SeaWolves get thwacked on Affiliate Day in Erie

Much like the fans of their big brother to the west, the city of Erie made it clear that no matter the type of season, the SeaWolves fans appreciate the opportunity to take in action from the Tigers' Double-A affiliate. Nearly 4,500 fans showed up in support of Tigers' Affiliate Day at Jerry Uht Park, as the SeaWolves prepared to welcome back the Harrisburg Senators for some late-season activity.

Legendary Tigers' shortstop and 1984 World Series MVP Alan Trammell was on hand with the 1984 World Series Commissioners trophy, giving those in attendance the opportunity to pose for pictures with the trophy and take part in an autograph session with Trammell.

An autographed bat from Miguel Cabrera was featured among a variety of items for a special silent auction, including game used memorabilia from James McCann, J.D. Martinez, Nick Castellanos and Rajai Davis.

The excitement of the day's events helped to soften the blow of a less than ideal meeting between the Senators and SeaWolves as the SeaWolves fell in a 14-2 skid in front of the home crowd. Since their elimination from postseason plat, the SeaWolves have 10 days remaining in the regular season, with 11 games scheduled, due to a double header with the Bowie Baysox. 

Toledo Mud Hens 4, Columbus Clippers 3 (box)

Kyle Ryan (4-9, 4.19 ERA) maneuvered 7 1/3 innings of work for the Mud Hens (54-80), keeping Columbus to a pair of runs. Dixon Machado led a 10-hit campaign for the Mud Hens with three hits and Jefry Marte added a pair of doubles. Key hits and a second save from Jeff Ferrell (0-1, 5.87 ERA - S, 2) squeaked Toledo out of a five-game sweep to walk away with the win.

Harrisburg Senators 14, Erie SeaWolves 1 (box)

The Senators came out swinging against Austin Kubitza (8-12, 5.84 ERA) and the SeaWolves on Friday evening. Kubitza withstood the barrage through 1 2/3 innings, getting tagged for nine runs off seven hits with a pair of strikeouts. The SeaWolves finished the night going 4-30 at the plate with Jason Krizan posting two of the four Erie hits in the landslide loss.

Dunedin Blue Jays 4, Lakeland Flying Tigers 1 (box)

A handful of extra-base hits for the Flying Tigers couldn't quite kick start the offense as Lakeland had hoped for against the Blue Jays on Friday. Brennan Smith (5-6, 3.08 ERA) worked the opening five innings for the Flying Tigers and a three-run push proved to give just the right leverage for Dunedin. Grayson Greiner stood as one of three Flying Tigers to knock a double and would score the only run on the night for Lakeland in the loss.

Lansing Lugnuts 7, West Michigan Whitecaps 5 (box)

Whitecaps starter Jeff Thompson (6-11, 3.99 ERA) allowed five runs off eight hits, striking out two in his campaign. Francisco Contreras was spot on for West Michigan, leading the offense with a double and a triple and driving four RBI on the night. The persistent push from Lansing set the Lugnuts a step ahead, evening the series at one win apiece.

Connecticut Tigers 1, Lowell Spinners 0 (box)

Tigers starter Spenser Watkins (5-4, 2.23 ERA) was stellar from the get-go. The right hander tossed a three-hit shutout in his seven innings of work for the Tigers and head's up base running from Will Allen crossed the winning run across the plate for the Tigers. Jake Shull (0-4, 3.66 ERA - S, 7) secured his seventh save on the year in relief with a pair of scoreless innings and four strikeouts.

★★★

Upcoming Action

Mud Hens: The Mud Hens kick off the first half of a six-game stretch at Fifth Third Field beginning on Saturday.

SeaWolves: Erie will spend the weekend continuing their battle with the Harrisburg Senators for the final half of their four game series.

Flying Tigers: The Flying Tigers will wrap one series and begin another over the weekend. After wrapping up the series with Dunedin Sautrday, Lakeland will begin a fresh one Sunday, visiting Brevard County.

Whitecaps: The Whitecaps will conclude their home stand with their finale against Lansing. West Michigan will hit the road on Sunday for the start of a road series with Great Lakes.

Tigers: The Tigers wrap up their series with Lowell Saturday then head out on the road on Sunday for a three-game stretch with Staten Island.