Tigers’ J.D. Martinez collects 2 hits in rehab appearance for Mud Hens

Toledo Mud Hens 6, Gwinnett Braves 0 (box)

The Mud Hens scored three runs in the fourth, then added a three-spot on the Braves in the seventh to take an easy win over Gwinnett. Matt Crouse threw seven shutout innings for Toledo, allowing just two hits and three walks. J.D. Martinez doubled, stole a base, and scored a run, and Toledo’s 7-9 hitters had all five RBI. Dixon Machado reached base three times and drove in two. With the win, Crouse lowered his ERA to 2.78 on the season.

Martinez: 2-5, 2B, R, 2 SO, SB
Machado: 2-3, 2B, R, 2 RBI, BB
McGehee: 2-5, 2B, R
Crouse (W): 7.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 2 SO

Coming up next: Thad Weber (7-9, 4.21 ERA) will start for the Mud Hens as they go for a sweep of the Braves on Sunday evening. Chris Ellis (2-4, 6.61 ERA) will start for Gwinnett.

Reading Fightin’ Phils 4, Erie SeaWolves 3 (box)

The SeaWolves scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth to tie the game, but Paul Voelker allowed a run in the top of the ninth and Reading stole a 4-3 win. Erie out-hit Reading 9-8 on the game, including four doubles. Corey Jones reached base three times for the SeaWolves, and Wynton Bernard added two hits. Grayson Greiner also doubled and drove in a run for Erie. Starter Josh Turley went 7 1/3 innings, allowing three runs while striking out five.

Bernard: 2-5, 2B
Jones: 2-4, 2B, 2 R, BB, SO
Greiner: 2-4, 2B, RBI
Turley: 7.1 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 5 SO

Coming up next: The SeaWolves and Fightin’ Phils will continue their series on Sunday afternoon. Cory Riordan (4-6, 5.15 ERA) is scheduled to start for Erie.

St. Lucie Mets 6, Lakeland Flying Tigers 3 (box)

The Flying Tigers and Mets played seven scoreless innings before Lakeland broke through with three runs in the top of the eighth. Unfortunately, St. Lucie answered with six runs in the bottom of the eighth off relievers Gabe Hemmer and Gerson Moreno to take the win. The bullpen implosion spoiled Tyler Alexander’s excellent start; he held the Mets to just two hits in six innings. Zac Shepherd provided all of Lakeland’s offense with a three-run homer, his 11th of the year.

Shepherd: 1-3, HR, R, 3 RBI, 2 SO
Kivett: 1-3, R
Hinkle: 1-3, R
Alexander: 6.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 3 SO

Coming up next: The Flying Tigers will try to avoid a three-game sweep against St. Lucie on Sunday afternoon.

West Michigan Whitecaps 5, Lake County Captains 2 (box)

The Whitecaps allowed 10 hits, but held the Captains to all singles in order to escape with a 5-2 win. West Michigan scored three runs early, and Kyle Dowdy held Lake County to just one run of their own in seven strong innings. Arvicent Perez led the way offensively, collecting two hits and scoring twice. David Gonzalez drove in a pair of runs, and Cam Gibson doubled and drove in a run. Toller Boardman allowed a run in relief, but was able to shut the door.

Perez: 2-3, 2 R
Azocar: 1-3, R, RBI, SB
Gonzalez: 1-3, 2B, R, 2 RBI, 2 SO
Gibson: 1-3, 2B, RBI
Dowdy (W): 7.0 IP, 7 H, ER, BB, 9 SO

Coming up next: The Whitecaps and Captains will continue their series on Sunday afternoon. Ryan Castellanos will start for West Michigan.

Connecticut Tigers 8, Tri-City ValleyCats 2 (box)

The Tigers out-hit Tri-City 10-5, and cruised to an easy 8-2 win on Saturday. Sam Machonis had three hits for Connecticut, including a double and triple. He also drove in two runs and scored once. Joey Havrilak and Daniel Pinero had two hits apiece, and both drove in a run. Cole Bauml also reached base twice and drove in a pair. Austin Sodders threw four shutout innings with five strikeouts, and Oswaldo Castillo earned the win with 1 2/3 innings in relief.

Machonis: 3-4, 2B, 3B, R, 2 RBI, SO
Pinero: 2-3, R, RBI, BB, SO, SB
Havrilak: 2-3, 2B, R, RBI, BB
Sodders: 4.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, BB, 5 SO

Coming up next: Kyle Funkhouser (0-1, 4.50 ERA) will start for the Tigers against Brandon Bailey of the Vermont Lake Monsters on Sunday afternoon.