Whitecaps offense erupts again to take down the Lugnuts

Indianapolis Indians 8, Toledo Mud Hens 2 (box)

The Mud Hens had to piece together a bullpen day on Monday evening. It didn’t go well. Blaine Hardy started and got knocked around for four runs in 2 ¹⁄₃ innings. Victor Alcantara, Jeff Ferrell and Bruce Rondon were also dinged up along the way, though Rondon’s runs were unearned. The Hens’ offense rapped out seven hits against former Blue Jay’s starter Drew Hutchison, but he punched out 10 over seven innings to mute any real attempts at a big rally.

Infante: 2-4, RBI, 2B

Jones: 0-5

Hardy (L): 2.1 IP, 4 ER, 4 H, 3 SO

Coming Up Next: Anthony Vasquez (2-3, 4.91 ERA) gets the call Tuesday night from Indianapolis, while the offense faces a stiff test against Tyler Glasnow.

Portland Sea Dogs 12, Erie SeaWolves 6 (box)

The Sea Dogs jumped on starter Artie Lewicki for a six-run second inning on Monday. The SeaWolves responded with a five run third--featuring a two-run shot from Grayson Greiner—to pull within one. Unfortunately reliever Kurt Spomer was knocked around in the fifth for three more runs and the Sea Dogs cruised from there. Hard throwing reliever Gerson Moreno made his Double-A debut in the sixth inning, and got one out before surrendering a solo shot that made it 10-6. Moreno did settle down and racked up four strikeouts in his two innings of work. Christin Stewart contributed a pair of doubles and three hits overall in the losing effort.

Stewart: 3-4, 2 R, 2 2B, SO

Gerber: 1-4, R, 3B

Lewicki (L): 3.0 IP, 6 ER, 7 H, SO

Coming Up Next: A.J. Ladwig (3-1, 4.17 ERA) takes the ball Tuesday night as the SeaWolves look to even this three game set.

Lakeland Flying Tigers 3, Dunedin Blue Jays 2 (box)

Josh Turley was good in his second start back from an interlude in extended spring camp. Turley struck out five, allowing just an unearned run to collect the victory. Meanwhile a Dustin Frailey single to lead off the game was followed by a two-run shot from Will Maddox to give the Flying Tigers a 2-1 lead. They manufactured their third run with a bunt single and stolen base by catcher Arvicent Perez. Frailey knocked him in to make it 3-1, and the bullpen made it hold up. Joe Navilhon struck out the side in the eighth, and Mark Ecker picked up his third save and a pair of strikeouts in the ninth.

Maddox: 3-4 R, 2 RBI, HR, BB, SO

Turley (W): 5.0 IP, R, 4 H, 5 SO

Coming Up Next: Sandy Baez (2-6, 5.59 ERA) battles Dunedin on Tuesday morning.

West Michigan Whitecaps 10, Lansing Lugnuts 1 (box)

Spenser Watkins was the beneficiary of another explosive day at the plate for the Whitecaps. Watkins went seven innings, allowing just three hits and an earned run. It wasn’t a pretty outing, but he limited contact all day. Meanwhile, Cam Gibson was the cleaner, launching a two-run shot in the sixth and racking up four RBI on the day. Anthony Pereira piled on with a three-run shot of his own in the top of the ninth as the Whitecaps cruised to victory.

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

Pereira: 1-4, R, 3 RBI, HR, BB

Watkins (W): 7.0 IP, ER, 3 H, 3 BB, 3 SO

Coming Up Next: The Whitecaps will kick back for a few days as the Midwest League plays its All-Star game on Tuesday evening.

The Detroit Tigers’ top prospect, RHP Matt Manning, had his season debut delayed by rain. The Connecticut Tigers will reboot on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. as Manning takes on the Tri-City ValleyCats.