Tigers prospect Reynaldo Rivera shines in Connecticut Tigers loss

Bradenton Marauders 1, Lakeland Flying Tigers 0 (box)

Austin Sodders did not allow a baserunner until the fifth inning in his High-A debut, but a rocky sixth and lack of run support ultimately handed him a loss. Sodders gave up three hits in the sixth, which scored Bradenton’s only run of the game. He finished with two strikeouts and a walk. Offensively, Lakeland had nine hits but were unable to score after going 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position. Michigan State product Cam Vieaux picked up the win for Bradenton after throwing six shutout innings.

Allen: 2-4, SO
Pankake: 2-4
Sodders (L): 6.0 IP, 3 H, ER, BB, 2 SO

Coming up next: Josh Turley (1-0, 0.00 ERA) will start for the Flying Tigers against Bradenton on Saturday.

West Michigan Whitecaps 7, Lansing Lugnuts 5 (box)

A four-run fourth inning helped the Whitecaps build a 5-2 lead that they would stretch to 7-2 before weathering a comeback attempt in the later innings. Danny Pinero led the way for West Michigan, collecting three hits and a pair of RBI. Four others drove in runs for the Whitecaps, including Cole Bauml, who had two hits of his own. Alfred Gutierrez ran into trouble in the sixth inning, and ultimately departed after allowing four runs in 5 ²⁄₃ frames.

Pinero: 3-4, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI, SO
Athmann: 2-4, 2B, R
Bauml: 2-3, 2 R, RBI, BB
Gutierrez (W): 5.2 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, BB, 5 SO

Coming up next: The Whitecaps will go for their seventh straight win — and fifth in a row over Lansing — at Fifth Third Ballpark on Saturday evening.

Aberdeen Smethings 7, Connecticut Tigers 2 (box)

Second round pick Reynaldo Rivera collected three hits, including a pair of doubles, and two RBI in a losing effort for Connecticut. Unfortunately, he didn’t get much help. The rest of the Connecticut offense only managed three more hits, and starter Jhonny Mateo was roughed up for four runs on four hits in 2 ²⁄₃ innings. Oswaldo Castillo also allowed a pair of runs in relief.

Rivera: 3-4, 2 2B, 2 RBI, SO
Martinez: 1-4, R, 3 SO
Mateo (L): 2.2 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, SO

Coming up next: The Tigers will travel to Lowell to face off against the Spinners on Saturday evening.

The Toledo Mud Hens were postponed due to rain on Friday. Their game against the Columbus Clippers has been rescheduled for August 5. Buck Farmer (2-3, 3.86 ERA) will take the mound against those same Clippers at 7:15 p.m. ET on Saturday.

The Erie SeaWolves were also postponed due to rain on Friday. Tyler Alexander (3-5, 4.98 ERA) will start for them on Saturday against Jesus Liranzo (1-3, 6.04 ERA) and the Bowie Baysox. The two teams will then play a doubleheader on Sunday to close out their series.