Omaha Storm Chasers 6, Toledo Mud Hens 5 (F/10)(box)
Mark Leiter Jr. threw a solid game and the offense erupted for a four-run third inning to carry them to an early lead over the Storm Chasers. The Hens took advantage of poor control in the third, as the first three hitters reached on walks. Renato Nuñez followed with a blast to left center for a grand slam, his 13th homer of the year. They added another when Isaac Paredes launched a solo shot, his fourth, in the fifth inning. Alex Lange returned from the injured list tonight and tossed a scoreless sixth. He may be headed back to Detroit shortly.
Unfortunately, the bullpen ultimately crumbled, with Miguel del Pozo allowing a run that made it 5-2 in the eighth, before Drew Carlton collapsed in the bottom of the ninth, blowing a three-run lead to lose the save. The Hens couldn’t push across the runner on second in the 10th inning, and that usually spells doom. It did tonight, as Robbie Ross fell behind Omaha’s Anderson Miller, and Miller launched a 3-1 pitch into the night to walk it off.
Nuñez: 2-5, R, 4 RBI, HR, BB. SO
Paredes: 1-3, 2 R, RBI, HR, 3 BB, SO
Goodrum: 1-3, 2 BB, SO
Coming Up Next: RHP Ricardo Pinto (3-1, 2.57 ERA) takes on LHP Marcelo Martinez (1-1, 7.11 ERA) on Wednesday night at 8:05 p.m. ET.
Erie SeaWolves vs. Somerset Patriots (postponed)
They were rained out in New Jersey, so they’ll try to play two on Wednesday. Game one’s first pitch is set for 4:00 p.m. ET. RHP Chance Kirby (1-0, 2.61 ERA) gets the start against the brilliantly named RHP Janson Junk (4-1, 1.00 ERA).
Dayton Dragons 2, West Michigan Whitecaps 1 (box)
Both pitching staffs kept walks to a minimum, leading to a quick, well pitched contest on Tuesday night. The one exception was Whitecaps’ starter Garrett Hill in the second inning, who issued a pair of walks and ultimately hit a batter with the bases loaded to force in the first run of the game. Manager Bryan Peña turned to Sandel De La Cruz from there, and he allowed just a solo shot over 3 1⁄3 innings of work. Angel Reyes followed with three scoreless frames of his own. Cooper Johnson mashed his first home run of the year in the third for the ‘Caps only run of the game, while Gage Workman had a single in his High-A debut after being swapped out of Lakeland for Trei Cruz.
Navigato: 2-4, 2 SO
Johnson: 1-3, R, RBI, HR
Coming Up Next: They’ll do it again on Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m. ET.
Rather than focus on Tuesday’s night game, we would be remiss not to mention Bryant Packard getting loose late last week. One of better hitting prospects in the Tigers’ system, Packard’s weakness is a lack of defensive utility. The way to make up for that is by hitting for power, and Packard showed that potential again heading into the holiday weekend. He continues to hit for solid average and OBP, posting fine strikeout-to-walk numbers as well, but his path to the majors requires real power, so this was good to see.
This was a 414 foot shot last Thursday night.
And here is an absolute tank, 452 feet to right center field on Friday night.
Lakeland Flying Tigers at Palm Beach Cardinals (postponed)
With Hurricane Elsa tormenting Florida’s Gulf Coast and nearing potential landfall on Wednesday, there probably isn’t going to be much baseball for a couple days.
Roberto Campos arrives in style
The Florida Complex League opened play late last week, filling the same role as the former Gulf Coast League. While there is rarely any footage from Lakeland games, at very least the opening of the rookie ball season, there are numerous players to keep an eye on there, as several fairly high priced recent international free agent signings are on the Tigers East and Tigers West rosters. No one is more anticipated than Roberto Campos though, and he made his presence felt on day one.
Campos was the Tigers prized addition in 2019, as they dropped $2.85 million to acquire the Cuban born teenager. Just recently turned 18 years old, the 6’3, 200 pound outfielder showed the quick bat and prodigious power on that swing that had the Tigers beaming when they managed to land him after an early agreement kept him out of sight in the Dominican Republic for several years until he became eligible to sign at 16. So far, he has a hit in each of his two games, and has played center field for FCL Tigers West.