Tigers prospects Kyle Funkhouser, Anthony Castro toss shutouts in doubleheader sweeps

Gwinnett Braves 5, Toledo Mud Hens 4 (box)

Arcenio Leon imploded in the ninth inning, coughing up four runs on three hits and two walks before being pulled from the game. The blown save cost Anibal Sanchez a chance at his first win of the season after a strong outing. Sanchez struck out seven in five innings, and allowed just one walk and one run. Offensively, the Mud Hens were paced by third baseman Michael Almanzar, who hit a pair of solo home runs. Omar Infante and Jason Krizan also drove in runs for Toledo.

Almanzar: 2-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 2 RBI
Krizan: 2-4, 2B, R, RBI
Jones: 2-5, SO
Sanchez: 5.0 IP, 4 H, ER, BB, 7 SO

Coming up next: Anthony Vasquez (2-2, 4.78 ERA) will start for the Mud Hens as they try to avoid a sweep against the Braves on Thursday.

Erie SeaWolves 7, Binghamton Rumble Ponies 2 (box)

Grayson Greiner starred for the SeaWolves on Wednesday, hitting two three-run home runs in a big win over Binghamton. Greiner’s homers were his fourth and fifth of the season — all five have come very recently — as he has struggled to adjust to Double-A pitching. The Rumble Ponies actually out-hit Erie 8-6, but went 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position against starter Artie Lewicki and company. Lewicki picked up his fourth win of the season after 5 ²⁄₃ innings of work.

Greiner: 2-3, 2 HR, 2 R, 6 RBI
Gerber: 1-3, R, RBI, BB, SO
Lewicki (W): 5.2 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, BB, 5 SO

Coming up next: A.J. Ladwig and the SeaWolves are currently embattled in their series finale against the Rumble Ponies. A win would move Erie above .500 after a three-game sweep.

Lakeland Flying Tigers 5, Clearwater Threshers 1 (F/7) (box)

The Clearwater defense made a mess of things on Wednesday, committing four errors in the first half of their doubleheader against Lakeland. The Flying Tigers were able to score on five runs despite only collecting two RBI, both from left fielder Dustin Frailey. He and Zac Shepherd were responsible for the Flygers’ two extra base hits, both doubles. Sandy Baez worked around four walks in six innings, striking out nine.

Frailey: 2-3, 2B, 2 RBI
Shepherd: 1-3, 2B, BB, SO
Baez (W): 6.0 IP, 3 H, ER, 4 BB, 9 SO

Lakeland Flying Tigers 1, Clearwater Threshers 0 (F/7) (box)

Kyle Funkhouser went the distance in the second half of Lakeland’s doubleheader, striking out three to earn his first win with the Flying Tigers. He scattered just four hits and walked one in yet another dominant performance. Offensively, Lakeland only managed four hits of their own, but a throwing error on a stolen base attempt allowed David Gonzalez to scamper home for the game’s lone run in the sixth inning.

Gonzalez: 1-2, 2B, R, SO, SB
Shepherd: 1-3, 2 SO
Funkhouser (W): 7.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, BB, 3 SO

Coming up next: The Flying Tigers close out the first half of their season with one final game at Clearwater on Thursday. Matt Hall (4-5, 4.12 ERA) will start for Lakeland.

West Michigan Whitecaps 6, Bowling Green Hot Rods 0 (F/7) (box)

Anthony Castro tossed a seven-inning shutout for the Whitecaps, who improved to 43-22 with a doubleheader sweep of the Hot Rods. Castro scattered five hits and a walk in his outing, with five strikeouts. Danny Woodrow led the offensive charge, doubling twice while driving in three runs. Chad Sedio also added a double and scored twice.

Woodrow: 2-3, 2 2B, R, 3 RBI, BB
Salter: 1-2, RBI, BB
Sedio: 1-2, 2B, 2 R
Castro (W): 7.0 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, BB, 5 SO

West Michigan Whitecaps 6, Bowling Green Hot Rods 1 (F/7) (box)

The Whitecaps jumped out to an early 5-0 lead for starter Austin Sodders, who cruised to his seventh win of the season. Sodders struck out six in six innings of work, allowing just one run. Josh Lester and Blaise Salter each homered for West Michigan, combining for five of the team’s six RBI. Leadoff hitter Danny Woodrow doubled and plated the other run.

Gibson: 3-5, 2B, R
Salter: 2-4, 2B, HR, R, 3 RBI
Pereira: 2-4, SO, SB
Sodders (W): 6.0 IP, 4 H, ER, BB, 6 SO

Coming up next: The Whitecaps’ series finale against Bowling Green was postponed due to rain. They will head to Lansing to face the Lugnuts starting on Friday evening.