2011 Season, Game Post

Game 2011.23: Mariners at Tigers

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Welcome to contest Tuesday.  First one ever, hopefully not the last.  Today’s prize is a Tigers History Newspaper courtesy of Anydate.com.  The contest is simple, please guess tonight’s:

– winning pitcher;
– score;
– home run hitters (if any);
– save (if any);
– and Clown Show Ratio.

The winner will be selected on most correct answers, with weight distributed in accordance with how the categories were laid out above (winning pitcher is most important, Clown Show Ratio is least important.  Really, it’s unimportant.  If you don’t know what CSR is, leave it blank, and I’ll wait for Coleman to fill everyone in).  And please visit our friends over at Anydate.com so that they’ll do this again soon.

King Felix is the reigning AL Cy Young winner and he’s pretty darn good.  Even with an uncharacteristic shellacking in Toronto three starts ago in which he gave up 7 runs in 6 innings, he’s posting a 3.38 ERA for 2011 (that’s 1.88 if you remove the Tor game).  He hasn’t allowed more than 2 ER in any other game this season.  But that’s earned runs.  The swiss cheese behind him is allowing an unearned run per game, and I’m certain that the Tigers will have similar opportunities tonight.  Against King Felix, they’ll have to take advantage when they can.

Phil Coke takes the hill for the Tigers today.  PC got hit pretty hard last time out (6 runs, 6 hits, 4 BB in 3 2/3), but 4 of those runs were unearned.  Which means that his two previous salty starts coupled with his 2 1/3 innings out of the pen have left him with great April numbers.  A 1.27 WHIP and 2.75 ERA will certainly earn him better than a 1-3 record in subsequent months.  Coke’s biggest flaw has been the base on balls, as he’s already walked 10 in 17 1/3 as a starter this year.  Curiously, he walks lefties at twice the rate as righties, but that’s likely just a sampling error at this point in the season.  Mariners lead the majors with 90 walks…so keep an eye on this.

Today’s fun fact – the Tigers are 109-62 at home (.637) since the start of the 2009 season.  Only the Yankees are better at home in the AL since then.

Tonight’s not how I would do it lineup is:

1. AJax – CF
2. Will Rhymes – 2B
3. Magglio Ordonez – DH
4. Miguel Cabrera – 1B
5. Brennan Boesch – RF
6. Ryan Raburn – LF
7. Jhonny Peralta – SS
8. Alex Avila – C
9. Brandon Inge – 3B

(This is how I would do it – Jackson, Rayburn, Boesch, Cabrera, Avila, Ordonez, Peralta, Inge, Rhymes.  But at least now we get a difficult L/R match-up at the bottom of the lineup which will certainly perplex Eric Wedge in the 8th inning.)

2011 Season, Minors

Minor League Wrap 4.25.2011

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Toledo 6, Louisville 5 (Reds)

The Mud Hens went into the 9th trailing 5-2. With one out and the bases loaded, Scott Sizemore ripped a bases-clearing, walk-off double to left field and the Mud Hens won a thriller. It should be noted that Sizemore hit his game winner off of Louisville Bats reliever Daniel Ray Herrera (LHP) who, had not allowed an earned run in 8 previous innings of work.

Robbie Weinhardt (RHP) got the win for the Mud Hens after throwing a scoreless 9th inning. Brendan Wise also made a relief appearance and held the Bats scoreless over 2 1/3 innings. Wise has yet to allow an earned run this season in 6 games and 7.2 IP.

In addition to winning the game, Sizemore went 3-5 on the night to bring his season average up to .411. Not only has he been hitting at a Ted Williams-esque clip, Sizemore has consistently gotten on base (.500 OBP) and stolen 3 bases in 31 trips onto the base paths.

On one final note – our old friend (or nemesis) Dontrelle Willis allowed 3 runs (2 earned) over 7 innings as the starter for Louisville.

Erie: PPD – rain

Lakeland 4, Brevard County 3 (Brewers)

Toledo wasn’t the only minor league club to walk-off on Monday night. Down 2 going into the 9th Lakeland put together a rally after singles from Ryan Soares and Brent Wyatt. A past ball advanced Soares and Wyatt to 3rd and 2nd, respectively. A Daniel Fields single scored Soares to tie the game and advanced Wyatt to third. Then, a wild pitch from Jonathan Pokorny scored Wyatt from 3rd and celebration ensued.

Cole Nelson (LHP) started and pitched 5 innings. He gave up 3 runs (2 earned) on 4 hits and 4 walks. Tyler Stohr (RHP) and Michael Morrison (RHP) combined for 2 innings of scoreless relief. Nate Newman (RHP) got the win after holding the Brevard County Manatees scoreless over 2 innings while striking out 2 and walking 1.

Julio Rodriguez (C) went 2-4 with a  double and 2 RBI to lead the way for the Flying Tigers.

 West Michigan 1, Dayton 3 (Reds)

Although he took the loss, Antonio Cruz (LHP) looked good over 6 IP. He allowed 3 ER on 4 hits and 1 walk but struck out 5. His ERA for the year is 4.40.

Patrick Cooper (RHP) was perfect through 2 innings of relief and K’ed 2.

Robert Brantly (C) went 2-4 with a run scored. He has continued to hit and has his BA up to .390 for the season.

2011 Season, Minors

Minor League Wrap 4.24.2011

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.

2011 Season, Links

News and Notes: 4.25.11

3 Comments

– Lee Panas, who runs a great Tigers blog and comments here from time to time, ran some numbers on the low offensive output in the AL thus far this year, and reasons for it.

– Lincecum had some real gems on baseball playoff expansion.  His contention that adding a team or two means that Selig doesn’t “worry about [players] as human beings or players” has a CSR that is off the charts.  Teixeira isn’t much better, introducing the idea of doing it “American Idol” style.  I’m not sure what this means.  Personally, I think it would be great for the game.  An article from Friday on FanGraphs proposed an alternative solution, but ultimately concluded that baseball will add a 1 game playoff  for the two wild-card teams (long post, but a good read).

– JV’s WHIP this year is .97, and his K/9 is 8.75.

– An Indians fan and pretty sharp freshman wrote a blog the other day charting payroll correlation to wins.  To conclude, there is a definite correlation, but it is far from 1.

– The week ahead – King Felix v. Coke on Tues, Bedard v. JV on Wed, Pineda v. Penny on Thurs, Scherzer at TBD on Friday.

– Finally, the good folks at www.anydate.com have agreed to give out a Tigers History Newspaper as a way to get their name out.  So what we’ll do is have some sort of contest tomorrow centered on the game.  Check back around 3 hours before opening pitch for the deets.

2011 Season, Game Post

Game 2011.22: White Sox at Tigers

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Winning! The Tigers are now a winning baseball team.

Thanks to an outstanding effort by Bad Brad Penny (to be distinguished from Brad “Bad” Penny), some timely hitting by about everyone, and a hint of clown show by the White Sox, this afternoon is now the closet game of the 3-game series.

The Tigers send Max Scherzer out to grab the broom.  The Sox will try to keep the closet locked by means of John Danks, the backwards lefty.  Backwards because:

  • career RHB BA vs Danks:  .248
  • career LHB BA vs Danks:  .260

Consequently, Leyland has loaded the lineup with RHB, because Danks is a LHP (not to worry; it will somehow turn out geniusy).

Danks has a good mid-90ish fastball, a cutter,  a sharp slider, and a good changeup. He also has a big slow curve which he sometimes throws, often on the first pitch.  I’m not sure if any of this really explains his backwardness.  Perhaps it’s just part of an inherent dankness.

But Mad Max is armed with broom, and poised to become the 4th AL pitcher with 4 wins, joining Jared Weaver (5), Dan Haren (4), and Justin Masterson (4).

While Max is 3-0, 4.30, Danks is 0-2 3.00, which gives you some idea how much fun it is being a White Sox pitcher at the moment.

If Max is going to get run support today, where will it come from?  Not likely Inge or Raburn (combined .215 and 13K in 42 AB) or, sadly, Cabrera (.211, 4-19, all singles).  Which leads us to:

Today’s Player of the Pre-Game:  Magglio Ordonez

  • Magglio career vs Danks:  .609 (14 – 23), 2 HR, 7 RBI
  • He is also playing his former team
  • He also needs 1 more double to become the first player to hit 100 at Comerica
  • There you go Maggs, you couldn’t ask for a better set up
  • You’ll notice this sounds familiar.  You have a 2nd chance.  Do you hear me Maggs?

Today’s Lucky Nickname lineup:

  1. Tex Jackson CF
  2. Ryan “Three True Outcomes” Raburn 2B
  3. Magglio “Enemy of Dankness” Ordonez DH
  4. Cabby Cat 1B
  5. H-Factor Peralta SS
  6. Bashin’ Brennan Boesch LF
  7. The Ghost RF
  8. Strokin’ Alex Avila C
  9. Walkoff Inge 3B

 

2011 Season, Game Post

Game 2011.21: White Sox at Tigers

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OK, let’s try this again.  This afternoon the Tigers have a second chance at attaining that elusive first winning record.  They will be working against an old friend, Edwin Jackson.  The Tigers counter with the to-this-point underwhelming Brad “Bad” Penny.

I seem to remember Mr. Jackson had quite a proclivity for the high pitch count; perhaps his teammates remember also and we can get to the Chicago bullpen early today.

Today’s Player of the Pre-Game:  Brennan Boesch

Boesch continues to bash; sandwiched between the always dangerous Cabrera and the suddenly hot Raburn, the Boesch Bash will be the key to putting runs on the board.

Today’s Raburn-homers-then-dropped-in-the-order lineup:

  1. Austin Jackson CF
  2. Will Rhymes 2B
  3. Magglio Ordonez DH
  4. Miguel Cabrera 1B
  5. Brennan Boesch RF
  6. Ryan Raburn LF
  7. Jhonny Peralta SS
  8. Alex Avila C
  9. Brandon Inge 3B
2011 Season, Minors

Minor League Wrap 4.22.2011

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 6th 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 7th.

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 1st 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 3rd.

2011 Season, Game Post

Game 2011.20: White Sox at Tigers

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Detroit returns to Comerica for some home cooking with a 3 game series against the Chicago White Sox.  They likely will be fed a diet of cutters and changeups by Mark Buehrle, who faces Justin “Hop-Throw” Verlander.  Verlander was 2-0 vs the White Sox in 2010; Buehrle was also 2-0 vs Detroit in 2010.  May the best man win (and the best man’s initials are JV).

The Tigers catch the White Sox at a good time:  they have only won 2 of their last 10, and like the Tigers, have had all sorts of trouble generating offense, batting only .202 in that 10-game span.  And like Detroit, most of their offense has come from one player, Paul Konerko, who is hitting .320 with 4 HR and 15 RBI.

You might want to take the “under” on this one.

One big difference is that the White Sox don’t strike out as much as the Tigers:  111 to 133.  And it isn’t because they are more patient at the plate:  they only have 53 BB compared to Detroit’s 72, and have the lowest Pitch-Per-Plate-Appearance in the AL at 3.66 (Detroit is 2nd to Boston at 4.00). So the Sox will be up there taking their hacks.

Against Buehrle today discipline at the plate will be necessary.  Buehrle features an inside cutter and an outside changeup.  Apparently, the key to beating Buehrle is to lay off of the changeup, which lately he has had trouble getting in the strike zone, and then to look for the cutter.  There appears to be a direct correlation between the effectiveness of his cutter and the location of his changeup.

Today’s Player of the Pre-Game:  Magglio Ordonez

  • Magglio career vs Buehrle:  .469 (15 – 32), 2 HR, 2 2B, 5 RBI
  • He is also playing his former team
  • He also needs 1 more double to become the first player to hit 100 at Comerica
  • There you go Maggs, you couldn’t ask for a better set up

Today’s Jhonny-Phrotecting-Cabrera? lineup:

  1. Austin Jackson CF
  2. Ryan Raburn 2B
  3. Magglio Ordonez DH
  4. Miguel Cabrera 1B
  5. Jhonny Peralta SS
  6. Brennan Boesch LF
  7. Brandon Inge 3B
  8. Alex Avila C
  9. Casper Wells RF

2011 Season, Minors

Minor League Wrap 4.20.2011

Toledo 2, Indianapolis 4 (Pirates)

The Mud Hens were blanked through 7 before scoring 2 in the bottom of the 8th. 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 1st. 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 4th 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.

2011 Season, Game Post

Game 2011.19: Tigers at Mariners

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Well, it’s the rubber match of the Mariners series as the Tigers bring their 1-6 record in games to decide a series to Safeco, before an off day and then a home stand.

We just got through the first inning of the season (18 games), and it wasn’t very good.  Pitching-wise, the Tigers were just awful, posting a 5.02 ERA, worse than every AL team other than Boston (5.58).  Their WHIP of 1.49 is worst in the AL, and they allowed 71 BBs, second worst in the AL.  Our bullpen is 12th in the league with an ERA of 5.47, and the starters are marginally better with an 11th best ERA of 4.81.

Incredibly, our hitting is in the middle of the pack with a .244 BA (8th), .703 OPS (9th) and 16 HR (7th).

With all of that, the boys are only 2 games under .500.  So there should be hope, right?  I expect the bullpen to get better, and Jacob Turner and Andy Oliver look primed to contribute sooner than later.

On the other hand, despite an AL-wide hitting slump, I do not see our bats getting much better unless someone in the farm can step up and contribute.  AJax has been exposed, Inge is Inge, and Maggs’ next XBH will double his 2011 total through 30+ ABs.  That’s right, Maggs is on pace for 270 ABs, and I think he’s being overused now.  Guillen should be an improvement at 2B, but there is still no timetable for his return.  VMart’s 1st trip to the DL is unlikely to be his last, and Peralta is regressing as a hitter.  Unless Raburn can turn into the above average hitter I think he is and we get some more help from below today, .500 baseball is going to be about right for this team.

Erik Bedard goes for the Mariners.  After sitting out all of 2010 recovering from shoulder surgery, Bedard has been hammered in his three 2011 starts to the tune of 13 ER in 13.2 IP and 1.97 WHIP.   Which sounds just like the type of pitching that has shut down the Tigers recently.

Porcello climbs the hill for the Tigers looking to follow-up on a strong start against Oakland last week.  In that effort he only lasted 6 IPs (103 pitches), but allowed just 1 ER on 7 hits and 1 walk.

Fun stat of the day – did you know that Austin Jackson is tied for fourth on the team with 1 HR? That’s one more than Maggs.

Today’s Peralta is protecting Cabrera? lineup:

1. AJax – CF
2. Raburn – 2B
3. Ordonez – DH
4. Cabrera – 1B
5. Peralta – SS
6. Boesch – LF
7. Inge – 3B
8. Ghost – RF
9. OMirG I’m starting – C

 

2011 Season, Game Post

Game 2011.18: Tigers at Mariners

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The Tigers look to lock-up a series victory tonight against the Mariners, as Phil Coke takes on Doug Fister.

The not-so-hard throwing Doug Fister takes the mound for the Ms tonight.  Fister is in the majors because he throws a four seamer, a two seamer, a change, a curve and a slider.  Though none of them are particularly effective, when he locates them well he can win a few ball games.  His fastball tops out at 88-89, though that lack of speed certainly had the Tigers fooled for most of last night.  He’s got a career WHIP of 1.29 (good), and a career K/9 of 4.99 (not good).

Coke was nothing short of phenomenal in his last start, allowing 3 hits, 2 walks and 0 ER over 7 IPs against the Athletics.  Couple that with the last 4 2/3 innings of the KC game, and he’s thrown 11 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings.  The over/under is set at 15.  Any takers?  Coke dominates in April, posting a career 2.29 ERA for the month.

In roster news – VMart may be headed to the DL.    Omir Santos was called up as an emergency back-up catcher, and they’ll have to send someone else down today before 1st pitch.  My guess would have been Austin Jackson, but he’s listed in the starting lineup.  I can’t see them sending down a reliever, so either VMart will be placed on the DL, or Don Kelly will have a lonely drive this evening.

Your incredibly suspect top of the order lineup (see if you can determine who I’m rooting for tonight):

1. AJax – CF
2. Rhymes – 2B
3. Don Kelly – RF
4. Cabrera – 1B
5. Boesch – DH
6. Raburn – LF
7. Peralta – SS
8. Big Bad Al Avila – C
9. Inge – 3B

2011 Season, Minors

Minor League Wrap 4.18.2011

1 Comment

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 7th with one strikeout. Oxspring closed out the 8th and 9th 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 9th inning tied at 1. Then, in the top of the 9th, 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 1st through the 9th.

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 5th before the Whitecaps added one more in the bottom half and 2 more in the 7th. 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.

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