Tigers prospect Kyle Funkhouser rebounds with 9 strikeouts in Whitecaps loss

Altoona Curve 8, Erie SeaWolves 3 (box)

A sloppy first inning from the SeaWolves gave back the two-run lead they opened with in the top of the first. Starter Tyler Alexander wasn’t sharp either. He held it together through five, but was rudely greeted with back to back doubles to open the sixth. Ruben Alaniz settled things down, but the SeaWolves couldn’t mount a comeback. Mike Gerber had a double and drove in a run, but otherwise the offense was held in check.

Alexander: (L, 0-2) 5.0 IP, 5 R (3 ER), 6 H, BB, 3 SO
Stewart: 1-4, RBI, 2 SO
Gerber: 1-4, R, RBI, 2B, BB, SO

Coming Up Next: The second loss in a row drops the SeaWolves to a respectable 7-5. They will be back in action at home on Friday against the Binghamton Rumble Ponies. Artie Lewicki (1-0, 5.19 ERA) will take on Casey Delgado (0-2, 10.13 ERA).

Jupiter Hammerheads 3, Lakeland Flying Tigers 2 (box)

Kyle Dowdy racked up five strikeouts in just 2 ²⁄₃ innings, but was lifted in third while in a tight spot. Toller Boardman came out to slip the noose with a strikeout, but leaked runs by surrendering solo shots in both the fourth and fifth. The Flying Tigers’ offense remained anemic, collecting just four hits on the night. They went down in order with their final six outs, with former Tiger Daniel Schlereth getting the win for the Hammerheads. Third baseman Zac Shepherd and designated hitter Joey Pankake each doubled in the losing effort.

Boardman: (L, 0-1) 3.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, BB, 3 SO
Ecker: 1.0 IP
Pankake: 1-4, R, 2B, SO

Coming Up Next: The loss ended a four-game win streak for the Flying Tigers, but they will come home to Joker Marchant for one more with the Hammerheads on Thursday. Matt Hall (1-1, 5.40 ERA) will take the ball at 6:30 p.m. ET, with Felipe Gonzalez (1-1, 3.68 ERA) going for the Hammerheads.

Fort Wayne TinCaps 3, West Michigan Whitecaps 2 (box)

It has been a bit of a rollercoaster for the Tigers’ fourth round pick in the 2016 draft, Kyle Funkhouser. After one great start and one awful start, he bounced back with another gem on Wednesday. Funkhouser racked up nine strikeouts in 4 ²⁄₃ innings, though he allowed two runs (one earned). That gives him 20 punch-outs in just 11 ²⁄₃ innings of work so far against just three walks. Fernando Perez was very good in relief, but surrendered a run in the eighth which proved the decider. Center fielder Cam Gibson, left fielder Jacob Robson, and first baseman Blaise Salter each had multi-hit games for the Whitecaps, but the bats were otherwise silent.

Funkhouser: 4.2 IP, 2 R, ER, BB, 9 SO
Gibson: 2-4, 2 R, 3B, SO
Salter: 2-3, RBI
Robson: 3-4

Coming Up Next: The loss drops the Whitecaps to 6-7 on the year. They will send Eudis Idrogo (0-0, 1.69 ERA) against Shane Bieber (1-1, 2.53 ERA) on Thursday. The game, with first pitch set for 6:35 p.m. ET, kicks off a seven-game homestand for the Whitecaps.

The Toledo Mud Hens and Syracuse Chiefs were rained out on Wednesday. They will make it up with a day-night doubleheader on Thursday. Former Tigers prospect, Jacob Turner will go for the Chiefs in Game One. The Mud Hens starter is still to be announced.