Erie SeaWolves struggle, drop doubleheader

Lehigh Valley IronPigs 5, Toledo Mud Hens 1 (box)

It was a literal trip down on the farm as the IronPigs (43-54) went to work for game two against the Mud Hens (42-55) in their four-game stand at Coca-Cola Park. Toledo righty Thad Weber (6-6, 3.97 ERA) had his work cut out for him through six innings on the hill, as Lehigh Valley pegged him for five earned runs off nine hits, including a two-run dinger to Chase d'Arnaud in the fourth inning. The Mud Hens offense struggled to find a kick-start with Steven Moya and Dixon Machado combining for four of the five hits overall for Toledo with Moya and Trayvon Robinson each hitting a double. Chase D'Arnaud led a three-run fifth inning for the IronPigs, securing a game two victory for Lehigh Valley, handing Weber his sixth loss this season.

Machado: 2-4
Moya: 2-4, 2B
Robinson: 1-3, R, 2B
Weber (L): 6.0 IP, 9 H, 5 ER, 8 SO

COMING UP NEXT: Toledo will meet the IronPigs again on Wednesday for game three of their four-game series. Following their series with Lehigh Valley, the Mud Hens will hit one more travel stop before returning to action at Fifth Third Field.

Altoona Curve 18, Erie SeaWolves 7 (box)

Thanks to the involvement of Mother Nature this season, the action between Altoona (52-45) and Erie (37-58) was transitioned to a double-feature to make up for a postponement back on July 9. Erie right hander Austin Kubitza (5-9, 6.06 ERA) was battered through a pair of innings, allowing seven earned runs off 10 hits. The Altoona offense was led by Stetson Allie, who set the tone with a career-best five RBI, courtesy of a grand slam cranked in the fifth inning. Jeff McVaney led the Seawolves with a trio of RBI and two hits for the night, while Wynton Bernard finished the first game with three stolen bases for the SeaWolves. Altoona closed the night with 18 runs off 24 hits and the Seawolves, along with Kubitza were forced to take the seven-inning loss.

Gonzalez: 1-2, R, BB, SO
Krizan: 1-3, 2 R, BB
Ficociello: 1-4, R, SO
McVaney: 2-4, R, 3 RBI, SO
Kubitza (L): 2.2 IP, 10 H, 8 R (7 ER), 2 BB, 2 SO

Altoona Curve 8, Erie Seawolves 7 (box)

Erie righty Warwick Saupold (3-6, 4.36 ERA) got the call to the hill for game two, working five solid innings for the SeaWolves. Saupold held Altoona to one earned run off three hits throughout his campaign. Altoona struck first with an RBI double in the third and neither team saw much activity until the final two innings, with Miguel Gonzalez going deep in the sixth and a double for Wynton Bernard to liven things up. Bernard also added another bunch of stolen bases, bringing his total on the night to five. A seven-run explosion in the seventh off the Erie bullpen was more than the SeaWolves could handle and they dropped the second half of the evening.

Bernard: 3-5, R, 2B, RBI
Gonzalez: 3-4, 2 R, HR, 4 RBI
Krizan: 2-3, R, RBI
Mercedes (L, BS): 0.1 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, BB

COMING UP NEXT: It's a battle of righthanders as Erie clashes one last time with the Curve before returning to Jerry Uht Park. Altoona righty Chad Kuhl (7-4, 2.73 ERA) will face Erie right hander Derek Hankins (4-6, 4.86 ERA) to close out the series.

Clearwater Thrashers 10, Lakeland Flying Tigers 5 (box)

Coming into Tuesday evening, the Flying Tigers (39-55) had dropped the previous two contests of the three-game series to the Thrashers (55-41) and looked to righty Brennan Smith (4-2, 2.54 ERA) to change the course. Clearwater came ready to hit and pressed Smith for five earned runs off eight hits scattered over his six innings of work for Lakeland. Lakeland fared no better following Smith's exit as Clearwater made another push with four runs off the Lakeland relief pitching. The Flying Tigers posted nine hits at the plate, including three doubles. Clearwater finished the night with 10 runs off 15 hits and Lakeland dropped an unfortunate 11^th consecutive loss.

Betancourt: 2-5, R, 2B
Martinez: 2-5, 2 R, SO
Powell: 2-2, 2B, BB
Smith (L): 6.0 IP, 8 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 4 SO

COMING UP NEXT: The Flying Tigers hit the road once again to begin a four-game travel series against Palm Beach, followed by an additional road series with Fort Myers before they return to Joker Marchant Stadium.

Dayton Dragons 6, West Michigan Whitecaps 3 (box)

West Michigan (49-45) starter Ross Seaton (9-4, 3.79 ERA) discovered that Dayton (53-43) wasn't going to make the night an easy one for him. Seaton was tagged for 10 hits and four earned runs with a pair of strikeouts throughout his four innings of work for West Michigan. Run support came in low supply as the Whitecaps finished the night at 6-for-34 at the plate. David Gonzalez led the pack with a pair of hits, including a deep solo shot in the fifth inning. A series of single run innings for Dayton chipped away at the scoreboard and the quiet performance at the plate for West Michigan closed the door for the Whitecaps, handing Dayton the victory. Dayton closed the night with 16 hits, including five doubles for the Dragons. Seaton takes the loss for West Michigan and remains a step away from hitting the double digit win column this season.

Gonzalez: 2-3, R, 3B, HR, 3 RBI, SO
Shepherd: 1-4, R
Kengor: 1-4, R, 3 SO
Seaton (L): 4.0 IP, 10 H, 4 ER, 2 SO

COMING UP NEXT: West Michigan will return to action at Fifth Third Field in Dayton on Wednesday for game two of their three-game road series with the Dragons. West Michigan Artie Lewicki (1-3, 4.46 ERA) will face Dayton starter Wyatt Strahan (6-7, 2.81 ERA) in the contest.

Connecticut Tigers 2, Batavia MuckDogs 1 (box)

It was a pitcher's night between Connecticut (14-16) and Batavia (9-21) on Tuesday evening, as Connecticut starter Matt Hall (0-0, 3.38 ERA) faced off Batavia right hander Jordan Holloway (1-3, 3.33 ERA). Hall controlled three innings for the Tigers, holding Batavia to one run off four hits and posting a strikeout. Corey Baptist led the Tigers' offense with a pair of hits, while Steven Fuentes notched a triple, his second this season. Connecticut reliever Chase Edwards (3-3, 5.12 ERA) worked five strong innings for the Tigers, allowing only two hits, striking out six and holding Batavia scoreless. The see-saw pitching battle leaned in favor of the Tigers and Edwards moves to 3-3 on the year.

Baptist: 2-4, BB
Donnels: 1-5, R, SO
Fuentes: 1-3, 3B, 2 RBI, BB
Edwards (W): 5.0 IP, 2 H, BB, 6 SO

COMING UP NEXT: Connecticut will go for their third straight win as they face off with Batavia again for game three of their four-game series on Wednesday evening.