Derek Hill shines in Whitecaps doubleheader loss to Fort Wayne

Toledo Mud Hens 11, Indianapolis Indians 6 (box)

The Mud Hens rode a pair of four-run innings to an easy win, splitting a four-game series with the Indians. Justin Verlander struggled in his first rehab start, allowing three runs on six hits in just 2 2/3 innings. Verlander, who was making his first career start at Triple-A, was on a strict pitch count. Rafael Dolis eventually picked up the win for the Mud Hens, but the Toledo bats were the stars of the show. They racked up 11 hits on the day, led by three-hit efforts from Mike Hessman and Daniel Fields. Hessman had five RBI on the day, including a solo home run in the seventh inning. Fields and Steven Moya chipped in with a pair of RBI.

Hessman: 3-5, HR, R, 5 RBI, 2 SO
Fields: 3-5, 2B, 3 R, 2 RBI, BB, SB
Machado: 2-4, 2 R, RBI, 2 BB
Avery: 2-4, 2B, 3 R, 2 BB, SO
Verlander: 2.2 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO
Dolis (W): 3.1 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, SO

COMING UP NEXT: The Mud Hens will travel to Columbus for a series with the Clippers. The two teams will play a doubleheader tomorrow to make up for a rainout on April 19.

Brevard County Manatees 8, Lakeland Flying Tigers 3 (box)

The Manatees have had no trouble with Flying Tigers pitching so far this series, tacking on eight runs in a Sunday matchup after scoring 14 on Saturday. Sunday's victim was Lakeland starter Ryan Longstreth, who gave up seven runs (five earned) on six hits and four walks in 3 1/3 innings. Francisco Martinez led the way for Lakeland's offense, collecting a couple of hits and a pair of RBI.

Martinez: 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI, SO
Ficociello: 1-4, 2B, R, RBI, SO
Betancourt: 1-4, R
Longstreth (L): 3.1 IP, 6 H, 7 R (5 ER), 4 BB, SO

COMING UP NEXT: The Flying Tigers and Manatees will finish off their three-game series tonight at Space Coast Stadium. Matt Crouse (1-1, 0.87 ERA) will start for Lakeland against righthander Brandon Woodruff (1-2, 4.20 ERA).

Fort Wayne Tincaps 3, West Michigan Whitecaps 0 (box)

A three-run fifth inning doomed the Whitecaps and starter Jeff Thompson, who picked up his fifth loss of the season. Thompson only allowed four hits in five innings of work, but got no help from the offense, who could only amass four hits of their own. The Whitecaps hit into a pair of double plays, including one with the bases loaded to end a promising third inning.

Hill: 1-3, SO
Pankake: 1-3, 2B
Kivett: 0-1, 2 BB
Shepherd: 1-3, SO
Thompson (L): 5.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R (2 ER), BB, 4 SO

Fort Wayne Tincaps 2, West Michigan Whitecaps 1 (box)

Spencer Turnbull went the distance in a shortened game for the Whitecaps, allowing two runs on seven hits in six innings. Unfortunately, it was not enough for West Michigan, who could only muster a run on two hits and five walks against Tin Caps starter Thomas Dorminy. The Whitecaps squandered numerous opportunities to break through, including a pair of bases loaded chances in the first and sixth innings. Derek Hill was responsible for the only West Michigan run of the afternoon, scoring on a Ross Kivett groundout after reaching third on an errant pickoff throw.

Hill: 2-4, 2B, R
Kivett: 0-3, RBI
Shepherd: 0-1, 2 BB
Turnbull (L): 6.0 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 6 SO

COMING UP NEXT: The Whitecaps and Tin Caps will conclude their four-game series tonight at Parkview Field. A.J. Ladwig (4-4, 4.40 ERA) will start for West Michigan against Ernesto Montas (4-3, 3.31 ERA) of the Tincaps.

★★★

After a rainout on Saturday evening forced the Erie SeaWolves and Akron Rubber Ducks to postpone their game in the fourth inning, the two teams were again rained out on Sunday. The two teams will make up those games when the SeaWolves visit Akron for a weekend series on June 19-21. The SeaWolves are off today, but will start a seven-game homestand with a series against the Reading Fightin' Phils on Tuesday.