Tigers' 2015 draft selections making a splash despite franchise struggles

Indianapolis Indians 6, Toledo Mud Hens 1 (box)

Coming into Saturday's matchup against Indianapolis (55-39) in game three of their four-game home stand, Toledo (40-54) looked to snap a four-game skid by sending righthander Buck Farmer (7-3, 4.13 ERA) to the hill. In very uncharacteristic fashion, Indianapolis roughed up Farmer with six runs off seven hits in less than an inning of work. Drew VerHagen (0-2, 7.56 ERA) entered in relief with just one out in the first. With the inherited base runners, VerHagen didn't fare any better, surrendering another four runs (two earned) off three hits in his two innings. The offensive support for the Mud Hens ran sparse, but Steven Moya gave reason for celebration when he sent a rocket over the wall, his 13^th this season with the Mud Hens. The Indians' offensive onslaught was more than Toledo could bounce back from, resulting in their fifth consecutive loss, and the third loss this season for Farmer.

Fields: 1-5, 2B, 3 SO
Moya: 1-3, HR, R, RBI, BB
Hessman: 1-3, SO
Green, D.: 1-4, 2 SO
Farmer (L): 0.1 IP, 7 H, 6 ER

COMING UP NEXT: The Mud Hens will return to Fifth Third Field for the conclusion of their four-game standoff against the Indians on Sunday evening, hoping to avoid the sweep and snap the five-game losing streak.

Akron Rubber Ducks 12, Erie SeaWolves 2 (box)

With their four-game series at Jerry Uht Park split at a game apiece, the Seawolves (36-55) looked to Chad Green (2-13, 5.04 ERA) to take control of the series against against Akron (49-45). A pair of Akron errors in the first opened the door for Jason Krizan to score the first run for the SeaWolves, but the RubberDucks broke out for a six-run second inning and another five runs again in the fourth. Green staggered through three innings for Erie, allowing nine runs (three earned) off 10 hits and striking out five. Miguel Gonzalez notched the only extra base hit for the SeaWolves with a double, but it was one of only four Erie hits. The overwhelming push by Akron Green his 13th loss, second-most in SeaWolves history.

Krizan: 1-4, R, RBI, SO
Gonzalez, M: 1-4, 2B, R, 2 SO
Harrell: 1-4
Gonzalez, A: 1-2, BB
Green (L): 3.0 IP, 10 H, 9 R (3 ER), BB, 5 SO

COMING UP NEXT: Erie concludes their four-game homestand against Akron on Sunday at Jerry Uht Park. They hit the road on Monday for a series against the Altoona Curve.

Bradenton Marauders 3, Lakeland Flying Tigers 1 (box)

The excessive amounts of baseball played so far this season by the Flying Tigers (39-52) have been anything but beneficial, and tonight was no exception. With a combination of extra-inning matchups and a supply of bullpen assistance now running thin, the Flying Tigers had dropped their previous seven contests. Lefthander Locke St. John (2-9, 4.85 ERA) was entrusted to see the task through for Lakeland. St. John worked the hill for six innings against Bradenton (47-46), allowing three earned runs off eight hits with one strikeout. Lakeland outfielder Raph Rhymes recorded a hit, stringing the next piece to his current five-game hit streak. Francisco Martinez posted two of the nine hits overall for Lakeland, but the Flying Tigers weren't able to keep pace with Bradenton and surrendered their eighth straight loss.

Martinez: 2-4
Rhymes: 1-4, RBI
Betancourt: 1-4, 2 SO
St. John (L): 6.0 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, SO

COMING UP NEXT: The Flying Tigers return to Joker Marchant Stadium to host a three-game homestand against Clearwater, before heading back on the road.

South Bend Cubs 5, West Michigan Whitecaps 3 (box)

The 2015 draft class is finding ways to give the Tigers reasons to look ahead to a brighter, less frustrating future. Christin Stewart and Kade Scivicque have both settled in to their debuts at the Single-A level, and both are instilling confidence in the onlookers a little more each game. As West Michigan (47-44) hit the road to take on South Bend (42-48), Scivicque and Stewart led the charge at the plate. Scivicque posted his second consecutive multi-hit game and a double by Stewart to score Ross Kivett gave West Michigan some early excitement. West Michigan starter A.J. Ladwig (8-7, 3.91 ERA) took the hill for the Whitecaps and worked through six innings, allowing five earned runs off six hits, including a solo home run to Jeffrey Baez in the first inning. South Bend's consistency at the plate gave the Cubs a leg up, earning them the victory in the series opener with West Michigan.

Scivicque: 2-3, R, RBI, BB
Stewart: 1-4, R, 2B, RBI
Kengor: 1-2, RBI, BB
Shepherd: 1-4, SO
Gerber: 1-4, 2 SO
Ladwig: (W) 6.1 IP, 6 H, 5 ER, 3 SO

COMING UP NEXT: West Michigan will return to face South Bend on Sunday for game two of their three-game road series.

Hudson Valley Renegades 6, Connecticut Tigers 4 (box)

Following the influence of the Lakeland Flying Tigers, Connecticut (12-15) decided to try their hand at extra inning action against Hudson Valley (15-12). Tigers' righty Josh Heddinger (0-0, 3.38 ERA) got the nod for Connecticut and held the hill for roughly two innings. Heddinger allowed two runs (one earned) off two hits and struck out two before giving way to Drew Smith (1-0, 0.55 ERA) in relief. Smith was once again consistent in his work, holding Hudson Valley scoreless while allowing a pair of hits and striking out four for the Tigers. Triples from both Cam Gibson and Steven Fuentes highlighted the 11 hits for Connecticut and was key in carrying them into the 10th inning. A pair of runs for Hudson Valley at the top of extras was above what Connecticut could match and they fell to the Renegades in 10 innings of play.

Gibson: 1-5, 3B, RBI, 2 SO
Fuentes: 1-4, R, 3B, 3 SO
Allen: 1-5, 2 R
Havrilak: 2-4, SO
Navarro: 2-4, 2 RBI
Padron: 2-5, RBI
Smith, J. (L): 1.2 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO

COMING UP NEXT: The Tigers are back at it against the Renegades on Sunday for game two of their three-game home stand before heading back out on the road for back-to-back travel series.