Tigers Prospect Daily: West Michigan Whitecaps falter despite 17 hits

Toledo Mud Hens 10, Gwinnett Braves 5 (box)

After dropping four of five meetings with their neighbor to the south, Toledo (15-23) decided to pull a little extra out of their pocket against the visiting Gwinnett Braves (17-22) on Tuesday afternoon. The Mud Hens took off like a shot in the bottom of the first. They scored seven runs, tying their record for runs scored in an inning. Miguel Gonzalez compiled four RBI and Jordan Lennerton posted a pair of doubles, all adding to the 13 hits submitted by Toledo. Mike Hessman added another accomplishment to his résumé by punching out a solo shot, his fifth this season for Toledo.

Gwinnett gave Mud Hens's starter Tim Melville (2-4, 6.00 ERA) a run for his money, scoring four earned runs through Melville's six innings of work, but the big right hander was able to stand his ground long enough to secure his second win of the season. The Mud Hens stand 7 1/2 games out of first place in the Western Division.

Lennerton: 2-5, 2 2B, 2 R
Hessman: 2-5, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, SO
Marte: 3-4, R, 2 RBI
Gonzalez: 2-4, 2B, 4 RBI, SO
Melville (W): 6.2 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO

COMING UP NEXT: The Braves will return Wednesday to face the Mud Hens for one final morning game at Fifth Third Field. Toledo will hand the ball to righty Thad Weber (3-3, 6.19 ERA) to face off against Gwinnett's starter Matt Wisler (2-3, 4.15 ERA) for the series finale.

Richmond Flying Squirrels 8, Erie SeaWolves 5 (box)

Sharing the commonality of an almost historic losing streak this season has placed Richmond (15-21) and Erie (14-24) on a mission to break the mold. After taking the series opener, Erie looked to righthander Derek Hankins (2-4, 4.93 ERA) to hold off the Richmond offense. Hankins had his work cut out for him, getting tagged for seven hits and allowing three earned runs over five innings. Dean Green led the Erie push at the plate by compiling three hits, including his fourth home run in the third inning off Richmond reliever Pedro Rodriguez. The Seawolves were dealt 10 strikeouts and ended the day at 9-for-36 at the plate. Richmond struck the final blow in the seventh, gaining four runs off Erie relief pitching and securing them the 8-5 victory. With the loss, Erie falls to 14-24, nine games out of first place.

Green: 3-4, HR, R, RBI, BB
Krizan: 1-4, 2B, R, BB
Castro: 2-5, RBI
Robbins: 1-5, 2B, 2 RBI
Hankins: 5.0 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 4 SO
Robowski (L, BS): 1.2 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, BB, 2 SO

COMING UP NEXT: Erie will work to close out the campaign against Richmond on Wednesday morning with Chad Green (1-5, 5.23 ERA) facing off against Richmond righthander Joe Biagini (2-2, 2.06 ERA) in the finale.

Lakeland Flying Tigers 8, Daytona Tortugas 5 (box)

It became evident early on that Lakeland (19-19) and Daytona (23-16) entered Tuesday's contest ready to hit. The Flying Tigers gave the start to righthander Jonathan Maciel (2-3, 5.53 ERA) to face Daytona starter Amir Garrett (1-3, 3.03 ERA). Daytona set the tone early with a run at the bottom of the first, but a solid performance at the plate in the third and fourth innings by the Flying Tigers gave Lakeland the lift they needed to come out on top. Tyler Hanover and Tim Remes were electric at the plate for the Flying Tigers, combining for six of Lakeland's hits, with Hanover posting a pair of doubles. Maciel worked four innings for Lakeland, allowing five hits and one earned run. With the victory, Lakeland loves back to playing .500 ball with their 19th win of the season.

Remes: 4-5, 2B, 2 R, RBI, SO
Martinez: 2-4, 3 R, BB
Betancourt: 2-5, RBI, SO
Hanover: 2-4, 2 2B, R, 3 RBI, BB, 2 SO
Maciel: 4.1 IP, 5 H, 3 R (1 ER), 2 BB, SO
Smith, B. (W): 1.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R (1 ER), 4 SO

COMING UP NEXT: The Flying Tigers will return to face Daytona for the three-game road series finale before returning to Joker Marchant Stadium to host visiting Bradenton for a four-game home stand.

Bowling Green Hot Rods 8, West Michigan Whitecaps 7 (box)

The offense was electric from both dugouts on Tuesday at Bowling Green Ballpark as the visiting West Michigan Whitecaps (19-20) hoped to hand Bowling Green (23-16) their second consecutive loss in game two of their four-game road series. Spencer Turnbull (3-1, 3.21 ERA) commanded the hill for West Michigan, working four innings, while allowing three hits striking out six. Led by designated hitter Joey Pankake and third baseman Zach Shepherd, who combined for eight hits, West Michigan punched an astounding 17 hits against the Hot Rods. Not to be outshined, the Hot Rods compiled 13 hits of their own against Turnbull and his relievers with four coming from Bowling Green centerfielder Thomas Milone. The see-saw battle came to a close in the eighth when the Hot Rods closed the door with an additional four runs, securing them with a win over West Michigan. With the loss, the Whitecaps fall to 19-20 on the year.

Pankake: 4-5, 2 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI
Shepherd: 4-5, 2B, 2 R, RBI, SO
Gerber: 2-5, R
Kivett: 2-5, R, RBI, SO
Hill: 2-5, R, SO
Turnbull: 4.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, BB, 6 SO
Jimenez (L, BS): 0.1 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, BB, SO

COMING UP NEXT: West Michigan returns to Bowling Green Ballpark on Wednesday for a late morning contest in game three of the four-game series against the Hot Rods.