Tigers' 3rd round pick Drew Smith posts 1st win with Connecticut Tigers

Harrisburg Senators 2, Erie SeaWolves 1 (box)

In their final match up before a two-day Eastern League All-Star break, the SeaWolves (35-53) arrived at Metro Bank Park on Monday with hopes to wrap their series on a high note against Harrisburg (45-46). Erie righthander Tommy Collier (2-0, 2.35 ERA) took his impressive run to the hill for the SeaWolves, working five innings and holding the Senators to a trio of hits and posting six strikeouts. Run support for Collier proved to run sparse as the SeaWolves were only about to produce four hits in 31 trips to the plate, with Curt Powell scoring the only run in the third inning off an RBI-single from Jeff McVaney. Wynton Bernard was responsible for the only extra base knock for Erie with a double, bringing his season total to 20. Harrisburg got the final word in the seventh when Cutter Dykstra sent a delivery by SeaWolves reliever Joe Mantiply (1-2, 3.50 ERA) over the left-center wall.

Bernard: 1-4, 2B
Robbins: 1-4
Green, D: 1-4
McVaney: 1-4, 2 SO
Collier: 5.0 IP, ER, 2 BB, 6 SO
Mantiply (L): 2.0 IP, H, ER, 2 BB, 2 SO

COMING UP NEXT: The SeaWolves begin Tuesday with some down time before sending four of their own to the Eastern League All-Star game on Wednesday. SeaWolves pitchers Tommy Collier and Josh Turley, along with designated hitter Dean Green and outfielder Wynton Bernard will serve as the representation for Erie. The SeaWolves return to action at home on Thursday, beginning a four-game home stand against the Akron Rubberducks (47-44).

St. Lucie Mets 5, Lakeland Flying Tigers 3

If there was ever a team ready for a day off, it would be the Flying Tigers (39-48). Since July 5, Lakeland has played 101 innings of baseball, including a rain delayed, two-day 21-inning battle against the Dunedin Blue Jays. Needless to say, the pitching rotation options are running thin and the offense was not able to find the accelerator as they faced the St. Lucie Mets (46-43) on Monday. Lakeland lefty Locke St. John (2-8, 4.88 ERA) was taken to task by the Mets offense, allowing seven hits through four innings. Tyler Hanover led the Flying Tigers with two of their six hits on the night. Raph Rhymes pushed for a last effort in the ninth courtesy of a two-run single, but it wasn't enough to overcome 12 St. Lucie hits. With the win, the Mets reach a season-high six game win streak, while Lakeland has now dropped four straight.

Hanover: 2-3, R, RBI, BB
Verlander: 0-3, R, BB, 2 SO
Martinez: 0-2, R, BB
Ficociello: 1-4
Rhymes: 1-4, 2 RBI, BB
St. John (L): 4.0 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 3 SO

COMING UP NEXT: The Flying Tigers will most likely be sleeping until noon on Tuesday, as they enjoy a day to recuperate, before hitting the road for a four-game road series with the Bradenton Marauders (43-46).

Bowling Green Hot Rods: 4, West Michigan Whitecaps: 2

As the evening came to a close for Bowling Green's (47-42) visit to Fifth Third Ballpark on Monday evening, the final score did not do the justice to the show put on by the Hot Rods. West Michigan's (44-43) Fernando Perez (1-8, 4.22 ERA) was no match for the Hot Rods as they tagged Perez for 12 hits through six innings pitched, while allowing four earned runs with only a single strikeout. The Whitecaps were unable to back him up at the plate, with only four hits on the night, including a double from Arvicent Perez (his fourth this season) and a triple from Shane Zeile and Rashad Brown. Even with extra bases, lack of offense and the ability to hold off a sizzling Bowling Green performance at the plate was enough to cost West Michigan the victory. West Michigan drops their second consecutive game before entering an off-day on Tuesday.

Brown: 1-3, R, 3B, BB
Gerber: 1-3, BB
Zeile: 1-3, 3B, RBI, BB, 2 SO
Perez, A: 1-4, 2B
Perez, F (L): 6.0 IP, 12 H, 4 R (4 ER), 1 SO

COMING UP NEXT: West Michigan returns on Thursday to open a three-game home stand against the visiting Dayton Dragons (49-40) before heading back out on the road on Saturday to take on South Bend (39-47).

Connecticut Tigers: 2, Williamsport Crosscutters: 1

Solid offense and another strong showing from the mound for Connecticut (11-12) provided the edge they were looking for coming into Monday's action against Williamsport. Connecticut lefty Tyler Alexander got the nod for the Tigers and had no issue producing three (17-6) strong innings, holding the Crosscutters to just one hit and striking out two. Christin Stewart continued his hot performance at the plate, leading a Connecticut offense that raked in 10 hits for the day. Kade Scivicque also posted a double for the Tigers. In relief, Drew Smith (1-0, 0.69 ERA) following Alexander's example, limiting Williamsport to three hits and keeping the Crosscutters at bay. A late push by the Crosscutters in the seventh off Connecticut reliever Nate Fury (0-0, 2.79 ERA) wasn't enough to get beyond the Tigers and Connecticut was able to walk away with the victory, handing Drew Smith his first win.

Stewart: 2-4, 3B, 2 RBI, SO
Scivicque: 2-4, 2B, SO
Baptist: 2-4
Smith (W): 3.0 IP, 3 H, 2 SO

COMING UP NEXT: The Tigers will join the rest of the Detroit franchise with a day off the radar on Tuesday. Connecticut will return to action against the Lowell Spinners (14-10) on Wednesday for a three-game run, beginning by the Spinners playing host, part two will be hosted by Connecticut and the series will wrap at home for the Spinners.

Due to the International League All-Star break, the Toledo Mud Hens have taken a break of their own and will resume play on Wednesday. The Mud Hens will be back at it again on Thursday, playing host to the visiting Indianapolis Indians (52-39) for a four-game home stand at Fifth Third Field.