Mike Hessman ties minor league career home run record in Mud Hens victory

Toledo Mud Hens 9, Rochester Red Wings 3 (box)

It was hard to ignore the buzz surrounding Fifth Third Field on Wednesday as resident Toledo slugger Mike Hessman stepped into yet another opportunity to tie the current Minor League career home run record set by Buzz Arlett. Hessman sent a two-run screamer over the wall in the third inning for his 15th home run this season and 432nd all-time, tying the record. Mike Belfiore (5-9, 5.34 ERA) to set the tone from the hill, allowing a pair of runs off eight hits and striking out three in 5 2/3 innings of work. Bryan Holaday and Marc Krauss were among the Mud Hens to contribute doubles, while Krauss posted a trio of runs and hits, as well as two RBI. Toledo takes two out of three from the Red Wings in a series finale victory.

Collins: 1-4, R, 2B, BB, SO
Krauss: 3-4, 3 R, 2B, 2 RBI, BB, SO
Hessman: 2-4, R, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, BB
Holaday: 1-4, R, 2B
Belfiore (W): 5.2 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 4 BB, 3 SO

COMING UP NEXT: The Mud Hens will enjoy a day off on Thursday before taking to the road to face off with the Louisville Bats in a three-game standoff.

Reading Fightin' Phils 9, Erie SeaWolves 8 (box)

Those in attendance for Wednesday's contest between Reading (56-48) and the visiting Erie SeaWolves (40-63) were treated to an all-out hit parade, as the two teams combined for an astonishing 26 hits. For Erie, extra bases were the order of the day and Dean Green was in his element, blasting two home runs for the SeaWolves. Dominic Ficociello made his presence known with a two-run shot in the second, and Wade Gaynor iced the cake with a three-run bomb of his own. Continuing to lead Erie with nine wins, Josh Turley (9-7, 3.87 ERA) came searching for win number 10, but Reading would have no part of it. Turley was rocked for eight earned runs off 12 hits over three innings of work. Despite the stellar performance at the plate for the SeaWolves, a late RBI single in the bottom of the ninth squeaked the Fightin' Phils to a 9-8 victory over Erie, handing the loss to SeaWolves reliever Montreal Robertson (1-2, 2.51 ERA).

Green, D: 2-5, 2 R, 2 HR, 2 RBI
Green, A: 3-4, 2 R, 2B, BB
Ficociello: 2-4, 2 R, HR, 2 RBI, SO
Gaynor: 1-4, R, HR, 3 RBI, SO
Turley: 3.2 IP, 12 H, 8 ER, BB, 3 SO
Robertson (L): 1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R (0 ER), BB, 2 SO

COMING UP NEXT: It's on to New Britain for the SeaWolves as they move to their next road series for a four-game stretch against the Rock Cats, beginning on Thursday.

Fort Myers Miracle 6, Lakeland Flying Tigers 0 (box)

The task of facing Fort Myers (58-46) in a four-game stretch has proven to be more difficult that the Flying Tigers (40-60) would care to admit. With only one win in their last 16 contests, Lakeland looked to Kevin Ziomek (5-9, 4.31 ERA) to lead the way from the hill. It only took three innings for the Miracle to gain the upper hand, tagging Ziomek for five earned runs off nine hits with five strikeouts. The Flying Tigers offense couldn't seem to get the jolt they were looking for, posting three hits in 30 plate appearances. Jared Reaves was responsible for the lone highlight at the plate with a triple.

James: 1-4, SO
Betancourt: 1-4
Reaves: 1-3, 3B
Ziomek (L): 3.1 IP, 9 H, 5 ER, BB, 5 SO

COMING UP NEXT: The Charlotte Stone Crabs will prepare to host the Flying Tigers beginning on Thursday as they kickoff for a four-game road series.

Mahoning Valley Scrappers 4, Connecticut Tigers 3 (box)

It was back to business for the Scrappers (17-20) and the Tigers (18-19) as they reconnected for game two of their three-game contest on Wednesday. Connecticut righty Ryan Castellanos (0-0, 1.80 ERA) got the start for the Tigers and maneuvered through five innings, allowing one run off five hits, including a solo shot to Sam Haggerty in the third. Cam Gibson joined in the extra base work by posting a triple for Connecticut, his second this season. A three-run third inning gave a jump to Connecticut, but a steady stream of single-run work spread through the remaining innings gave Mahoning Valley enough to gain momentum. Working their way into the 10th inning, an RBI double for the Scrappers off Tigers reliever Jake Shull (0-2, 2.25 ERA) was all they needed for the win.

Padron: 1-3, 2B, BB
Gibson: 1-4, R, 3B, RBI, BB
Donnels: 2-5, 2B, RBI
Baptist: 3-5
Castellanos: 5.0 IP, 5 H, ER, 2 BB, SO
Shull (L): 2.0 IP, 2 H, ER, SO

COMING UP NEXT: The finale to the action between Mahoning Valley and Connecticut is slated for Thursday evening with Connecticut working to avoid the series sweep.

★★★

It only took three innings for Mother Nature to mix lightening into the contest between West Michigan and Bowling Green before they were forced to head for the clubhouse. In typical fashion, Michael Gerber was able to blast a solo home run, giving the Whitecaps a 1-0 lead before the postponement. The two teams will rejoin on Thursday to finish the remaining innings of play.