Kyle Funkhouser cruises again but Flying Tigers go down in defeat

Scranton Wilkes-Barre Railriders 4, Toledo Mud Hens 2 (box)

The Mud Hens’ got out to a 2-1 lead early in this one, but despite punching out 10 batters on the night, William Cuevas couldn’t hold onto the lead. He allowed his second run in the sixth, followed by another inherited runner scoring off of reliever Jeff Ferrell to lose the lead. Ferrell allowed another run in the seventh, and that was all she wrote. Apart from a smattering of singles, the offense couldn’t muster a comeback. JaCoby Jones did manage a single to extend his hitting streak to nine games.

Navarro: 2-3, 2 RBI, 2B, BB, SO

Cuevas (L, 2-4): 5.1 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, BB, 10 SO

Coming Up Next: The Mud Hens haven’t announced a starter for game two of this four-game home series, set for first pitch at 7:05 p.m. ET.

Erie SeaWolves 4, Altoona Curve 3 (box)

The SeaWolves defense hamstrung starter Artie Lewicki with three errors, but Lewicki did little to help his cause. Meanwhile, Curve pitching held the offense to just one run through seven innings. They weren’t finished though. The dynamic duo of Mike Gerber and Christin Stewart jumpstarted a three-run eighth inning to take a one run lead into the ninth. Sean Donatello was up to the task, quickly putting down the Curve to earn his fourth save of the year.

Gerber: 2-3, R, BB, SO

Stewart: 2-4, R, 2B, 2 SO

Lewicki: 6.0 IP, 3 R, ER, 5 H, HR, BB, 2 SO

Ravenelle: 1.0 IP, 2 BB, 2 SO

Coming Up Next: The four-game Memorial Day weekend home series continues with game two set for 6:35 p.m. ET on Saturday. No starter has been announced for the SeaWolves yet.

Dunedin Blue Jays 3, Lakeland Flying Tigers 1 (box)

Kyle Funkhouser has leveled up with authority. The young right-hander carved up the Blue Jays, scattering six hits over six scoreless innings. He punched out nine Blue Jays without allowing a walk. Unfortunately, Anthony Gose’s second relief appearance was a rough one. Gose allowed three earned runs without a single hit falling in. Two walks and a hit by pitch filled the bases and the Flying Tigers pulled Gose in favor of Mark Ecker. Ecker proceeded to allow all three runners to score, and with the offense held in check all night, that was the ballgame.

Funkhouser: 6.0 IP, 6 H, 9 SO

Gose: 0.1 IP, 3 ER, 2 BB, HBP

Coming Up Next: Kyle Dowdy (2-3, 2.74 ERA) takes the ball on Saturday for a 6:00 p.m. ET start against the Blue Jays.

West Michigan Whitecaps 7, Dayton Dragons 5 (F/12)(box)

Austin Sodders gave the Whitecaps another good outing, but Eduardo Jimenez blew the lead in the eighth, leading to a 12 inning marathon that the offense eventually pulled out. Jacob Robson and Cole Bauml led the offense most of the game, but it was 3B Josh Lester who landed the big blow. Lester launched a grand slam in the top of the twelfth inning, providing a lead that even a sketchy final frame from Trent Szkutnik couldn’t relinquish. The victory ran the Whitecaps record to 33-14, best in the Midwest League.

Robson: 4-5, R, BB

Bauml: 2-5, R, 2 RBI, 2B, BB, SO

Sodders: 6.1 IP, ER, 5 H, 5 SO

Coming Up Next: Gregory Soto (4-0, 1.26 ERA) has been unstoppable so far for the Whitecaps. He’ll get the start Saturday evening from Dayton.