Tigers prospect Derek Hill records 1st career 4-hit game in win

Toledo Mud Hens 4, Norfolk Tides 2 (box)

Toledo starter Matt Crouse scattered eight hits over seven innings, limiting the Tides to just two runs (one earned). The Mud Hens offense threatened all game long with 12 hits, including a home run and two RBI from Casey McGehee. However, the game was still close because Toledo’s offense went 2-for-17 (!) with runners in scoring position and left 10 runners on base. Jeff McVaney and Dixon Machado both had three-hit games, while Tyler Collins collected a pair of knocks. Bobby Parnell walked a pair of batters in the ninth, but was still able to lock down his seventh save of the year.

Machado: 3-5, 2 2B, R, RBI
McVaney: 3-3, BB
McGehee: 2-3, HR, R, 2 RBI
Collins: 2-4, 2B, RBI, SO
Crouse (W): 7.0 IP, 8 H, 2 R (1 ER), 3 SO

Coming up next: The Mud Hens will kick off a five-game weekend series against the Indianapolis Indians on American Gladiator Night at Fifth Third Field.

Reading Fightin’ Phils 14, Erie SeaWolves 1 (box)

Starter Calvin Drummond only lasted three-plus innings after allowing six runs on five hits and two walks, but the Phils were only just getting started. They scored another run in the fifth, then tagged the Erie bullpen for seven runs in the sixth inning to turn a comfortable lead into a serious blowout. Relievers Kurt Spomer and Adam Ravenelle gave up four runs apiece for Erie. The SeaWolves offense managed eight hits — three from Wynton Bernard — but left nine runners on base.

Bernard: 3-5, SO, SB
Ficociello: 1-4, HR, R, RBI
Harrell: 1-4, SO
Drummond (L): 3.0 IP, 5 H, 6 ER, 2 BB, 4 SO

Coming up next: Tommy Collier (6-5, 3.54 ERA) gets the start as the SeaWolves begin a four-game home series against Akron.

Tampa Yankees 3, Lakeland Flying Tigers 2 (box)

Matt Hall allowed two runs on five hits in six innings, but was hung out to dry by a Lakeland offense that went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position. Hall struck out eight in his second Florida State League start, which went much better than the first despite the loss. Kade Scivicque and Michael Gerber had multi-hit games for Lakeland, who dropped to 35-40 after the loss.

Gerber: 2-4, SO
Scivicque: 2-4, R, SO
Shepherd: 2-4, R, SO
Kivett: 1-4, 2B, RBI, SO
Hall (L): 6.0 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 8 SO

Coming up next: Jeff Thompson (5-2, 3.10 ERA) will start for Lakeland as they finish up their quick two-game series with Tampa.

West Michigan Whitecaps 10, Bowling Green Hot Rods 7 (box)

The Whitecaps scored in six of the eight innings they came to the plate, including a three-spot in the bottom of the seventh that proved to be the final margin. Spenser Watkins was inefficient through five innings, allowing five runs on nine hits. Reliever Toller Boardman got the win despite coughing up the lead after Watkins departed, and Drew Smith recorded his first save of the season. Offensively, the Whitecaps were led by a big night from Leonard Laffita, who homered and scored three times. Derek Hill had a four-hit game (including two triples), and Jose Azocar drove in three runs.

Hill: 4-5, 2B, 2 3B, R, 2 RBI
Laffita: 3-4, HR, 3 R, 2 RBI, SO, SB
Azocar: 2-4, 2B, 3B, R, 3 RBI
Allen: 2-4, R, RBI, BB
Watkins: 5.0 IP, 9 H, 5 ER, BB, 2 SO

Coming up next: Eudis Idrogo (1-2, 6.75 ERA) will start West Michigan’s series finale against the Hot Rods. Michael Velasquez (2-7, 6.51 ERA) will start for Bowling Green.

Connecticut Tigers 8, Lowell Spinners 3 (box)

Blaise Salter had three hits and drove in three runs for the Tigers as they cruised to an easy win over Lowell. Salter’s two doubles were Connecticut’s only extra base hits, but the Tigers got the job done with 10 hits and seven walks on the night. Will Savage and Sam Machonis were effective at the top of the lineup, each reaching base three times. Locke St. John picked up the win for Connecticut with six strong innings, and the Tigers’ bullpen limited Lowell to an unearned run over the final three frames.

Salter: 3-5, 2 2B, 3 RBI, SO
Savage: 2-4, 3 R, RBI, BB, SO, SB
Machonis: 2-3, R, RBI, BB
St. John: 6.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R (1 ER), 3 BB, 3 SO

Coming up next: Gregory Soto (0-0, 2.35 ERA) will start for Connecticut as they continue their home series against Lowell.