Beau Burrows shines in his Lakeland debut

Indianapolis Indians 7, Toledo Mud Hens 4 (box)

Steven Moya got his season off to a nice start, opening the scoring with a two-run shot in the first inning. Catcher John Hicks also chalked up three hits and an RBI of his own. Unfortunately, the pitching staff took it on the chin to a degree. Starter Warwick Saupold surrendered two earned runs in 4 ²⁄₃ innings of work, though he did rack up six strikeouts and left the game with a lead. It was Angel Nesbitt who really got lit up in relief, surrendering two home runs, and four earned runs, total, in the seventh inning to blow the lead and take his first loss of the season.

Moya: 2-4, HR, 2 RBI, 2 R, 1 SO, SB

Hicks: 3-3, 3B, RBI, SB

Saupold: 4.2 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, HR, 6 SO, 3 BB

Nesbitt: (BS, 1) (L, 0-1) 4 ER, 3 H, 2 HR, BB

Coming Up Next: The Mud Hens will take on the Indians in game two of a four-game road series. Buck Farmer gets the start for Toledo, while veteran Drew Hutchison gets the call for the Indians. First pitch is scheduled for 7:15 pm ET.

Lakeland Flying Tigers 2, Tampa Yankees 1 (box)

Right fielder Ross Kivett was the hero in the Flying Tigers’ opener. Kivett launched a solo shot in the top of the ninth inning to break a 1-1 tie and get his club off to a 1-0 start. The Flying Tigers didn’t need much help offensively. 2015 first round draft pick, Beau Burrows, kicked the season off well with 4 ¹⁄₃ innings of scoreless ball, picking up three strikeouts along the way. Reliever Zac Reininger gave up the Yankees’ lone run in the sixth before Santiago Garrido and Mark Ecker slammed the door, with Garrido picking up the win and Ecker his first save of the 2017 campaign.

Kivett: 2-4, 2B, HR, R, RBI, 2 SO

Burrows: 4.1 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 3 SO, 2 BB

Garrido: (W, 1-0) 2.1 IP, 3 SO

Ecker: (S, 1) 1.0 IP

Coming Up Next: The Flying Tigers will be back at it on Friday at 7:00p ET, wrapping up a two-game away series with the Tampa Yankees. A.J. Ladwig gets the ball for the Flying Tigers. The Yankees have not yet announced a starter.

The inclement weather that delayed the Tigers’ season opener was no kinder to their minor league affiliates. Both the West Michigan Whitecaps and Erie SeaWolves were forced to postpone their season openers on Thursday.

To make up for Thursday’s postponement, the Whitecaps and Cubs will play a double-header Friday night instead. The Whitecaps will send Spencer Watkins to the mound to take on the the South Bend Cubs, who haven’t yet announced a starter for game one. First pitch will take place at 5:00 pm ET from Fifth Third Park in Grand Rapids. Venezuelan left-hander, Eudis Idrogo, will start game two for the Whitecaps.

The Erie SeaWolves will host the Trenton Thunder at 6:35 pm ET from UPMC Park in Erie, Pennsylvania. Trenton will send Chance Adams to the mound against the SeaWolves, who have not yet announced a starting pitcher.