Toledo 0, Louisville 9 (Reds)

Andy Oliver (LHP) gave up 5 ER in 4 2/3 IP to take the loss. Fu Te Ni (LHP) continued the poor Mud Hens’ pitching performance after giving up 4 ER in 1 2/3 IP. For anyone looking for a pitching
“silver lining” from this one, Matt Hoffman (LHP) threw 2 2/3 innings of shutout baseball, didn’t walk a batter, and K’ed 2.

Scott Sizemore (2B) went 1-2 with 2 BB. Ryan Strieby (1B) went 1 for 3.

Since Erie, Lakeland, and West Michigan were all off on 4/24, I’ll catch everyone up on some prospects enjoying a solid 2011.

Erie

Ben Guez (OF) – In 42 ABs, Guez is hitting .381 with a .440 OBP. He’s also hit 2 homers and driven in 9. 

Bryan Pounds (3B) – Pounds is hitting .314 in 51 Abs. He’s also getting on base at a .386 clip. If he can reduce his strike outs he’ll be in good shape (he’s been K’ed 14 times).

Jacob Turner (RHP) – In 3 starts, Turner has posted an ERA of 1.83 with 20 strikeouts and 3 walks. His WHIP is sub-1 at .081. This guy is going to be great.

Chance Ruffin (RHP) – In 5 appearances, Ruffin has pitched 3 1/3 innings. He has a 2.70 ERA and has K’ed 2 while walking 3.

Lakeland

Tony Plagman (1B) – .364/.425/.561 in 66 ABs over 17 games. He’s driven in 18 and hit 3 homers.

Gustavo Nunez (SS) – .338/.411/.569 in 65 ABs over 16 games. Nunez has only 2 RBIs from solo shot home runs. Notably, he has struck out as many times as he has walked (7 apiece).

Kenny Faulk (LHP) – Faulk has appeared in 8 games and thrown 8 2/3 innings. In less than 9 innings of work, he has struck out 15 and walked 1. His ERA through 2011 is 1.04.

West Michigan

Hernan Perez (SS) – .391/.481/.500 over 46 ABs and 13 games. Impressively, he’s walked 6 times and only struck out twice.

James Robbins (1B) – Hitting .333 and leading the team with 11 RBIs in 51 plate appearances. Strikeouts are a problem, 22 to 2 walks.

Robert Brantly (C) – .378/.452/.541 in 37 ABs over 10 games. He’s 2 RBI behind Robbins for the team lead.

Kevin Eichhorn (RHP) – Leads the team in strikeouts with 14 over 13 1/3 IP. Needs to lower his WHIP (1.75) and ERA (4.73).

Richard Zumaya (RHP) – Has not allowed a run in 6 2/3 innings of work over 3 games. Has K’ed 6 while walking 5.

Toledo 7, Indianapolis 1 (Pirates)

Timo Perez (LF) led the way for the Mud Hens going 3-4 with a double and 2 runs scored. Other notable offensive performers were Ryan Strieby (2-3, 2 RBI, 1 BB) and Danny Worth (2-3, 2 R, 1 BB). Although Sizemore only went 1-5 on the night, he picked up 2 RBI.

Duane Below (LHP) went 6 1/3 and allowed 1 ER on 6 hits and 2 walks. Below also  K’ed 6. Below has made improvements after each start so far this season. On 4/10 he gave up 4 ER over 4 IP, 4/16 – 3 ER in 5 IP, and last night only 1 ER on a solo shot. His ERA is down to 4.70 on the season and seems to be on a drastically downward spiral.

Erie, Bowie PPD: rain

Lakeland 1, Daytona 3 (Cubs)

Trevor Feeney (RHP) produced a quality start (6 1/3 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K) but still took the loss on a night where the Flying Tigers could only muster one run from a Julio Rodriguez double in the 6^th inning. Ryan Robowski (LHP) threw an inning and two-thirds and gave up one ER on 2 hits and a walk. Kenny Faulk (LHP struck out the side in the 9th.

Only three Flying Tigers were able to get hits (Nunez, Wyatt, and Rodriguez).

West Michigan 1, Lansing 4 (Blue Jays)

Kyle Ryan (LHP) gave up 12 hits, 4 runs (3 ER) over 6 innings to take the loss. Steve Crnkovich (RHP) pitched a scoreless 7^th.

Dixon Machado (SS) went 2-4 with a run scored. Castillo, Castellanos, Enos, and Gulliver each recorded a hit apiece for the Whitecaps. The only Whitecaps run came in the bottom of the 1^st when Dixon Machado scored on a double-play ball hit by Robert Brantly.

West Michigan 1, Lansing 5 (Blue Jays)

Kevin “Finkle is Eichhorn, Eichhorn is Finkle” Eichhorn (RHP) took the loss after pitching 4 2/3 innings and allowing 5 runs (4 earned) on 7 hits. What impressed me about his start is that, although he did get hit, he didn’t walk a batter and struck out 6. Command of the strike zone is an integral, and difficult, part of a successful big league pitchers skill set. Nonetheless, Mr. Eichhorn has some work to do regarding the elusiveness of his stuff.

Richard Zumaya came on in relief and did not allow a run in 1.1 innings. Zumaya has not yet allowed an earned run this season while tallying 6 K’s. Zumaya 2.0 has walked 5, however, and it appears he’ll be in Lakeland until he can figure out his control.

Hernan Perez (SS normally, 2B for this game) went 2-2 with a run scored and a walk. The only RBI of the day for the Whitecaps belonged to Nick Castellanos (3B) who hit a bases-loaded ground out that scored Perez from 3^rd.

Toledo 2, Indianapolis 4 (Pirates)

The Mud Hens were blanked through 7 before scoring 2 in the bottom of the 8^th. Timo Perez (CF) and Scott Thorman (1B) picked up 1 RBI each on the night. Andy Dirks (RF) and Scott Sizemore (2B) each had 2 hits and scored 1 run on the night. Sizemore continued his torrid start to 2011 – he’s hitting .389 with an OBP of .463.

Thad Weber (RHP) took the loss after producing the following stat line: 7IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 4K. Fu Te Ni (LHP) came on in relief and allowed 1 unearned run over two innings while striking out 4.

Lakeland 2, Daytona 5 (Cubs)

Jared Wesson (LHP) had a rough outing for the Flying Tigers. He started and allowed 4 runs in the Daytona 1^st. he went on to allow an additional earned run (5 total on the night) on 10 hits and 2 walks over 4 1/3.  Jay Voss( LHP) looked good in relief (3IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K).

Lakeland made it interesting in the 4^th with 2 runs, but never got closer than a 2-run deficit.

Brent Wyatt (OF) went 2-4 with 2RBI to lead the way for Lakeland.

West Michigan 5, Fort Wayne 1 (Padres)

Richard Zumaya made a spot start for West Michigan and went 2 2/3, allowing 2 hits and 2 walks with a strikeout. Michael Torrealba (RHP) got the win after relieving Zumaya and throwing 3 1/3 and giving up an earned run.

The Whitecaps spread the RBIs thin (1 each for Polk, Nowlin, Robbins, Castellanos, and Gomez).

Hernan Perez (SS) gets the golden bat of the night (1-2, 2 BB, 2 R). Perez is hitting .343 on the year with an OBP well over .400.

Toledo 13, Columbus 5 (Indians)

The Mud Hens exploded for 16 hits and 13 runs; they lead this one wire to wire to win easily. Only three Mud Hens did NOT have multiple hit nights (Timpner, Diaz, and Sizemore). The golden bat of the night was shared between Clete Thomas (CF) (2-4, 1 HR, 6RBI) and Andy Dirks (LF) (3-5, 2HR, 3RBI). Worth, Thorman, Strieby, Iorg, and Santos all picked up 2 hits each. The other homer of the night came off the bat of Ryan Strieby.

Andy Oliver started and got the win after pitching 6 innings and allowing 4 ER on 6 hits. Ryan Perry made a rehab appearance and threw a 1-2-3 7^th with one strikeout. Oxspring closed out the 8^th and 9^th but had control problems as he walked 3.

Erie 5, Reading 1 (Phillies)

This game was a pitcher’s duel throughout and went into the 9^th inning tied at 1. Then, in the top of the 9^th, the Sea Wolves scored 4 after an absolute meltdown from Reading including an RBI walk, three errors, and an ejection.

Audy Ciriaco (SS) went 2-4 with a run scored. 4 total Reading errors meant only 2 of the 5 Erie runs came from RBI (1 each for Martinez and Scram).

Jacob Turner started for Erie: 6.2IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K (ERA for the year 1.83). Jared Gayhart (RHP) came on in relief and pitched 1.1 innings without giving up a run to record the win. Chance Ruffin allowed only 1 hit in his one inning of relief to close this one out.

Lakeland 0, Dunedin 4 (Blue Jays)

Lakeland couldn’t get anything going all night and were behind from the 1^st through the 9^th.

Gustavo Nunez (SS) did manage to put together a good night with the bat: 3-4, 2 2B. The 23 year-old Nunez is hitting .370 on the year with an OBP of .442, 2 HR, 2 RBI, and a SLG % of .630. Erie should be calling his name sometime in May or June.

Drew Smyly (LHP) lost the decision but looked alright in 5 2/3. He allowed 4 runs (3 earned), K’ed 4, walked 2, and allowed 3 hits. Stohr and Samuels combined for a scoreless 3 1/3 innings of relief.

West Michigan 7, Fort Wayne 3 (Padres)

The closest the TinCaps from Fort Wayne got was 3-4 in the top of the 5^th before the Whitecaps added one more in the bottom half and 2 more in the 7^th. Hernan Perez (SS) and Billy Nowlin (1B) each went   3-4. Nowlin also homered and tallied 4 RBI.

 Robert Brantly (C) went 2-4 with 2 RBI and a run scored. On the season, Brantly is hitting .435/.519/.696 and he’s walked more than he’s struck out (4 BB, 3 K). Brantly is only 22 and has huge upside. I like him to continue his torrid start through the foreseeable future.

Jeff Ferrell (RHP) lasted 5 innings and got the hook after allowing 3 earned on 6 hits. Patrick Cooper (RHP) and Clemente Mendoza (RHP) combined to pitch 4 innings of shutout baseball. Patrick Cooper had an especially good night: 3 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K.

Toledo 4, Columbus 10 (Indians)

4 Mud Hens had two-hit nights (Perez, Thorman, Strieby, and Worth). Thorman lead the Mud Hens with 2 RBI on the night. Strieby and Santos added 1 RBI each to complete the scoring for the Hens.

Ramon Garcia (LHP) had a really, really bad night on the mount. He threw 2 innings, gave up 7 hits, 5 runs (all earned) walked a batter while taking the loss.

Erie, Bowie: PPD

Lakeland 9, Daytona 6 (Cubs)

Victor Larez (RHP) started and went 6 innings. He gave up 6 hits and 3 ER while striking out 3. His ERA for the year is an impressive 2.08 with a 2-0 record in two starts. Pratt and Faulk combined to close this one out. Faulk got the save, his third of the year, but allowed an earned run in 1.1 innings.

The Flying Tigers put up 5 runs in the bottom of the second to account for most of their scoring. Tony Plagman (1B) added a 2 RBI single in that inning and then had a huge night: 4-5, 2 2B, 4 RBI. Plagman has been absolutely dominant so far this year. He’s hitting .450 and has 15 RBI on the year.

Wade Gaynor (3B) also hit 2 doubles in the game and finished 3-4 on the night.

West Michigan, South Bend PPD (both games)

Toledo 5, Columbus 4 (Indians)

The Mud Hens lead 2-1 going into the 7^th before Columbus put up 3 runs in the top ½. The Mud Hens countered with a 2 RBI double from Sizemore and a RBI single from Ryan Strieby and held on for the win.

Charlie Furbush (LHP) started and went 4 1/3 for the Hens. He only gave up 2 hits but walked 4. Furbush also struck out 6.  Through two starts Furbush is sporting an ERA of 2.79 with 12K and 4 BB. Robbie Weinhardt picked up the save after perfect pitching through an inning and a third with two strikeouts.

Ryan Perry made a rehab appearance. In 1.3 IP he gave up 3 hits and 2 runs (1 earned) while striking out 1.

Sizemore and Strieby both went 2-4 on the night with 2RBI and 1RBI respectively. Scott Thorman (1B) and Omir Santos (C) had one RBI apiece.

Erie 8, Bowie 9 (Orioles)

This game went back and forth throughout until a walk off wild pitch from Chance Ruffin (RHP) scored Ronnie Welty for the Baysox. Luke Putkonen (RHP) started for Erie and made it through 5IP. He gave up 6 hits and 4 runs (3 earned) while striking out 3. On the bright side, he did not have a walk.

Austin Wood (LHP) had the best night on the slab for the Seal Wolves. He came on in the 9^th and pitched 3.0 innings in relief. He allowed two hits with 1 walk but K’ed 3 and did not allow a run.

Audy Ciriaco (SS) led the team with 3 RBI after he sent a long fly to left in the 3^rd inning. Brandon Douglas (2B) added an RBI single to complete a 4-run 3^rd. Pounds (1B) and Johnson, J (CF) each added 2 RBI.

The Sea Wolves did, however, manage to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory as they compiled 4 errors (Holaday, Martinez, Pounds, and Ciriaco) and a wild pitch on the night.

Lakeland 4, Daytona 3 (Cubs)

Lakeland jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the 1^st from a solo shot off the bat of Daniel Fields (CF) and an RBI single from Tony Plagman (1B). Daytona rallied in the top of the 3^rd to lead 3-2. Lakeland put the game permanently out of reach in the 5^th on a 2 RBI single from Tony Plagman.

Jared Wesson (LHP) recorded the win after pitching 5 2/3 innings and giving up 3 ER’s. Stohr, Robowski, and Gentzler combined to finish out the game without allowing a run. Don Gentzler (RHP) came on with one out in the 9^th and the bases loaded but induced two infield grounders and prevented the tying run from crossing to pick up the save, his second of the year.

Plagman (1B) had a great night with the stick, going 2-3 with 3 RBI and a walk. He’s hitting .400 on the year.  Gustavo Nunez (SS) went 2-5 with a run scored.

West Michigan vs. South Bend – PPD: rain

Toledo 0, Columbus 1 (Indians)

In the first game of a double header, Columbus somehow managed to beat the Hens with a solo shot from Grady Sizemore in the top of the third. Toledo couldn’t turn 8 hits into a single run and Thad Weber (RHP) took the loss. Although he lost, Weber had a solid night with 6k over 6 IP and a sub-1 WHIP on the night.

Three Mud Hens had a two-hit game (Sizemore, Thorman, and Santos).

Toledo 3, Columbus 7 (Indians)

Although the Mud Hens took a 3-1 lead into the 4^th inning, they gave up 6 runs in 4 innings to complete the sweep of the day.  Scott Sizemore added another hit and a run in the 2^nd game of the day. Sizemore is hitting .421 at AAA. Although we all know that doesn’t necessarily translate to MLB success with him, it’s still good to see him producing at a high level.

Clay Timpner (CF) and John Murrian (C) both went 2-3. 1 RBI each on the night for Perez, Dirks, and Murrian.

Robbie Weinhardt didn’t waste any time on the bench and pitched an inning in relief. He gave up 3 runs (only 1 earned). Chris Oxspring (RHP) takes the loss after going 3 innings and giving up 3 ER on 2 hits and 3 BBs.

Erie 1, Bowie 2 (Orioles)

L.J. Gagnier (RHP) started and lasted 6 IP while giving up 3 H, 2 ER. He managed to K 8 while only walking 2. Jared Gayhart (RHP) came on in relief and looked good striking out 2 and allowing only one base runner by way of a single.

The Sea Wolves’ hitters were stymied by a platoon of pitchers trotted out by Bowie. No notable offensive production (5 o-fer’s Bertram, Pounds, Holaday, Martinez, and Scram). The lone RBI went to Francisco Martinez (3B) on a sac fly.

Lakeland 4, Daytona 3 (Cubs)

Lakeland had a 3-0 lead going into the 4^th before a 3-run Daytona rally tied the ball game. The game remained deadlocked at 3 until a 9^th inning walk-off walk! The most exciting play in baseball….

Lakeland’s starter, Cole Nelson (LHP) went 4 innings giving up 5 hits, 3 ER, and walking 1. Teufel, Morrsion, and Faulk combined to pitch 5 innings of scoreless relief. Faulk picked up the win.

With the exception of Jones (2B), every Flying Tiger picked up at least one hit. Tony Plagman (1B) had the most notable night, going 3-4 with an RBI and a walk. His average for the year is now at .375.

West Michigan 1, Great Lakes 3 (Dodgers)

Great Lakes scored one run in the 5^th, 6^th, and 8^th before the Whitecaps scored one in the bottom of the 8^th.  For West Michigan, mediocrity ruled the day from the pitching slab. Each Whitecaps pitcher (Carreno, Torrealba, and Rondon) was on pace for 9BB/9IP.

Brace yourselves Tiger fans…. a catcher had a great night swinging the bat! Robert Brantly went 2-4 with a 2B and had the only RBI of the night for West Michigan. He’s hitting .438 through 2011. Keep an eye on this guy, he’s in his 2^nd year at West Michigan but only played in 52 games last season. Through the first 4 games this year, he had a hit in every game (including hitting .500 in 3 of 4) and has picked up 4 RBI with an OBP of .526.

West Michigan 3, Great Lakes 2 (Dodgers)

West Michigan trailed 0-2 throughout most of the game before West Michigan scored 3 runs on a 2RBI single from Ryan Enos (RF) and a RBI single from James Robbins (1B).

Jeff Ferrell (RHP) started for the White Caps and gave up 2 runs (0 earned) on 4 hits. He also added 6 K’s and did not walk a batter. Joel Zumaya’s younger brother, Richard made a relief appearance for the Caps and went 2 2/3 with 2K’s. Bruce Rondon (RHP) finished the night and picked up with win after going 1 1/3 and striking out 3 batters.

No big stars offensively. Castillo, Perez, Enos, Polk, and Castellanos all tallied one hit apiece. Robbins went 2-4 with an RBI. Robbins .417 average is leading the White Caps so far this season.

Lakeland 5, Dunedin 3 (Blue Jays)

Lakeland jumped out to an early 2-0 lead and withstood a 2-run Dunedin 6^th inning rally with single runs of their own in the 7^th and 8^th to hold on for the win.

Gustavo Nunez, the switch hitting shortstop, had a terrific night from the leadoff spot. He went 3-4 with a walk and fell a triple short of the cycle.

Corey Jones (2B) and Wade Gaynor (3B) each went 2-5.

Trevor Feeney (RHP) started for the Flying Tigers and had a mediocre night (5.1 IP/ 7H/ 3ER/ 3K). Jordan Pratt (RHP) picked up the win after throwing 2 2/3 innings in relief with 3 K’s. Kenny Faulk (LHP) picked up the save.

Erie 7, Binghamton 6 (Mets)

Jacob Turner started for the Sea Wolves and posted the following stat line: 7IP, 7H, 3ER, 1BB, 4K. His ERA for the year is a respectable 2.08. Hamilton came on in relief and gave up 3 more earned runs. Hamilton’s ERA for the year is a bloated 9.64.

Jamie Johnson (CF) had a huge night swinging the bat: 4-5, 2 2B, 2 R, 1 RBI. The Sea Wolves scattered 4 more RBI between Bertram, Ciriaco, Scram, and Henry.

Toledo 4, Indianapolis 2 (Indians)

In a sloppy game (each team committed 2 errors resulting in unearned runs) the Mud Hens held on to an early lead throughout the night to complete the daily sweep for the Tigers.

Andy Oliver (LHP) started and pitched 6 innings. He only gave up 3 hits and 1 ER while striking out 8. His ERA for the year is 2.25. Fu Te Ni (LHP) pitched 2 2/3 innings in relief and gave up only 2 hits and 1 unearned run.  Zach Simons (RHP) notched the save after getting the final out.

Scott Thorman (1B) had a nice night going 2-4 with a homer. Worth, Strieby, and Thomas each picked up single hits.

West Michigan 13, Lansing 12 (Blue Jays)

No pitcher had a good afternoon on Sunday; however, Bruce Rondon (RHP) picked up the win after pitching a scoreless 9th inning and striking out 2. The West Michigan SP, Kyle Ryan (LHP) gave up 5 ER on 6 hits in just 3 2/3 IP.

Offensively, Dixon Machado (SS) led the way going 4-5 with a walk and scoring 3 runs.

Lakeland 5, Tampa 2 (Yankees)

 Lakeland’s SP, Jared Wesson (LHP) went only 3 innings before being replaced by Shawn Teufel (LHP). Teufel went 4 innings, K’ed 3 and only gave up 2 hits while picking up the win for Lakeland.

Anthony Plagman (1B) went 2-4 with a homer and 2 RBI. William Bergolla (2B) had an especially anemic afternoon, going 0 – 5 in the leadoff spot.

Erie 7, Altoona 10 (Pirates)

Altoona grabbed an early 5-0 lead and did not relent despite an eighth inning rally from Erie. Casey Crosby (LHP) only lasted 2 2/3 innings while allowing 5 ER before getting the hook and taking the loss. The Seal Wolves homered twice in the eighth (Holaday (1RBI), Johnson (2RBI)) for 3 runs making it 7-9 before Altoona added one more in the top half of the 9th and then closed out the Wolves in the bottom half.

Despite mediocre pitching throughout the night, the Sea Wolves had some solid offensive production led by Michael Bertram (1B) who went 4 – 5 on the night.

Toledo 1, Louisville 5 (Reds)

The outcome was never in doubt as Louisville took a 4-0 lead after 4 innings and never looked back. Below (LHP) took the loss for the Mud Hens after allowing 4 ER in 4IP. Garcia and Simons came on in relief and combined to go 4 innings with no ER and 4 K’s.

The Mud Hens had 5 o-fors (Sizemore, Perez, Strieby, Timpner, and Murrian). Argenis Diaz (SS) picked up the lone RBI for the Mud Hens in the 7th, scoring Ryan Strieby on a single.

Happy Sunday to everyone! As mentioned earlier this year, my name is Nick D and I will be covering the minor leagues for DTW. I’m going to try to post updates daily including noteworty performers from the previous games. If there’s anything you’d like to have researched or written about, please let me know and I will oblige. One formatting note -I am going to include, parenthetically, the MLB club associated with Tigers minor league opponents so you, the reader, can see how our propsects are stacking up against other farm systems.

West Michigan was postponed by rain

(A) Lakeland 1, Tampa 2 (Yankees)

Lakeland looked offensively sluggish. The only run came off a 4th inning HR by Brent Wyatt (LF). Also encouraging was a 2-4 performance by Julio Rodriguez (C). Impressively, Rodriguez is hitting .400 through the young season. 21 year-old Cole Nelson took the loss for Lakeland, although he went 6 innings giving up 2 ER on 7 hits. I did like that he K’ed 6 while only walking 1.

(AA) Erie 2, Altoona 6 (Pirates)

The starter, Luke Putkonen, went 5 decent innings allowing 1 ER on 3 hits. He only struck out 2 while walking the same. After he handed the ball to the bullpen (Waite and Little on this night) the SeaWolves gave up 11 more hits and 5 ER.

Brandon Douglas (2B) and Rawley Bishop (1B) collected 1 RBI each.

(AAA) Toledo 1, Louisville 2 (Reds)

Charlie Furbush (LHP) went 5 1/3 for the Mud Hens giving up 2 ER on 5 hits. He struck out 6 and didn’t walk a batter. Furbush allowed the two runs on a Lemony Snickets series of unfortunate events in the bottom first. A single turned into a runner on third after a SB and a throw to first to complete a K. That runner then scored on a WP. Next, a single again turned into a RISP after a steal. That man was then scored. After the 1st, Furbush didn’t allow a runner to get to 2nd base.

No one from the Mud Hens had a noteworty night – scattering 6 hits across  6 different players. I will point out, however, that Andy Dirks (LF) is hitting .462/.769/1.231 through the season so far.