Toledo Mud Hens 7, Memphis Redbirds 2 (box)
After dropping the first two, the Hens needed a win and they produced one with a power outburst on Thursday. They got to work quickly, dropping four on the Birds in the bottom of the first. Zack Short led off with his sixth homer of the year to open the scoring. A one out single from Renato Nuñez and a walk to JaCoby Jones set the stage for Aderlin Rodriguez, who launched his ninth of the year over the wall in left to make it 4-0.
Mark Leiter Jr. gave the Hens four good innings, allowing just a solo shot. Angel de Jesus came on and navigated a self-created jam, allowing just a run despite two walks and a hit batsman. The offense then put this one to bed for good in the seventh. Yariel Gonzalez led off with his ninth homer of the year, and after Dylan Rosa—just promoted from Erie—walked, Dustin Garneau lifted one out to left to reach the final score.
Rodriguez: 1-3, R, 3 RBI, HR, BB, SO
Gonzalez: 1-3, R, RBI, HR, BB, SO
Leiter Jr: 4.0 IP, ER, 4 H, BB, 3 SO
Coming Up Next: RHP Ricardo Pinto (1-1, 6.00 ERA) starts for the Hens on Friday night at 7:05 p.m. ET.
Erie SeaWolves 9, Akron RubberDucks 7 (box)
SeaWolves pitching wasn’t in good form, but the offense had it covered with Dillon Dingler leading the way. The fast rising catching prospect lashed a pair of triples in this one, scoring twice and collecting a pair of RBI. Ryan Kreidler and Andre Lipcius each had two hits and scored twice as well. Lipcius’s RBI double to score Kreidler opened the scoring in the first. Brady Policelli singled with one out in the second, stole second base—one of two steals on the night for him—took third on a ground ball from Drew Ward that went for an error, and scored on Danny Woodrow’s ground out.
Starter Jesus Rodriguez allowed single runs in the first and second as well, but the SeaWolves pulled away with a four run third inning keyed by a leadoff single from Kreidler and then the first of Dingler’s triples. Brad Bass got into trouble in the eighth and Billy Lescher had to come on to clean things up. He failed, allowing a three run shot that tied the game. Fortunately, Erie wasn’t done yet. Riley Greene struck out three times in his return from an illness, but he singled to lead off the ninth inning, and after Kreidler struck out, Dingler’s second triple put them on top for good.
Dingler: 2-5, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 3B, 3 SO
Lipcius: 2-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2B, SO
Kreidler: 2-5, 2 R, SO, SB
Coming Up Next: The two clubs meet up again at 7:05 p.m. ET.
West Michigan Whitecaps vs. Dayton Dragons (postponed)
They were rained out on Thursday, so they will play a Friday night doubleheader instead. RHP Beau Brieske (3-2, 4.15 ERA) starts game one for the Whitecaps against the Dragons RHP Lyon Richardson (2-2, 4.32 ERA).
Tampa Tarpons 10, Lakeland Flying Tigers 2 (Gm 1)(F/7)(box)
The Tarpons mauled starter Gio Arriera in the fifth inning, dropping six runs on him on their way to a nine run inning that turned this from a 1-1 game into a laugher. Derek Hill had a hit, an RBI, and a walk in his rehab outing, while Gage Workman and Victor Reyes each doubled. Colt Keith singled and stole his first base of the year in the losing effort. Game two was rained out and rescheduled for yet another attempt at a doubleheader on Friday. The rainy season is here, folks.
Gulf Coast League Florida Complex League
The refashioned Gulf Coast League will open the 2021 season on Monday. Partial rosters were announced on Thursday, with more to come this weekend. FCL Tigers East’s roster will feature SS/3B prospect Adinso Reyes, SS prospect Carlos Irigoyen, and 3B Pedro Martinez Jr. FCL Tigers West has recent interesting IFA’s like OF Carlos Pelegrin and left-hander Rodolfo Fajardo. Prized outfield prospect Roberto Campos, who just turned 18, appears slated to play Dominican Summer League ball again, but there have been no details forthcoming.