been flashing a little pop with extra base hits in both of his most recent games. 

May 3, West Michigan 0, Burlington 1

A day after going off for eight runs on thirteen hits, the Caps get shutout for ten innings. They managed six singles with nobody picking up more than one single. They had their chances, including a one out, bases loaded situation in the fourth. They obviously didn't capitalize and were 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position. 

It's criminal Mauricio Robles' (6 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 9 K) start was wasted. He struck out nine and only gave up a couple singles and two walks in six innings. Jared Gayhart (2 IP, 1 BB, 1 K) picked up the shutout torch and carried it for two innings before handing it off to Tyler Stohr (1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 BB). 

Stohr led off his first inning with a walk before retiring the next five batters. His doom came when he gave up a two double, followed by the game-winning single. 

It's absolutely imperative for the health of the Tigers' system that their farm replenishes, and if they could do that in a hurry it would be great. It remains to be seen how having the ninth pick in the draft is going to help in that respect, as there seems to be a consensus that it's something of a weak draft in terms of overall talent. I don't really trust people's ability to judge that type of thing considering the gigantic field involved in a draft, but that's what they're saying. 

That means it would be a tremendous help to the system if some of the guys currently in the system would take a step forward and establish themselves as potential major leaguers. I intend to take a peek at the system and talk a little bit about ten players who may be doing just that. These aren't the ten best prospects or anything like that. They're just ten guys who are doing well and may present a solution or two as the Tigers make roster decisions over the next few years.

Alex Avila, c, Erie SeaWolves

22, B: L, 5'11, 185

PA: 60, .288/.383/.442, XBH%: 46.7, K%: 16.7, BB%: 13.3, BABIP: .357

There is literally nothing not to like here. He's a left-handed catcher who's hitting and doing it with an acceptable amount of power and a good approach at the plate. Behind the plate, he's had two passed balls and has thrown out 13 of 24 baserunners. He seemed to be getting tested a lot earlier in the season, but that appears to have slowed down. 

Brooks Brown, rhsp, Erie SeaWolves

23, T: R, 5'11, 200

BFP: 92, H: 17, HR: 0, K%: 8.7, BB%: 5.4 

BABIP: .221, GB%: 51, FIP: 3.20

I don't blame you if you're a little wary of these numbers. He's been lucky on balls in play and the strikeout numbers are low. However, he's a ground ball guy who has good control and a knack for keeping the ball in the yard. If the Tigers continue to invest in defense, this could be precisely the kind of pitcher who benefits. Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus recently spoke about him and mentioned a solid, three pitch mix. 

Casey Crosby, lhsp, West Michigan Whitecaps

20, T: L, 6'5, 200

BFP: 88, H: 17, HR: 1, K%: 31.8, BB%: 14.8

BABIP: .364, GB%: 62, FIP: 3.66

Pardon me if I gush a bit, but man you have to like what Crosby has done so far. That strikeout rate is sick and when you combine it with his being a ground ball machine, it's pretty exciting. He's obviously going to need to cut down the walks but a lot of pitchers struggle to find their control after Tommy John. The stuff is there and I see nothing here that tempers my excitement about this kid. 

Brent Dlugach, ss, Toledo Mud Hens

26, B: R, 6'4, 195

PA: 73, .323/.375/.538, XBH%: 38.1, K%: 21.9, BB%: 8.5, BABIP: .391

I find it interesting how so many people were getting excited about Will Rhymes this year, but there wasn't a lot of talk about Dlugach. Brent is just a month older than Rhymes and is able to play better defense. I think he's probably playing over his head right now, but he would seem to be in the mix of future utility infielders for the Tigers.

Alfredo Figaro, rhsp, Erie SeaWolves

24, T: R, 6'0, 173

BFP: 66, H: 8, HR: 2, K%: 25.7, BB%: 7.6

BABIP: .143, GB%: 63, FIP: 3.49

I was happy to see Figaro get the bump up to Erie, and am obviously happier still to see him handle it so well. Sure, the BABIP is silly low, but he's getting strikeouts and keeping the ball on the ground so he should survive that fixing itself nicely. Now we just have to hope the back stiffness that made him miss his last start isn't a serious problem.

Charlie Furbush, lhsp, Lakeland Flying Tigers

23, T: L, 6'5, 215

BFP: 75, H: 14, HR: 1, K%: 20.0, BB%: 5.3

BABIP: .250, GB%: 43, FIP: 3.00

I admit I fawn over Furbush a bit, but a big part of that is frustration with why he's never received more attention as a prospect. He was impressive in 2007 and now that he's pitching again, he's picked up where he left off in Lakeland. He's showing good control and getting a good number of strikeouts overall. 

Luis Marte, rhsp, Erie SeaWolves

22, T: R, 5'11, 170

BFP: 70, H: 16, HR: 2, K%: 24.3, BB%: 4.3

BABIP: .298, GB%: 41, FIP: 3.34

This is another guy who seems to be healthy again and I couldn't be happier about it. About the only things I can find as knocks on him early is a tendency for the hits he allows to go for extra bases (7 of 16, so far) and his being a fly ball pitcher. The latter doesn't have to be a problem if he shows this kind of control and strikeout ability. 

Wilkin Ramirez, of, Toledo Mud Hens

23, B: R, 6'2, 190

PA: 78, .310/.372/.423, XBH%: 22.7, K%: 23.1, BB%: 6.4, BABIP: .404

I'm still iffy on Ramirez because he doesn't bring great value in the field and the strikeout-to-walk ratio has always scared me. I am, happy however, to see he is handling IL pitchers better this year and that he's making good use of his speed so far (7 SB). He's hitting line drives at an unsustainable rate right now, so hopefully the power will come back as more of those turn into fly balls. 

Mauricio Robles, lhsp, West Michigan Whitecaps

20, T: L, 5'10, 160 

BFP: 83, H: 16, HR: 2, K%: 37.3, BB%: 8.4

BABIP: .339, GB%: 39, FIP: 2.98

I'm kind of surprised to see Robles back in West Michigan, but he's starting and excelling and still at a good age for this level so I'm happy. He's also a level of control right now that is a remarkable improvement over last year. The hit rate is up, but if he keeps the walks in check I can deal with the amount of hits he's allowed (still not a lot). 

Scott Sizemore, 2b, Erie SeaWolves

24, B: R, 6'0, 185

PA: 86, .311/.407/.486, XBH%: 30.4, K%: 16.3, BB%: 12.9, BABIP: 362

This is another guy I pointed out as people gushed over Will Rhymes this spring. Sizemore has a good defensive reputation, was every bit as impressive as Rhymes' 2008 offseason in 2007 is almost two full years younger. That's not a knock on Rhymes, just an illustration that Sizemore is probably the better candidate to replace Polanco and the better prospect. After a disappointing 2008 that showed three big alarms (major injury, rise in strikeouts and a drop in power) he's answering those concerns so far this season. He's obviously healthy. His power is acceptable given his position and he's not only cut his strikeouts but raised his walk rate a notch from last year. 

There is some promise here, but an incredible lack of depth in position players. Dlugach is a future utility man and Sizemore will probably be just a suitable starter, not a star. Ramirez has the most star potential, but he'll need to turn a corner to hit it. 

On the mound there's a lot of short track records and injury concerns. I'm happy with what these guys have done to this point, but it's a lot of success far from the majors for the most part. Not taking into account this year's draftees, this system could really use a boost from the Latino players coming to the States this year. 

Today, my wife needing me to clear out so she could get some schoolwork done enabled recaps a little more detailed than usual. That was good because Willis pitched for Toledo and the Whitecaps had a thrilling 15-inning marathon. Enjoy. 

Toledo

In a game that may have been as important to the Tigers as the Mud Hens, Toledo lost 6-5. I say that because Dontrelle Willis (5 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 4 K) was making a rehab start for the Hens. At first, it looked like the same Willis we've seen in Detroit as he walked the first batter and witnessed him steal two bases before Willis walked the second batter as well. 

But then Willis settled down, got a grounder to third, and Danny Worth (1 for 5) cut down the lead runner, who got in a long enough rundown to let the other two runners move up to second and third. It didn't matter, though, because Willis struck out the next two batters. 

The next inning it was two ground outs, a hitter batter and a strikeout. 

Lehigh Valley scored in the third after a leadoff double was followed by a single later in the inning. Willis was for the most part keeping the ball on the ground, though, and seemed to put the early wildness behind him. 

He was also helped by a three run fourth for the Hens. Two errors put Wilkin Ramirez (1 for 4, SB) and Jeff Larish (1 for 4, HR) on base and two walks and a hit batter scored two runs. After a visit to the mound, Will Rhymes (1 for 4) singled in another to make it 3-1.

Willis gave up another double in the fourth but it was the only hit among three more ground outs. That meant when Larish hit a two run homer the next inning, it was 5-1. That seemed to put Willis in good shape for a win, but he had his worst inning in his half of the fifth. A double and two singles scored a run. A wild pitch moved the runners up an a ground out made it 5-3. That was it for the scoring against Willis and it was also the final inning of an 102 pitch outing that gets mixed reviews. 

The good included 13 of 18 batted balls being on the ground and his getting four strikeouts, all but one on swinging third strikes. On the bad side of the ledger, you have seven hits, three for doubles, a wild pitch and a hit batter to go with the two walks that started his night. Needing 102 pitches to get through five innings isn't a great thing either. Still, compared to what we've seen from Willis in the past and combining this start with what he did in Erie, there's room for hope. 

Getting back to the game, Fu-Te Ni (0.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R) gave up the rest of the lead in the sixth before being lifted with two outs for Nick Regilio (2.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K). Regilio would get out of that inning with no further scoring damage. He also was able to go the rest of the game, but that was partly because Lehigh Valley didn't need to bat in the ninth. 

That was because they scored what would be the winning run in the eighth. An error on Rhymes started the inning. It was followed by a stolen base, a single to left, and a sac fly to left. That put the Pigs up 6-5 and the Hens went silently in the ninth, 1-2-3.

Erie

The SeaWolves rode a four run first inning to a 5-2 win over Altoona. They jumped out to a quick lead by roughing up Daniel Moskos in the first. Scott Sizemore led off with a walk, and after a fielder's choice a single by Deik Scram and a Ryan Strieby walk loaded the bases. That allowed Jeff Frazier to clear them with a double and Brennan Boesch followed with another double to make it 4-0. 

The Wolves made it 5-0 in the fourth when Max Leon doubled in Jeff Kunkel, and then they just held on. Brooks Brown gave up back-to-back doubles in the bottom of the inning but was able to work out of any further trouble until he was pulled after leading off the eighth with a walk. Cody Satterwhite gave up singles to the first two batters he faced to allow the Curve's second run of the game. He wriggled free of that jam (with the help of Kunkel, who gunned down a would be base stealer) and struck out the side in the ninth, with only a harmless single among the strikeouts.

Lakeland

The Flying Tigers are making a little too much of a habit of putting up almost no offense. Today they picked up just four singles and a walk in a 2-0 loss to Brevard County. One of their only really good chances to score came in the fourth inning when they loaded the bases with a single by Mike Bertram (1 for 4), Audy Ciriaco (0 for 4) reaching on an error and Chris White (1 for 3, BB) drawing a walk. This set up Chris Carlson (0 for 3) for a shot to give the team the lead, but he struck out and only one more runner would reach even second base. 

On the other side things, the pitching was pretty good but the Manatees were able to exploit Jordan Newton (0 for 3) behind the plate for six stolen bases. One of those led to the first run of the game in the fourth. Lauren Gagnier (4.1 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 5 K) gave up a single. The runner stole second, took third on a bunt and scored on a double. The double would have scored two, but Peter threw out the runner trying to score from first. 

The next inning, Gagnier was pulled for Trevor Feeney (1.2 IP, 3 H, 1 BB, 1 K) with a man on first with one out. After striking out his first batter, Feeney gave up a walk and a single for the game's second run. 

He and Robbie Weinhardt (2 IP, 2 H, 3 K) were solid after that, but the Manatees had all the runs they needed. Weinhardt has now struck out 17 and walked 3 in 9 innings of work while giving up five hits and no runs. After what he did last season at this level, he's now thrown 44.1 innings in this league with 24 hits and one homer allowed while striking out 61 and walking 14. There may not be another pitcher in the system so anxious for a shakeup in assignments.

West Michigan

The Caps won a marathon over Cedar Rapids, 6-5, in fifteen innings. The real hero in this one was Matt Hoffman (8 IP, 4 H, 5 K), who made about as good a case as he possibly could that he should be considered for the starting rotation. After Casey Crosby (4 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 6 K) ran into a little trouble in the fourth and fifth innings, Hoffman came in and threw eight innings without giving up a single run of his own. 

He had entered the game with a man on first and the game tied, but after he let Crosby's runner score his incredibly long relief stint let the Caps come back and stay alive despite not scoring after the seventh. 

That was when Bryan Pounds (2 for 6, 1 2b, 1 BB) hit a sac fly to center to score Ben Guez (0 for 5) and tie the game at four. The Caps' first three runs scored in the fourth Joe Bowen (3 for 7, 3b) tripled in Billy Nowlin (1 for 3) and Jordan Lennerton (2 for 5, 2b, 3 BB) and then scored on a Chao-Ting Tang (1 for 7) single. 

The game stayed knotted up until the Caps scored a run when Pounds doubled in Brandon Douglas (2 for 6, BB). That would have given Hoffman the much deserved win, but Erik Crichton couldn't hold onto the win. He gave up the tying run on a walk and a couple singles. 

Neither team could score in the fourteenth, where Crichton was replaced by Tyler Conn. Then in the fifteenth Gustavo Nunez (1 for 8, 3b) led off with a triple. A single from Brent Wyatt (1 for 5, 2 BB, SB) scored him without giving up an out yet, but the Caps couldn't get a second run across. 

That left it to Conn to try to protect the lead, and he did a fantastic job of it. He struck out  the innings's first two batters, and after giving up a single, completed striking out the side. 

It should be noted Crosby displayed his considerable talent even in this short outing. If you look at the second and third innings combined, you see he struck out four consecutive batters. Overall, he struck out six and two of the six hits he allowed were of the infield variety. 

Luis Salas (0 for 1) and Brandon Douglas both left this game early for what may have been injuries. Salas was replaced in the second, causing Wyatt and Tang to shift to left and right, respectively, and allowing Guez to come in as the center fielder. Douglas left after what Whitecap Wendy from Motownsports.com described as a collision at the plate that left him a little groggy. He was replaced by Luis Palacios, who had pinch run for Nowlin and had been serving as the designated hitter.

Toledo

The Mud Hens fell to Lehigh Valley, 4-2. Ruddy Lugo (6 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 3 BB, 3 K) was unfortunate to have most of the damage against him come in one inning. In the fourth, he gave up two walks, two singles, a double and J.J. Furmaniak reached on an error by Jeff Larish (1 for 3, 1 BB). (I'm sure you heard already, but Larish came down when the Tigers called up Clay Rapada for an extra lefty in the pen.) They didn't come in that order, but that led to three runs. The next inning, a hit batter, a single and a sac fly scored the Iron Pigs' fourth run.

That put the Hens down 4-0 and they weren't able to stage a good response until the ninth inning. Wilkin Ramirez (1 for 3, BB) led off the inning with a walk and Larish singled. A passed ball moved the runners up to second and third, but the threat was defused when both Mike Hessman (0 for 4) and Brent Clevlen (0 for 4) struck out. Clete Thomas (2 for 4, 2b) did single to knock in the two runs, but it would've taken another mini-rally to extend the game. Ryan Roberson (0 for 4) didn't have a rally in him, as he struck out to end the game.

Casey Fien (2 IP, H, 3 K) pitched two innings of relief and struck out three.

Erie

Did not play.

Lakeland

The Flying Tigers won their second straight, 4-2, over Tampa. The Yankees' two runs came early, but Lakeland overtook them eventually. The big hit in doing so was Mike Bertram's (2 for 4, HR) two run homer in the sixth that put them up 3-2. It came after a double by Jordan Newton (2 for 5, 2b), and in the seventh Bertram knocked in another run when he singled in Andy Dirks (2 for 5, SB).

The team's first run scored in the second inning. Kyle Peter (2 for 4, 2b, SB) bunted for a single, stole second and scored on a single by Dirks. Those two have really raised havoc for the opponent the past couple games. 

On the mound, Charlie Furbush (5 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 2 K) was serviceable. He just didn't have the kind of game he's led us to expect with his two walks matching his strikeout total. He was the beneficiary of some great bullpen work, though. Pat Stanley (3 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 K) threw three scoreless innings and Scott Green (1 IP, 1 H, 1 K) picked up the ninth for the save.

West Michigan

The Whitecaps made a late comeback to beat Cedar Rapids, 2-1. I said in my season preview we would see a lot of the pitchers on this staff get starts and I guess that's being shown as accurate with Victor Larez and Brayan Villareal (4 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 3 K) getting the nod the last couple games.

Villareal was very effective in his first start of the season, giving up just one hit and one walk in his four innings of work. He was relieved by Anthony Shawler (3.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 2 K), who pitched well but looked for a while like he might get the loss after he gave up a run in the sixth. 

The Caps responded quickly, however. Billy Nowlin (2 for 4) led off the seventh with a single and scored two batters later when Chao-Ting Tang (2 for 4, 3b) tripled him in to tie it. Tang then scored when Luis Palacios (0 for 3) flew out to center, and it was then up to the pitchers to hold the lead. 

Shawler and Jared Gayhart (1.1 IP, 2 K) did just that. Gayhart came in after Shawler gave up a two out double in the eighth and retired all four batters he faced, striking out two. 

He didn't figure in the scoring, but Angel Flores (1 for 2, 2b, 2 BB) had a double and two walks. 

Between there being only three games played, Erie playing a day game and the Tigers allowing me to steal away from what looked like a blowout, I was able to insert a little more commentary into today's recap. I hope you enjoy it.

Toledo

Did not play

Erie

The SeaWolves lost to Bowie, 6-1, but that wasn't the worst news. Alfredo Figaro missed his start due to tightness in his lower back. I'm not an injury expert, but I certainly hope this is just something one missed turn or a few days off can take care of. A major injury at this point for Figaro would feel kind of like Luis Marte going down last year right when things were getting interesting. 

With Figaro out, Jay Sborz (3.1 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 BB, 3 K) made the emergency start and it didn't go well from there. Sborz made it into the fourth inning, but had a rough time getting there. When he came out, the Wolves were down 3-0 and runners were at the corners with no outs. Ramon Garcia (3 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 3 K) let one of those runners score and then gave up runs in the fifth and sixth innings as well. 

The game was largely out of reach at that point as the lineup had little luck getting anything going against Bowie's Brandon Erbe. Josh Kite (1.2 IP, 2 H, 4 BB, 2 K) and Joe Tucker (1 IP, 2 H, 1 BB), yes the position player, finished out the final 2 2/3 innings and Scott Sizemore (1 for 4, HR) hit a solo shot to avoid the shutout, but it wasn't a banner day for the Wolves. 

Of course, that doesn't mean nobody had a good day. Alex Avila (2 for 4) continued to turn around a slow start as his two hits gives him five in his last three games. Something  else I noticed in the recap was Iorg getting pulled in the seventh. 

The linked article doesn't mention an injury, but I don't really see anything that would have suggested a benching for poor play or an attitude (Brookens once benched Gorkys Hernandez for not hustling) but Iorg came off the bench as a pinch runner in the prior game. Is he just sitting to try to work through a slump? Is he hurt or is there some attitude going on? I hate rumor-mongering, but this is something to keep an eye on. 

Lakeland

The Flying Tigers had their turn at shutting down the other offense as they beat Tampa, 5-0. Thad Weber (7 IP, 2 H, 3 BB, 6 K) was the starter and was instrumental in that shutout, of course, and he's now given up a run in only one of his four starts. This one included not only a season high six strikeouts, but of seventeen balls put in play thirteen were grounders. That's an impressive outing in what's been an impressive season for the 23-year old.

Luckily, the offense was finally getting it done while Weber was putting up zeroes. In two different innings, Kyle Peter (2 for 3, BB, 2 SB) and Andy Dirks (1 for 2, 2 BB, 2 SB) started things up by getting on base and both scored.

In the fifth, Peter singled, stole second, took third on Dirks' single and scored when those two executed a double steal. Dirks then scored on sac fly to left. In the seventh, they both walked, did another double steal to move up to second and third, and eventually both scored on an Audy Ciriaco (2 for 3, BB) single. That put the F-Tigers up 5-0, with their first run of the game coming when Mike Gosse (1 for 3) singled in Ciriaco. 

Getting back to Dirks and Peter, the league is either helpless to stop them or they are very good at picking their spots. It's probably some of both, but each has stolen seven bases already this season and neither has been caught. 

One last mention. Lester Oliveros (2 IP, 3 BB, 1 K) threw the last two innings without incident other than three walks. He had been doing alright on the walks, but has now walked four in his last three innings. 

West Michigan

The Whitecaps lost 3-0 and were put in a situation similar to that of Erie. Victor Larez (3 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 2 K) was pressed into starting duty on a night when Brandon Hamilton seemed to be the expected starter. He didn't do too badly, but gave up a couple runs in his three innings, one unearned because of a fielding error on Bryan Pounds (1 for 3, BB). (No word that I've seen why Hamilton didn't pitch.)

The bullpen did their best to give the lineup a shot. Tyler Conn (2.1 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 2 K), Tyler Stohr (1.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 K) and Anthony Shawler (1 IP, 1 H, 1 K) threw a combined five innings, gave up one run between them and struck out four against one walk.

It didn't matter, though, because despite seven walks the Caps couldn't get anything going. They went 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position and all three of their hits were singles. Bryan Pounds and Brent Wyatt (0 for 1, 2 BB) were the only two to get on base more than once and they had only one runner reach as far as third base. Even that was due to a balk. One of those days.

Toledo

The Mud Hens lost to Columbus, 5-3. The two traded runs in the second, but Columbus came back with two in the third and never looked back. Luke French (5 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 BB, 7 K) gave up seven hits and three runs in his five innings of work and Nick Regilio (2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 1 K) gave up the other two on a two run shot in the sixth. Regilio stuck it out for another inning and Freddy Dolsi (2 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 K) buttoned up the last couple innings of the loss. At the very least, it's good to see French continue to rack up the strikeouts. Now if he could just hold down the hits and walks at the same time.

The Hens did make a bit of a late charge. Trailing 5-1 in the eighth, Ryan Roberson (1 for 3, 2b, BB) hit a two run double that scored Wilkin Ramirez (4 for 5, 2 2b) and Brent Dlugach (0 for 2, 2 BB). After that, a single by Don Kelly (1 for 3) and a walk to Maxim St. Pierre (1 for 3, 2b, BB) loaded the bases but Danny Worth (1 for 5) couldn't finish off the comeback, grounding out to end the threat. 

Erie

The SeaWolves had a nice comeback, 5-4, extra inning win over Bowie to avenge the previous night's blown lead. After falling behind 3-0 in the third as Jon Kibler's (6 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 3 BB, 1 K) Double A struggles continued, Erie scored a run in the third and another in the fifth to pull within a run. Scott Sizemore (1 for 4, BB) singled in Deik Scram (3 for 5, 2 2b) for the run in the third and Scram doubled in Shawn Roof (2 for 3, 2 BB) in the fifth. 

Bowie answered with a run on three more singles off Kibler in the sixth, but they wouldn't score again. Josh Rainwater (4.1 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 5 K) came in and locked them down with 4 1/3 fantastic innings, which enabled the comeback.

In the bottom of the ninth, Alex Avila (1 for 4, 2b, BB) led off with a walk. After a fly out, Roof singled and another Scram double put the Wolves down one and the winning run at second. Max Leon (1 for 4, BB) knocked in the tying run with a ground out to second, but Sizemore couldn't plate Scram for the win. 

That would come in the eleventh. After Brett Jensen (0.2 IP, 1 H, 1 K) relieved Rainwater and wiggled free from a bases loaded, one out jam, the hitters took over. Avila led off with a double and Cale Iorg pinch ran for him. A sac fly by Santo De Leon (0 for 3, BB) moved him to third and after what I expect was an intentional non-intentional walk to put the double play in effect, Scram lifted a fly to left deep enough to let Iorg score. 

It was another great night for Scram and an excellent win for the home crowd. 

Lakeland 

The Flying Tigers continue to be nearly harmless at the plate in a 3-1 loss to Tampa. They again managed only five hits, and the only thing between them and another shutout was a ninth inning homer by Kody Kaiser (1 for 4, HR). Jordan Newton (1 for 4, 2b) supplied the team's only other extra base hit. 

Besides the punchless plate appearances, the other disappointment in this one was Duane Below (3.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 4 BB, 1 K) having his first rough outing of the young season. He gave up a homer in the first, but the fourth was his undoing. After a leadoff walk, he sandwiched another walk in between a couple outs. A third walk loaded the bases and a fourth walk both scored a run and ended Below's night. 

I hope it was just an off night for Below and the loss of control and the early exit weren't because of an injury. It's hard to tell because it's not uncommon to get the hook after a walk with the bases loaded.

Aside from Robert Waite (2.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 BB) giving up a homer in the fifth, the bullpen did a good job. Once Waite was finished with his two innings, Brett Jacobson (2 IP, 1 BB, 2 K) and Robbie Weinhardt (1 IP, 1 H, 1 K) threw three scoreless innings.

West Michigan

The Whitecaps had their hot streak stopped as they were beaten by Lansing, 5-2. Mauricio Robles (4.2 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 1 BB, 5 K) had his hot streak ended as well, giving up eight hits and four runs without getting out of the fifth. His undoing was the second inning, when he gave up four singles, a double and a homer for all the runs he allowed. 

On the offensive side of things, the Caps just couldn't make up for the big inning. They scored a run in the first when Brandon Douglas (2 for 5, 2b) and Bryan Pounds (1 for 4, 2b) both doubled. Their second run didn't come until the eighth, when Luis Palacios (0 for 1, BB) walked, took second on a wild pitch and third on the catcher's throwing error while he moved up on the wild pitch. He was then able to score when Pounds grounded out to second. 

Despite the Caps tallying eleven hits, that was all they could do for runs. Going 1 for 12 with men in scoring position didn't help and neither did nine of those hits being singles. Luis Salas (3 for 4) was able to rack up three of the singles.

West Michigan continues to get good innings out of their bullpen. Jared Gayhart (3.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 5 K) struck out five in 3 1/3 innings and Erik Crichton (1 IP, 2 H) K'd a couple more in a perfect ninth. 

Toledo

The Mud Hens beat Columbus, 9-6, in a game that was a little closer than Toledo probably would have liked. They were ahead 9-2 heading into the top of the eighth, Ron Chiavacci (5 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 6 K) gave up a couple runs on the tail end of a great outing and Matt Rusch (1 IP, 2 H, 2 R) gave up a two run shot in the ninth to put the Clippers within shouting distance of a comeback. 

It wasn't to be, though, so neither a good day for the lineup nor Chiavacci's best game of the young season were wasted. The Hens' lineup built an 8-2 lead by the fifth inning. The first run came in the first when Don Kelly (3 for 5) followed a Jason Tyner (1 for 5, 3b) triple with a single.  Toledo scored five more in the third on the strength of four singles, a walk, a passed ball and two errors. Mike Hessman (1 for 5) had a two run single and Will Rhymes (1 for 3, BB) knocked in a run with a single of his own, and the other two runs came in on errors. 

The ugliness for the Clippers reared its head again in the fifth. Brent Dlugach (1 for 4) led off the inning with a single, followed by a Clete Thomas (3 for 4, 2 2b, HR) double. Columbus starter, Kirk Saarloos, responded to the jam with a couple wild pitches that scored both runners. 

That put the Clips in an 8-2 hole and a homer by Thomas in the seventh made it 9-2. The two runs the Clippers managed came off Eddie Bonine (3 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 K) as he tried to stretch out his arm to join the Toledo rotation. Bonine was on a pitch limit and after throwing 55 pitches in three innings, his day was complete. That's where Chiavacci came in and gave an excellent effort for the next five innings, striking out six and walking none.

Erie

The SeaWolves lost 9-7 in one of those losses that can haunt a team. After building a 6-0 lead in the first four innings, the wheels came off for Jonah Nickerson (4.1 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 4 BB) in the fifth. The first five batters in that inning reached on a walk, three singles and a double. That provided most of the damage, but after finally getting an out Nickerson gave up another double and his day was finished. 

Zach Simons (2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 5 K) finished the inning with a couple strikeouts. In the sixth, Erie got some breathing room with a Deik Scram (1 for 4, HR, BB) home run, but it wouldn't matter. After getting his fifth strikeout to start the seventh, Simons gave up a walk and a double before getting pulled in favor of Josh Kite (2.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 K). 

Kite promptly gave up a two run double. Later in the inning, a two run homer off Kite served as the coup de grace. Neither team would score again. 

Just so I don't seem like a pessimist, let's cover the few good innings for the Wolves. They scored four in the second with the first runs coming on a two run double by Jeff Frazier (3 for 5, 2b) to score Brennan Boesch (1 for 5) and Alex Avila (2 for 4, 2b, 3b, BB). After Joe Tucker (1 for 4) was hit by a pitch, Shawn Roof (2 for 4) knocked in a couple more with a single and an error on the right fielder. Avila knocked in another run the next inning with a triple and the inning after that, Cale Iorg (1 for 4) made it 6-0 with an RBI single. 

It wasn't all a horror show for Nickerson, either. He shut the Baysox out for four innings. Of course, even in those innings he walked three batters and earned no strikeouts. Still, he put together four solid innings and he'll have to hope it's something he can build on for his next outing. 

Lakeland

Lakeland lost an ugly one, 6-0 to Tampa. There wasn't much to like about this game. Andrew Hess (5 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 2 K) was collared with the loss after giving up four runs in five innings, only one of which was earned because of a couple errors by Audy Ciriaco (1 for 4). The one earned run would have been enough, though, because the offense couldn't get it going either. 

They had just five hits and they were all singles. About the only good news here was Jordan Newton (2 for 4) picked up two of those hits in his Hi A debut. 

Once Hess was out of the game, Trevor Feeney (2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 K) came in and gave up a couple more unearned runs due to Chris Carlson's second error of the game. It's not like Feeney pitched a wonderful couple innings, though. Thankfully, Scott Green (2 IP, 1 BB, 3 K) was able to get this one over without further incident in his two innings. His outing would qualify as the only other good news in this stinker. 

West Michigan

The Whitecaps continue to roll with a 5-1 win over Lansing. Luke Putkonen (6 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 4 K) was the starter in this one and went six innings without giving up a run. That allowed the Caps to build a 5-0 lead with four of those runs coming in the third inning.

In that third inning, two singles and a walk loaded the bases. Brandon Douglas (1 for 3) knocked in the first run with a sac foul fly and Ronnie Bourquin (1 for 4, 3b) brought in two more with a triple. Bourquin then came in on a single by Bryan Pounds (1 for 4) to make it 4-0. 

That would have been enough but the Caps scored another in the sixth. Billy Nowlin (1 for 4, 2b) doubled and scored on a single by Joe Bowen (2 for 4). Putkonen handed the game over to Anthony Shawler (2 IP, 2 H, 3 K) after the sixth and Shawler threw a couple scoreless frames. 

Tyler Conn (1 IP, 2 H, 1 R) came out for the ninth with the big lead and got out of the inning after giving up a couple doubles for the Lugnuts' only run.

Okay, I'm back from vacation. Refreshed and ready to get back to diligently covering the Tigers' minor leaguers. However, I am not going to talk about the games that took place while I was gone. I figured I'd catch up by talking about their records, the roster changes and maybe some players of note since I left. 

Because of the time I started and ended this post, some of the team and individual stats are before Monday's games and some are after. I don't see it as a huge deal. 

West Michigan

Overall: 12-3

April 17-26: 7-2

Transactions: Jade Todd was moved to the disabled list and replaced in the bullpen by Tyler Conn.  

Jordan Newton was promoted to Lakeland, while Angel Flores will take over as the team's second catcher. 

Notables: The Whitecaps lead the league in batting average (.290), are fourth in runs (82 in 15 games) and second in both on-base percentage (.355) and slugging (.415). It will be interesting to see if they can keep it up without Newton (.386/.438/.750 in 44 ABs), but they are getting great contributions from Jordan Lennerton (1.085 OPS), Billy Nowlin (1.008 OPS), Brandon Douglas (.939 OPS) and Ronnie Bourquin (.822).

Of course, it also doesn't hurt that they're giving up the fewest runs (46 R in 15 games). Three of their starters, Casey Crosby (2.08), Mauricio Robles (2.81) and Luke Putkonen (2.08) all have ERAs below three and have given up a combined 30 hits in their 46.1 innings of work. Their work and solid efforts from the bullpen are a big part of the low run count as well as a high strikeout (141 Ks in 130.2 IP) total, good for third in the league.   

Lakeland

Overall: 7-9

April 17-26: 4-5

Transactions: Jordan Newton was promoted from West Michigan as Jeff Kunkel was bumped up to Erie.

Mike Gosse was called up to replaced Shawn Roof on the roster. Roof was promoted to Erie. 

Notables: It's a little too early to get excited about Mike Gosse (4 for 11, HR) and Chris White (5 for 16, 3 2b) doing a good job as roster replacements for Jeramy Laster and Shawn Roof. However, there isn't a whole lot else to talk about in the lineup as Chris Carlson (.250/.327/.523 in 44 AB) is about the only regular pulling his weight to this point. Their 55 runs to this point puts them down among the league's trailers in runs. 

On the pitching end, their team ERA of 3.08 (4th in the FSL) is a little misleading because they've given up 16 unearned runs. A big part of the effort has come from Duane Below, who has struck out 25 in three starts and is carrying a 1.15 ERA. Thad Weber (17 IP, 10 K, 2 BB, 1.06 ERA) and Charlie Furbush (14 IP, 11 H, 13 K, 2 BB, 2.57 ERA) have also done well as starters. From the bullpen, Pat Stanley (11 IP, 11 K), Robbie Weinhardt (13 K, 6 IP, 2 H) and Lester Oliveros (7.2 IP, 6 H, 5 K, 2 BB) are getting it done. I'd expect Scott Green to come around once he gets some better luck on balls in play (7 IP, 9 K, 1 BB, 10 H). 

Erie

Overall: 10-6

April 17-26: 5-3

Transactions: Dontrelle Willis is on the team on a rehab assignment. 

Mike Hollimon went on the disabled list with his banged up knee and Shawn Roof is filling his spot on the roster. 

Jeff Kunkel joined the team as Maxim St. Pierre was called up to Toledo.

Notables: Max Leon is killing the ball to the tune of a .373/.429/.804 line on the season. Eleven of his nineteen hits to this point have gone for extra bases. Also chipping in with solid performances to date are Ryan Strieby (1.079 OPS, 5 HR), Deik Scram (.928 OPS, 10 BB, 11 K) and Scott Sizemore (.922 OPS, 10 BB, 12 K). It pains me to point out one player not contributing yet at the plate is Cale Iorg. He's hitting .167 and has struck out 21 times against just one walk. As a whole the Wolves' lineup has put their pitchers in good position as they sit at third in the league with 81 runs on the season. 

Their pitchers' overall performance to this point lags behind the offense, but that doesn't mean they haven't seen some top notch contributions from their staff. Alfredo Figaro (18.2 IP, 8 H, 17 K, 5 BB, 0.96 ERA), Luis Marte (17.2 IP, 16 H, 17 K, 3 BB, 3.57 ERA) and Brooks Brown (17.2 IP, 10 H, 3 BB, 7 K, 0.00 ERA) have all been excellent to date. In comparison, the bullpen has scuffled a bit and the two pitchers they've used as closers, Brett Jensen (5 IP, 3 H, 1 BB, 5 K) and Cody Satterwhite (7 IP, 6 H, 5 BB, 10 K) have been a little hot and cold. 

Toledo

Overall: 9-8

April 17-26: 3-6

Transactions: Jason Tyner was brought in from the Milwaukee organization after Ryan Raburn was called up. 

Scott Williamson was released to make room on the roster for Eddie Bonine, who was sent to Toledo to make room for Joel Zumaya in Detroit.

Finally, Maxim St. Pierre was promoted from Erie after Dane Sardinha was called up to fill in for the injured Matt Treanor. 

Notables: The Mud Hens have been plating plenty of runs (89 in 18 games is 3rd in the IL), but when you see Mike Hessman (hitting .181), Dusty Ryan (hitting just .163) and Will Rhymes (.214) struggling so badly you can't help but feel a little disappointed. Unfortunately, they lost one of their big bats in Raburn and Tyner isn't going to fill that hole. We'll see if others can step up to help out Brent Dlugach (.339/.375/.576 in 59 AB) and Don Kelly (.333/.435/.410 in 39 AB) as the two vets try to prop up the lineup. I wouldn't count on those two for long, so those already mentioned as well as Clete Thomas, Wilkin Ramirez and Ryan Roberson will need to step up soon to keep Toledo near the top of the division.

The lineup needs to step up because I don't know how much they can expect their pitching to carry the load. Lucas French (17 IP, 15 H, 3 BB, 17 K, 2.65 ERA) has been the star early and getting Eddie Bonine should help, but this looks to be a fragile rotation held up by minor league vets. Out of the bullpen, things have been a little rough. Nick Regilio leads the team in walks with eleven and Casey Fien (10 IP, 11 H, 4 BB, 10 K) has scuffled a bit early. On the brighter side, Fu-Te Ni (12 IP, 10 H, 4 BB, 13 K) and Freddy Dolsi (9 IP, 5 H, 3 BB, 6 K) have provided some good innings later in the games. However, if it weren't for a good defense behind this staff I'm not sure the Hens would be on the good side of .500. 

Before we get down to the day's recaps, I just wanted to let readers know I'm going to be taking a hiatus from the blog for a week. My wife and I are taking a trip out to the Pacific Northwest to see Seattle and Portland. If you're wondering, yes, we will be catching the Tigers while we're there. We'll be watching Saturday's game and hoping we can track down fellow MVN blogger, Samara. I probably should have arranged to have one of our diligent readers fill in the game recaps while I'm gone, but I'll just have to catch up with some major novel length posts when I return. To the recaps!

Toledo

The Mud Hens lost their home opener to the Clippers, 2-1. The game seemed to get off on the right foot when Will Rhymes (1 for 5, 3b) tripled to lead off the game. But he was stranded at third, and it was that kind of game. Toledo ended up with ten hits, but went just 1 for 12 with runners in scoring position. Wilkin Ramirez (2 for 4) was the only Hen with more than one hit, and Mike Hessman (1 for 3, 2b, BB) had the only one for extra bases besides Rhymes' triple to start the game. 

Ron Chiavacci (5.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 5 K) got the start for the Hens and certainly pitched well enough to keep them in it. He gave up runs in the third and the sixth innings with the one in the third being unearned and the second run coming on a homer. Fu-Te Ni (1.1 IP, 1 K) picked up for him in the sixth and after retiring all four batters he faced, turned it over to Matt Rusch (2 IP, 1 H, 1 K) for the final two innings. 

Erie

What's left of the Erie SeaWolves was able to shutout Altoona, 3-0. I kid because the Wolves have already lost a pitcher (Brendan Wise), an infielder (Mike Hollimon) and an outfielder (Casper Wells) to the disabled list. Shorthanded or not, though, they gave a solid effort tonight. 

They jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first when Scott Sizemore (4 for 4, 2 2b, BB) doubled and then scored when Max Leon (1 for 4, SB) lay down a bunt and the Curve botched it. That would be all the scoring until the eighth inning, but I doubt the fans were too bored. 

I say that because Alfredo Figaro (7 IP, 3 BB, 5 K) threw seven no-hit innings and even though the Wolves were on the road, people tend to pay attention to something like that. After Figaro shut down the Curve in the seventh, Erie earned an insurance run in the eighth. Sizemore started it again by drawing a walk. He took second on another bunt by Leon, and scored on a Brennan Boesch (1 for 4) single. In the bottom of the inning, Zach Simons (1 IP, 1 K) kept the combined no-hitter going. 

Erie added another run in the ninth when Sizemore doubled in Santo De Leon (2 for 4), but the real excitement must have been seeing if Brett Jensen (1 IP, 1 H, 1 BB) could wrap it up without giving up a base knock. It wasn't to be, though. After a couple ground outs and a walk, he gave up a double before getting the final out on a fly ball to right. 

So close. It's still good to see Figaro handling Double A so well. It would just be nice to see Erie beat a team besides the Curve. 

Lakeland

Game 1

The Flying Tigers played a doubleheader against Clearwater and lost the first game, 1-0. Duane Below (5.2 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 9 K) was a strikeout machine again, but did give up seven hits that led to the game's only run. He almost had the short complete game, but Brett Jacobson (0.1 IP) was brought in to get the final out of the sixth.

In any event, Below pitched well enough to get a win. It's just hard to get that when your lineup only manages three singles, none of which come with men in scoring position. Kyle Peter (1 for 3, SB), Andy Dirks (1 for 3, SB) and Kody Kaiser (1 for 3, SB) were the Lakeland hitters to pick up hits in the loss. Interestingly, they all stole a base as well.

Game 2

The second game went much better for Lakeland, as they won, 6-3. They racked up twelve hits this time despite the game being shortened to seven innings. Not only that, they paired all those hits with a good start from Pat Stanley, who only gave up one hit and one run in his five innings of work. 

While he was shutting the Threshers down for the most part, Lakeland was able to take a 2-1 lead. Shawn Roof tripled in Adrian Casanova for the first run and Justin Henry knocked in Roof with a single. Lakeland added another run in the sixth when Mike Bertram hit his first home run of the season. They added three more in the seventh, which came off a bases loaded, bases clearing double by Andy Dirks.

It was a good thing he came through because in the bottom of the inning, Clearwater got to reliever Lester Oliveros. Oliveros had been perfect in the sixth, but was pulled after going double, single, single, double play and single. That sequence made it 6-3 for Trevor Feeney, who retired the only batter he faced to end the game. 

West Michigan

Day off.