Spenser Watkins strikes out 9 in Whitecaps road win

Toledo Mud Hens 2, Louisville Bats 0 (box)

After wading through weather-related postponements to start the season, the Mud Hens (3-1) hit the road to kick off a four-game series at Louisville Slugger Field against the Louisville Bats (2-3). Toledo righty Thad Weber (1-0, 0.00 ERA) held the Bats scoreless through six innings, striking out three and receiving relief from rehabbing Tigers Alex Wilson and Blaine Hardy, who each tossed an inning of scoreless work. At the plate, the Mud Hens only mustered four hits on the day, three of which were doubles; one contributed by the rehabbing Cameron Maybin, as well as Steven Moya and Tommy Field.

Field: 1-3, R, 2B, RBI, SO
Maybin: 1-4, 2B, RBI, 2 SO
McGehee: 1-3, BB, SO
Moya: 1-4, 2B, SO
Weber (W): 6.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, BB, 3 SO
Hardy: 1.0 IP, H, 0 ER, 2 SO
A. Wilson: 1.0 IP, 0 ER, SO

Coming Up Next: Toledo returns to Louisville Slugger Field on Friday for Game two against the Bats slated to kick off at 7:05 pm.

Binghamton Mets 12, Erie SeaWolves 2 (box)

It's not the way any team enjoys kicking off the year in front of the home crowd. The struggles hit early for the Erie SeaWolves (3-4) and picking up ground against the Binghamton Mets (3-2) proved to be more difficult than anticipated. SeaWolves righthander Myles Jaye (0-1, 6.75 ERA) was rocked for seven runs (five earned) off eight hits in just three innings on the hill. Offense for Erie was slim, as the SeaWolves pounded out just four hits on the night, including a two-run shot in the eighth from Jason Krizan. The damage was more than Erie could handle, dropping their opener at The Uht.

Krizan: 1-3, HR, R, 2 RBI
Ficociello: 1-3, R
D. Green: 1-4, SO
Nunez: 1-4, 2 SO
Jaye (L): 3.0 IP, 8 H, 7 R (5 ER), 2 BB, SO

Coming Up Next: The Mets and SeaWolves return to Jerry Uht Park on Friday for game two of their four-game series. Game time is 6:35 p.m. ET.

Lakeland Flying Tigers 5, Jupiter Hammerheads 0 (box)

After dropping five of their previous eight games, Ben Verlander and Jared Reaves led the Flying Tigers' (3-5) charge at Henley Field on Thursday to wrap up a four-game series against the Jupiter Hammerheads (3-5).  Jairo Labourt took the hill for the Flying Tigers, working three innings and striking out a pair before making way for Lakeland righty Adenson Verastegui (1-1, 6.75 ERA), who fanned four to earn his first win of the year. Ben Verlander punched a double, adding two RBI. Jared Reaves added another pair of RBI off a two-run shot in the fourth, his first of the year for Lakeland. With the win, the Flying Tigers split the four-game series.

Verlander: 1-3, R, 2B, 2 RBI, BB, 2 SO
Reaves:  1-3, HR, R, 2 RBI, BB
Scivicque: 1-3, R, RBI, BB
Labourt: 3.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO
Verastegui (W): 2.1 IP, 0 ER, 3 BB, 4 SO

Coming Up Next: Lakeland righthander A.J. Ladwig (1-0, 0.00 ERA) gets the start to lead the Flying Tigers into their four-game road series with the Bradenton Marauders.

West Michigan Whitecaps 9, Dayton Dragons 1 (box)

The West Michigan Whitecaps (3-4) launched a fresh road series in style, displaying brilliance on both sides of the ball against the Dayton Dragons (1-7) on Thursday evening. Spenser Watkins (1-0, 1.69 ERA) dazzled with nine strikeouts spread over six innings, and received plenty of support at the plate to help his cause. West Michigan infielder Will Maddox knocked a ridiculous three doubles for the Whitecaps, adding to the seven doubles overall for West Michigan. Whitecaps catcher Shane Zeile added a double of his own to go along with four RBI and a two-run shot in the third inning.

Zeile: 2-4, 2B, HR, R, 4 RBI, BB
Maddox: 2-5, 3 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI
Pirtle: 2-5, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI
Gibson: 2-5, R, SO
Watkins (W): 6.0 IP, H, 0 ER, BB, 9 SO

Coming Up Next: Both clubs return to Dayton on Friday for the second installment of their four-game series, with West Michigan righty Fernando Perez slated to get the start for the Whitecaps.