Lakeland Flying Tigers snap 14-game skid

Toledo Mud Hens 2, Rochester Red Wings 1 (box)

With the Mud Hens short a starter on Monday night, a rough night for the pitching staff appeared in the cards. Fortunately, relievers Josh Zeid and Drew VerHagen were on point, combining for a seven-inning bullpen start. A solo shot off of Zeid was all they allowed, scattering five hits and striking out seven. While the offense never erupted, an RBI double from Dean Green produced one run, while Dixon Machado cranked out three hits himself, including a two-bagger of his own to lead the Mud Hens' attack. Guido Knudson (S, 7, 2.37 ERA), who appears on a fast track to the majors, came on for a two-inning save, while VerHagen collected the win.

Machado: 3-4, 2B, R
Green: 1-3, 2B, RBI
Zeid: 4.0 IP, ER, 2 H, 3 BB, 4 SO
VerHagen (W): 3.0 IP, 2 H, BB, 3 SO
Knudson (S): 2.0 IP, H, 2 BB, SO

Coming up next: The Red Wings will send Jose Berrios (9-3, 3.28 ERA) to the mound against the Mud Hens on Tuesday night. The Mud Hens have not announced a starter as of yet.

Erie SeaWolves 4, Reading Fightin Phils 3 (box)

The SeaWolves came out of the gate at full speed on Monday night, and then held on for a 4-3 victory. The SeaWolves top two hitters, Wynton Bernard and Jeff McVaney, each stole a base while going a combined 5-8 at the plate, pacing the offense to an early 4-0 lead. Unfortunately, starter Derek Hankins fine outing came unraveled a bit in the sixth and seventh innings, as he surrendered a a pair of bombs and was pulled for lefty Matt Crouse. Crouse gentled the Fightin Phils for two innings allowing just a hit, and protecting the 4-3 lead. The SeaWolves closer, Paul Voelker (5-0, 14 S, 1.83 ERA), continued his dominance, pitching around a one-out walk with a pair of strikeouts for his 15th save across two levels of minor league ball.

Bernard: 2-5, R, SB
McVaney: 3-4, RBI, SB
Hankins: 6.0 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 SO
Voelker: 1.0 IP, BB, 2 SO

Coming up next: The SeaWolves send Chad Green (2-14, 4.99 ERA) to the hill on Tuesday night for game two of the three-game series. The Fightin Phils' starter has not been announced.

Fort Myers Miracle 5, Lakeland Flying Tigers 1 (box)

Game one of today's double-header did not go well for the Flying Tigers, as they dropped their 14th straight game. Yes, 14 in a row. Locke St. John (2-10, 5.00 ERA) was lit up for five runs in 4 2/3 innings. The Flying Tigers could only muster five singles and one run in the seven-inning contest.

Verlander: 2-3, SO
Martinez: 1-3, RBI
St. John: 4.2 IP, 10 H, 4 ER, BB

Lakeland Flying Tigers 6, Fort Myers Miracle 1 (box)

Losing 14 straight games has to be infuriating. The top of the Flying Tigers' order raged out of the gate in the nightcap of their doubleheader. Jiwan James led the way with a pair of hits, including a solo shot to start the game. They knocked Miracle starter Chih-Wei Hu out of the game after 4 2/3 innings, racking up 10 hits and five runs.  With his start moved up a day, it was up to Jonathan Maciel (3-8, 5.42 ERA) to make the lead hold up. Maciel was strong through six innings, allowing just one run on five hits. Tyler Ford came on in the seventh and final inning of this one and held the lead in the non-save situation.

James: 2-4, HR, 2 R, RBI, SO
Hanover: 2-3 2B, R, RBI, BB
Betancourt: 2-4, RBI, SO
Maciel: 6 IP, 5 H, ER, 2 BB, 2 SO

Coming up next: The Flying Tigers have not announced a starter to take on the Miracle's Ryan Eades (6-3, 3.42 ERA).

★★★

The West Michigan Whitecaps were off on Monday, and will return to action on Tuesday night, kicking off a three game road set against the Bowling Green Hot Rods. The Whitecaps' Ross Seaton (9-4, 3.79 ERA) will take on the Hot Rods' hottest pitcher in Yonny Chirinos (2-1, 1.06 ERA).

The Connecticut Tigers were also idle on Monday night. They'll start a three game series against the Mahoning Valley Scrappers on Tuesday evening. The Tigers have yet to announce a starting pitcher for Tuesday night's opener.