Tigers prospects Christin Stewart, Michael Gerber power SeaWolves to win

Toledo Mud Hens 8, Columbus Clippers 1 (box)

The Mud Hens offense put on a show Thursday night in Columbus, tallying eight runs on 13 hits. Chad Huffman paved the way, going 4-for-4 with two bombs and six RBI. Alex Presley also had a big night, going 3-for-5 with a solo shot of his own. The pitching was also superb for Toledo, with Chad Bell starting and throwing six innings of shutout ball. Angel Nesbitt, who has struggled in Triple-A, closed the game out on a high note, pitching an inning and striking out a batter.

Huffman: 4-4, BB, 2B, 2 HR, 2 R, 6 RBI
Presley: 3-5, 2B, HR, RBI
Bell: 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 6 SO, BB
Guilmet: 1 IP, H, 2 SO
Nesbitt: 1 IP, H, SO

Coming up next: The Hens continue their series in Columbus, with Donn Roach (2-1, 3.09 ERA) set to toe the rubber.

Erie SeaWolves 8, Akron Rubber Ducks 7 (box)

Christin Stewart helped to power the SeaWolves over the Rubber Ducks with his third home run since being promoted to Double-A. Michael Gerber also had a big night batting out of the three-hole, getting two hits (one a double) and driving in two runs. Down by a run going into the bottom half of the fifth inning, it was Kody Eaves two-run homer that would give Erie a lead it wouldn’t relinquish. Overall the pitching wasn’t very good, but the backend of the bullpen in Joe Mantiply and Paul Voelker both shut down Akron, combining for three shutout innings with five strikeouts.

Gerber: 2-5, 2B, 2 RBI
Stewart: 1-3, BB, HR, R, 2 RBI
Mantiply: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 3 SO
Voelker: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 2 SO, 1 BB

Coming up next: The SeaWolves head to Binghamton to start a series with the Mets, and will send lefty Tyler Alexander (1-1. 3.81 ERA) to the hill.

Lakeland Flying Tigers at Tampa Yankees rained out

Idea: put a retractable roof over every baseball stadium in Florida. It would solve the heat problem, and would also be practical since you can set an alarm for the exact time it’s going to rain every single day.

Coming up next: The Flying Tigers head back to Lakeland to continue their series against the Yankees, and will send Matt Hall (3-2, 4.15 ERA) to the mound (weather-permitting).

South Bend Cubs 5, West Michigan Whitecaps 3 (box)

The Whitecaps tried to make a late inning comeback, but their efforts fell short against the Cubbies. The Whitecaps drew three straight walks to load the bases with one out in the ninth inning. Down three runs, they were able to get one back on a Jose Azocar ground out. After another walk to load the bases, Cam Gibson stepped into the box with two down. Sadly, Cam has a ways to go to catch up to his dad, as he struck out to end the game.

Pirtle: 2-2, BB, 2 2B, 2 R
Navarro: 2-4, SO
Smith: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 SO

Coming up next: 2015 first round draft pick Beau Burrows (6-4, 3.33 ERA) makes his 20th start of the season for West Michigan, and will face off against South Bend.

Connecticut Tigers vs. Lowell Spinners postponed due to “wet grounds”

Wet grounds is the actual reason given on the MiLB website for the postponement. I can only imagine it was the result of something like this.

Coming up next: Fourth round draft pick Kyle Funkhouser (0-2, 2.88 ERA) gets the ball for the Tigers, as they look to start their series against the Spinners.