Tigers Prospect Daily 4/24/15: Steven Moya heading to Toledo, Erie loses 4th straight

Indianapolis Indians 4, Toledo Mud Hens 3 (box)

Leading into Toledo's second outing against the Indianapolis Indians this evening, the second of a four-game home stand, The Mud Hens stood 2-2 in facing their International League West rival this season. Seasoned righthander Thad Weber maneuvered six innings, giving up four earned runs, a walk and three strikeouts. Though the combined efforts of Weber and the three innings of relief by Josh Zeid heeld Indianapolis to five hits, the Hens were unsuccessful in halting the rally of the Indians. Toledo maintained a 2-0 lead going into the sixth inning before the Indians struck in the final nail by tacking on four runs to take the lead. A passed ball for Indianapolis allowed Tyler Collins to score in the eighth, but the Indians would come out on top 4-3.

Hessman: 2-3, R, SO
Avery: 2-3
Pena: 2-4, RBI
Marte: 0-5, SO
Machado: 0-5
Weber (L): 6.0 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, BB, 3 SO

COMING UP NEXT: Toledo will host Indianapolis at home tomorrow for Game 3 of the four-game home stand. 26-year-old lefty, Mike Belfiore slated to get the start for Toledo.

Altoona Curve 12, Erie Seawolves 3 (box)

Despite a day of rest for the Seawolves, no one could have anticipated the offensive explosion curtesy of Altoona Friday evening at Jerry Uht Park. The Seawolves dropped to 6-8 following their fourth consecutive loss to an Altoona team that just couldn't be stopped. Chad Green (0-2 6.39 ERA) worked through 4 2/3 innings, allowing four earned runs while striking out four. Wynton Bernard posted a pair of singles for the Wolves and smart base running by Josh Price added a stolen base to his résumé, as well as tacking on the first run for Erie in the third inning. An RBI for Harrell and Castro would add to the board, but would prove to fall short of the performance of Altoona at the plate. The Curve finished with 12 RBI on 16 hits for the night.

Bernard: 2-3
McVaney: 1-3, R, BB
Green: 2-4
Harrell: 1-4, RBI
Jones: 0-4
Green (L): 4.2 IP, 8 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 4 SO

COMING UP NEXT: Erie will host Altoona for Game 2 of a three-game home stand against the Curve. Erie will lean on righty Austin Kubitza (1-0 2.00 ERA) from the hill.

Clearwater Threshers 8, Lakeland Flying Tigers 4 (box)

Much to the enjoyment of the Flyger faithful, one Verlander was able to contribute some offensive production, but wasn't enough to carry Lakeland to victory against Clearwater Friday evening. Kenton Locke St. John (0-2) worked 4 2/3 innings, allowing three earned runs on seven hits while striking out four. Verlander led the Flying Tigers going 4 for 4 with a double and a run scored. Jiwan James obtained his second stolen base, while scoring two runs courtesy of the pair of walks handed to him. Steven Moya wrapped his final game in Lakeland by finishing the evening with two hits, both doubles and an RBI. Lakeland would rally for three runs in the third inning, but Clearwater proved to lay the right cards tonight, closing the door on Lakeland with a final score of 8-4. Lakeland falls to 6-10 in the Florida State League North.

Verlander: 4-4, R, 2B
Powell: 2-4, R, 3B, RBI, 2 SO
Moya: 2-4, 2 2B, 2 RBI, SO
James: 0-3, 2 BB, 2 R, RBI
Greiner: 0-4, 2 SO
Robertson (L): 2 IP, 4 ER, 2 BB

COMING UP NEXT: Lakeland will host the final game of a 3-game home stand against the Clearwater Thrashers. Lefty, Kevin Zoimek (1-2) slated to take the mound for Lakeland.

Dayton Dragons 8, West Michigan Whitecaps 5 (box)

A familiar face resurfaced for West Michigan Friday evening and the Whitecaps couldn't be happier. Following his rehabilitation play in Lakeland, outfielder Derek Hill regained his slot on the roster just in time to take the field against Dayton. Hill looked very much himself going 2 for 5 with a run scored and a double. Unfortunately for West Michigan starter A.J. Ladwig (1-2), it didn't take long for the Dragons to read his delivery and the offense hit hard. A pair of jacks (2-run and 3-run) would be just two of the four extra-base hits for the Dragons, although the bats were alive for the Whitecaps as well. West Michigan capped the night with 17 hits, including a continued hot streak by Michael Gerber who finished 3 for 5. Smart hitting by Dayton eventually lifted the Dragons to an 8-5 victory over West Michigan. The Whitecaps moved to 8-8 on the season, dropping to fourth place in the Midwest League Eastern Division.

Gerber: 3-5, R, RBI, SO
Perez: 3-4, 2 RBI
Shepherd: 3-5, 2 RBI, SO
Gonzalez: 0-4
Ladwig (L): 3.2 IP, 11 H, 6 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO

COMING UP NEXT: West Michigan will face Dayton in Game 2 of a three-game road series. West Michigan has scheduled Trent Szkutnik (1-0) for the start.

★★★

After missing the start of the season with a foot injury, Steven Moya's rehab stint with Single-A Lakeland is over. The club has not yet announced a roster move, but Moya tweeted a goodbye to the Flying Tigers after last night's game. Moya will presumably head to Triple-A Toledo to play in the outfield for the Mud Hens. After partaking in major league camp, he started the season on the disabled list with planter fasciitis in his foot. He started hitting off a tee on April 11 and took part in his first game action on April 16.

In nine games with the Flying Tigers, Moya posted a .275 batting average, a .286 on base percentage, and a .575 slugging percentage, along with three home runs. In his first game back, he posted a golden sombrero with four strikeouts in four at bats. Moya came on strong towards the end of his rehab assignment, tallying three hits including a home run on Thursday, and then two more hits in his final game on Friday.

The reigning Eastern League MVP earned his first taste of the big leagues with a September call up last season, but struggled mightily in spring training. Regardless, due to the Tigers' current outfield situation, there are no at-bats for him to be had on the big club, and Tyler Collins is considered next in line if help is needed. Barring a major change, Moya will almost certainly play the remainder of the season in Toledo where he will work on his plate discipline before another inevitable September call-up.