Fernando Perez notches first win of season for West Michigan Whitecaps

Toledo Mud Hens 3, Norfolk Tides 1 (box)

Mike Belfiore turned in a solid start, allowing one run in 6 1/3 innings for his third win of the season. Josh Zeid and Alberto Cabrera combined to hold the slim lead, with Cabrera notching his ninth save of the season. The Mud Hens broke a 1-1 tie in the sixth inning with a pair of two-out RBI singles from Jordan Lennerton and Brendan Harris. Lennerton and Xavier Avery had two hits apiece, while Steven Moya, Jefry Marte, and Mike Hessman combined for seven walks.

Lennerton: 2-3, RBI, SO
Avery: 2-4, R
Marte: 1-2, 2B, R, RBI, 2 BB, SO
Hessman: 0-1, R, 3 BB
Belfiore (W): 6.1 IP, 5 H, ER, 2 BB, 2 SO

COMING UP NEXT: The Mud Hens will go for their third consecutive win tonight. Tim Melville (2-6, 5.70 ERA) will start for Toledo against former Tigers lefthander Pat McCoy (1-2, 2.95 ERA).

Akron Rubber Ducks 9, Erie SeaWolves 1 (box)

Akron scored five runs in four innings off of a pair of SeaWolves relievers as the two teams concluded a game suspended in the fifth inning on May 30. Starter Chad Green was charged with the loss, as he had allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits in four innings before the game was delayed. Ryan Robowski and Whit Mayberry were no better, allowing five runs on nine hits last night.

Green (L): 4.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R (3 ER), 3 BB, 4 SO
Robowski: 2.1 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, BB, 3 SO
Mayberry: 1.2 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 2 SO

Akron Rubber Ducks 4, Erie SeaWolves 2 (box)

Akron starter Mike Clevinger took a perfect game into the fifth inning, and a late Erie rally in the sixth was not enough to make up a four-run deficit. Erie managed just four hits on the night, but a triple from Wade Gaynor got things started in the sixth. After a pair of runs had scored, Wynton Bernard was caught trying to steal third base to end the rally. Derek Hankins threw a complete game, allowing four runs in six innings (the game was shortened to seven innings due to the doubleheader).

Castro: 1-3, R, RBI, SB
Gaynor: 1-2, 3B, R, SO
Bernard: 1-3, RBI, SB
Hankins (L): 6.0 IP, 9 H, 4 ER, 3 SO

COMING UP NEXT: Austin Kubitza (4-5, 4.77 ERA) will start for Erie tonight against Akron lefthander Ryan Merritt (4-5, 3.42 ERA). The two teams will complete a rare five-game series (due to rainouts) with a doubleheader on Sunday.

West Michigan Whitecaps 8, South Bend Cubs 4 (box)

The Whitecaps blew open a close game with three runs in the top of the ninth inning, giving starter Fernando Perez a long overdue first win of the season. Perez struggled a bit, allowing four runs (three earned) and four walks in five innings of work. Joey Pankake led the Whitecaps offense with a pair of doubles and three RBI, but nearly everyone chipped in as West Michigan had nine hits on the night, five of them doubles.

Pankake: 2-5, 2 2B, 3 RBI
Brown: 2-5, 2 R, RBI, SO
Kivett: 1-3, 2B, 2 R, RBI
Fuentes: 2-3, 2B, 3 R, BB, SO
Perez (W): 5.0 IP, 4 R (3 ER), 4 BB, 2 SO

COMING UP NEXT: A.J. Ladwig will take on Erick Leal as the Whitecaps and Cubs continue their series tonight at Four Winds Field.