Tigers prospects Mike Gerber, Christin Stewart power Erie SeaWolves to victory

Toledo Mud Hens 6, Indianapolis Indians 5 (F/10) (box)

The Mud Hens had to claw their way back in this one after Drew VerHagen’s start came apart in the fifth and sixth innings. VerHagen surrendered five earned runs, battling with his control as he walked five and gave up eight hits in total. Joe Jimenez came on to shut down the Indians’ momentum in the sixth and struck out three in the seventh. At that point, the offense got to work. An Alex Presley lead-off walk was followed by key hits from JaCoby Jones and John Hicks, with the Mud Hens knotting the score at five. In the bottom of the 10th, Alex Presley was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to force home James Loney for the game winner.

Jones: 2-3, 2 R, 2 2B, BB
Hicks: 2-5, 2 RBI, 2B, SO
VerHagen: 5.2 IP, 5 ER, 8 H, HR, 5 BB
Leon (S, 7): 1.0 IP, SO

Coming Up Next: Buck Farmer (0-1, 2.51 ERA) gets the call on Thursday in the rubber game of series.

Erie SeaWolves 11, Bowie Baysox 9 (box)

Mike Gerber and Christin Stewart powered the SeaWolves to victory in a wild one on Wednesday. Starter Matt Crouse was hit hard early in this one, giving up six earned runs in just three innings of work. The bullpen continued to leak runs, but a monster seventh inning, in which the SeaWolves sent 10 men to the plate and scored six runs, proved decisive.

Gerber: 4-5, 3 R, RBI, 2 2B, BB
Stewart: 2-5, 3 RBI, 2 2B, BB, SO
Ficociello: 2-5, R, RBI, BB, 2 SO
Alaniz (S, 1): 1.0 IP, BB, 2 SO

Coming Up Next: Anthony Vasquez (2-1, 2.70 ERA) welcomes the Trenton Thunder into UPMC Park on Thursday night to kick off a five game weekend series including a double-header on Friday.

Charlotte Stone Crabs 6, Lakeland Flying Tigers 5 (box)

The Flying Tigers managed to convert 10 singles into five runs on Wednesday, but the bullpen faltered late to give this one away. Starter Spenser Watkins held on through five innings, giving up four runs. Waldis Joaquin was unable to hold the lead in the eighth and took the blown save.

Kivett: 1-5, 2 R, 2 SB
Allen: 2-4, R, 2 RBI
Watkins: 5.0 IP, 5 R, 4 ER, 7 H, 6 SO

Coming Up Next: Spencer Turnbull (2-1, 4.01 ERA) will look to avoid a four game sweep by the Stone Crabs on Thursday.

West Michigan Whitecaps 3, Clinton LumberKings 2 (box)

Eudis Idrogo was superb again on Wednesday. The lefty punched out six and gave the Whitecaps seven strong innings to get the win. Third baseman Josh Lester’s two-run shot in the second inning was the decisive blow in this one. Jason Foley nailed down the final two innings in perfect fashion, with three strikeouts, to convert his second save of the season.

Lester: 1-3, R, 2 RBI, HR
Gibson: 2-3, 2 H, 2B, BB
Pinero: 2-3, RBI, 3B
Idrogo (W, 2-1): 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 6 SO

Coming Up Next: Anthony Gutierrez (2-1, 4.67 ERA) gets the starting assignment on Thursday night in the rubber game of this three game set.