Ross Seaton dominates Lake County Captains as Whitecaps win again

Columbus Clippers 4, Toledo Mud Hens 2 (box)

After taking two of three on the road at Columbus (45-41), the Mud Hens (38-47) set into Tuesday evening's contest on their home territory with a thirst for another victory. Toledo righty Tim Melville (3-7, 4.96 ERA) got the nod for the Mud Hens and submitted five innings of work against a steady Columbus offense. Melville allowed a pair of earned runs off three hits, walked five and struck out three before being relieved by right hander Drew Verhagen (0-2, 9.95 ERA) in the sixth. Bryan Holaday and Alex Castilla combined for five of the eight hits overall for the Mud Hens, and Toledo wrapped the evening going 8-for-33 at the plate overall. The consistent chipping away at the Toledo defense was key in ultimately lifting the Clippers to a victory at Fifth Third Field. Verhagen was credited with the loss, his second of the year.

Holaday: 2-4, R
Castilla: 3-4, 2B, RBI
Robinson: 1-5, 2B, SO
Moya: 1-3, 2B, RBI, BB, 2 SO
Melville: 5.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 5 BB, 3 SO
VerHagen (L): 2.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, SO

COMING UP NEXT: More action awaits with the Clippers returning to downtown Toledo for game two of their three-game series with the Mud Hens on Wednesday. Toledo righty Shane Greene (1-1, 3.47 ERA) is slated to face off against Columbus right hander Toru Murata (5-4, 2.91 ERA).

Clearwater Thrashers: 3, Lakeland Flying Tigers: 2 (F/12) (box)

How much baseball is too much baseball? The Lakeland Flying Tigers (38-43) seem to be pushing the envelope lately. Coming into Tuesday evening, the Flying Tigers had played an outrageous 30 innings of ball with the Dunedin Blue Jays in two days. As fate would have it, another battle into extras awaited them on the road for a visit in Clearwater (47-36). Lakeland lefty Kevin Ziomek (5-6, 4.04 ERA) commanded seven innings for the Flying Tigers, surrendering seven hits while holding the Thrashers to a pair of runs (one earned). Per usual, Raph Rhymes was on point, posting three hits, while Francisco Martinez went deep with a solo shot, his seventh this season. The combination of three errors and finishing 9-for-42 at the plate held the Flying Tigers at bay for a 12-inning loss to the Thrashers, bringing their innings total to 42 since July 5.

Martinez: 2-5, R, HR, RBI
Rhymes: 3-5, R, 2B
Betancourt: 1-4, 2B, RBI
Ziomek: 7.0 IP, 7 H, 2 R (1 ER), 2 BB, SO
Verastegui (L): 0.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER) 1 BB, 1 SO

COMING UP NEXT: An afternoon match awaits Lakeland as they return for game two of their road series with the Thrashers. Tip time is set for 12:00 pm EST. Lakeland starter Locke St. John (2-7, 4.72 ERA) will get the hill for the Flying Tigers against Clearwater starter Ricardo Pinto (2-1, 2.84 ERA).

West Michigan Whitecaps 3, Lake County Captains 0 (box)

If there was ever a picture of consistency at the Single-A level of pitching, no one would fit the mold better than West Michigan's Ross Seaton (9-3, 3.86 ERA). The Whitecaps (42-40) welcomed the Lake County Captains (40-41) back to town and Seaton settled in to hold the Captains scoreless through 7 2/3 innings of work, scattering six hits and striking out three. West Michigan offense was led by Derek Hill, looking much improved since his issues with a previous calf strain, who posted a triple and two RBI. Joining the party was Rashad Brown, who combined with Hill for three of the Whitecaps' six hits on the evening. Johan Belisario (1-2, 1.85 ERA), a 21-year-old righthander, came in for relief for West Michigan and was equally as sharp, holding the Captains at a distance to earn his 10th save this season. The Whitecaps secure their second consecutive win, moving them to 9-4 in the second half, leading the Midwest League Eastern Division.

Brown: 2-4, RBI
Hill: 1-4, R, 3B, 2 RBI
Navarro: 1-3, R, 2B, SO
Kivett: 1-4, SO
Seaton (W): 7.2 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 3 SO

COMING UP NEXT: Wednesday looks to pit West Michigan for their third consecutive win, as they welcome the Captains back to Fifth Third Ballpark for game two of their three-game home stand. First pitch is set for 7:00 p.m. EST.

★★★

The Erie Seawolves fell victim to their eighth weather related postponement on Tuesday evening. The three-game series with the Altoona Curve will be downsized to a double feature on Wednesday, beginning at 5:05 pm EST.

The Connecticut Tigers had a down day on Tuesday and look to action again on Wednesday at State College for the first in two three-game road series for the Tigers.