Toledo Mud Hens 6, Omaha Storm Chasers 3 (box)
The Hens ran their record to 44-32 with their win on Sunday, taking four of six from the Storm Chasers. That they did it with another bullpen day was even more impressive. Wladimir Pinto got the start, interestingly enough, and threw three innings of one hit ball, allowing just an unearned run. Angel de Jesus, Robbie Ross Jr., and Miguel del Pozo all put in scoreless appearances to keep Omaha in check.
After Omaha took a 1-0 lead in the first, it took the Hens’ offense a while to get rolling, but they broke through in the fourth. Three straight singles to lead off the inning, capped by a two run single from JaCoby Jones, gave them the lead. In the fifth they broke it open a bit. Juan Centeno led off with a double and scored on right fielder Kody Clemens RBI single. Yariel Gonzalez singled with two outs, and a Jacob Robson double scored them both. Robson then came home on a Jones’ single for the Hens’ sixth run, and the bullpen handled it from there.
Jones: 3-4, 3 RBI
Robson: 2-3, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2B, BB, SO
Gonzalez: 2-4, 2 R, SO
Coming Up Next: The Hens travel to Nashville to battle the Sounds starting Tuesday night at 8:05 p.m. ET.
Akron RubberDucks 6, Erie SeaWolves 4 (F/10)(box)
Beau Brieske’s Double-A debut went pretty well, but defensive miscues and a rough outing from Henry Martinez allowed the RubberDucks to come back and ultimately win in 10 innings. They took the six game set 5-1 in the process. Brieske, who we profiled back in June, allowed a two run homer in the third, but was otherwise strong through six innings, walking just one while striking out four.
The Hens came right back in the fourth to tie things up with a Brady Policelli two run shot with Drew Ward aboard. A pair of two out singles from Christopher Proctor and Riley Greene gave them another scoring opportunity, but Ryan Kreidler struck out to end the inning. The SeaWolves then took the lead in the fifth. Spencer Torkelson ripped a double to left to lead off the inning and he eventually scored on a Kerry Carpenter single. A Josh Lester solo shot in the eighth made it 4-2 SeaWolves, but that was their high water mark in the contest.
Henry Martinez came on in the top of the ninth to close it out, but allowed a two run homer to Marcos Gonzalez that tied it up and sent the game to extras. Martinez stayed on, but after walking the leadoff hitter to put runners at first and second, Brady Policelli botched a ground ball single to left, allowing both runners to score. The SeaWolves went 1-2-3 in the bottom of the 10th.
The good news in this one was that Riley Greene was fine after getting plunked in the head during Saturday night’s contest. Greene had a pair of singles on Sunday.
Policelli: 2-5, R, 2 RBI, HR, SO
Kreidler: 1-3, 2 BB, 2 SO
Brieske: 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, BB, 4 SO
Coming Up Next: The SeaWolves jaunt over to Harrisburg to take on the Senators this week.
Great Lakes Loons 5, West Michigan Whitecaps 1 (box)
The Whitecaps ran into some good pitching while their bullpen leaked runs as the Loons won Sunday to split the six game set. 2020 draft pick Clayton Beeter tore through the Whitecaps for three innings, allowing just a single while striking out five. His relief didn’t do much worse as the ‘Caps struck out 11 times in this one. Eric de la Rosa’s fourth inning solo shot was all they managed offensively, collecting just five hits and a walk in total.
Austin Bergner got the short start in this one and allowed just a solo shot in three innings of work. Sandel de la Cruz had a tougher time in relief as three walks allowed the Loons to plate three runs against him. Zack Shepherd struck out four in 2 1⁄3 innings of work, but he also allowed a solo shot.
De La Rosa: 2-4, R, RBI, HR, 2 SO
Cabrera: 1-3, BB, SO
Coming Up Next: The Whitecaps welcome in the Dayton Dragons to LMCU Ballpark on Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m. ET. RHP Keider Montero (4-8, 5.28 ERA) has struggled this season despite decent peripherals. He’ll take the ball for the ‘Caps.
Lakeland Flying Tigers 5, Jupiter Hammerheads 3 (box)
Three homers and a solid outing by starter Jack O’Loughlin carried the Flying Tigers to a win and a series split on Sunday. O’Loughlin went 4 1⁄3 innings, allowing two earned with five strikeouts to three walks. Meanwhile Jake Holton, Alvaro Gonzalez, and Eliezer Alfonzo each hit solo shots to power the offense. Holton also pitched in an RBI triple in the fifth to score Austin Murr. Erick Pinales got the win for Lakeland, throwing 1 2⁄3 scoreless innings in relief of O’Loughlin. Lefty Carlos Pena allowed a run in his two innings of work, while Gabriel Sequeira picked up his third save.
Holton: 2-4, R, 2 RBI, HR, 3B, 2 SO
Gonzalez: 1-2, R, RBI, HR, BB
O’Loughlin: 4.1 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 3 BB, 5 SO
Coming Up Next: The Daytona Tortugas are in Lakeland this week starting Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. EDT.