Tyler Alexander goes six strong in SeaWolves’ victory

Toledo Mud Hens 3, Columbus Clippers 2 (box)

Journeyman starter Anthony Vasquez scattered eight hits on Friday night, allowing just a pair of runs to keep the Mud Hens in good position to win. Meanwhile Jim Adduci made his presence felt with an RBI double to give the Hens a 2-0 lead in the fifth. After Vasquez allowed two in the top of the sixth, Efren Navarro reached second on an error, and rode home on a Jason Krizan RBI single, which proved the winning run. Ruben Alaniz, Joe Jimenez and Edward Mujica shut down the Clippers with three quality innings of relief to wrap this one up.

Adduci: 1-4, RBI, 2B

Jones: 1-3, BB, SO

Alaniz: 1.0, H, 3 SO

Vasquez (W): 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 8 H, 2 BB, 2 SO

Coming Up Next: Drew VerHagen (5-5, 4.64 ERA) gets the ball Saturday night for the Mud Hens.

Erie SeaWolves 8, Altoona Curve 1 (box)

Tyler Alexander’s first full season at Double-A hasn’t gone so well through three months. He showed some good signs on Friday, however, stifling the Curve with six strikeouts and zero walks across 5 ²⁄₃ innings. Alexander threw close to 70 percent strikes in this one, surrendered just a solo shot along the way. Christin Stewart and the SeaWolves middle infield of Kody Eaves and A.J. Simcox lead the way as the offense pounded out 12 hits and drew six walks. Gerson Moreno, Kurt Spomer and Bryan Garcia were solid in relief.

Stewart: 2-5, R, RBI, 2B

Eaves: 2-5, 2 R, RBI, 3B, 2 SO

Simcox: 3-4, R, RBI, 2 2B

Alexander (W): 5.2 IP, ER, 7 H, HR, 6 SO

Coming Up Next: Artie Lewicki (5-3, 3.89 ERA) takes on the Curve on Saturday night.

Lakeland Flying Tigers 3, Jupiter Hammerheads 2 (F/13) (box)

This one evolved from a 2-2 tie in the middle innings, into a 13 inning marathon in which the Flying Tigers’ bullpen won out. Relievers Paul Voelker and then Mark Ecker each pitched a pair of perfect innings in extras. In the top of the 13th, Blaise Salter singled and rode home on a Josh Lester double to provide the winning run, with Ecker getting the victory.

Lester: 2-5, RBI, 2B

Maddox: 3-4, RBI, 2 BB

Ecker (W): 2.0 IP, 4 SO

Coming Up Next: Sandy Baez (2-6, 4.83 ERA) has gotten it going after some early season injuries. He’ll take on the Hammerheads on Saturday afternoon.

Great Lakes Loons 4, West Michigan Whitecaps 3 (F/11) (box)

Gregory Soto had his swing-and-miss form on Friday. Soto punched out eight, allowing two earned runs, but showed some control issues in walking five on the night. The offense was largely held in check in this one, and the bullpen faltered late, with Jake Shull allowing the tying run, and Locke St. John taking the walkoff loss in the bottom of the 11th. Reliever Eduardo Jimenez returned from suspension to toss a clean seventh in this one.

Pinero: 2-4, R, 2B, BB

Soto: 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 5 BB, 8 SO

Coming Up Next: Spenser Watkins (4-1, 1.91 ERA) goes for the Whitecaps on Saturday night.

The Connecticut Tigers and Tri-City ValleyCats game was suspended by rain on Friday night. Matt Manning looks to continue his scoreless innings streak to begin the season on Saturday afternoon against Brooklyn.