Matt Manning throttles Hot Rods in Whitecaps win

Toledo Mud Hens 9, Louisville Bats 6 (box)

Another rehab start, another rough go for Daniel Norris. He lasted just three innings, surrendering four earned runs. It was a microcosm of his season. Five strikeouts, four walks, one home run. However, the Mud Hens offense was having none of it. They rapped out eleven hits and drew nine walks. Jim Adduci was on base three times and scored a pair of runs. Bryan Holaday and Efren Navarro each drove in a pair. As the bullpen quieted the Bats, the Mud Hens took the lead with a three run sixth, and pulled away from there.

Candelario: 2-4, R, RBI, 2 H, SO

Ficociello: 3-5, 2 R, RBI, 2 2B

Norris: 3.0 IP, 4 ER, 5 H, HR, 4 BB, 5 SO

Coming Up Next: Artie Lewicki (4-0, 2.55 ERA) starts for the Hens on Sunday.

Erie SeaWolves 2, Akron RubberDucks 1 (box)

Spencer Turnbull continues to impress with a strong second half. The big right-hander went 6 ¹⁄₃ innings of one run ball, punching out seven RubberDucks. Kurt Spomer and Mark Ecker cleaned things up with a pair of fine relief outings. After The Ducks got on the board early, Mike Gerber tied things with a solo shot in the fourth inning. Harold Castro drove in Kody Eaves in the seventh for the deciding run.

Gerber: 1-4, R, RBI, HR, SO

Turnbull: 6.1 IP, ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 7 SO

Coming Up Next: Beau Burrows (6-3, 4.54 ERA) gets the call on Kids Crew Day at UPMC Park.

West Michigan Whitecaps 3, Bowling Green Hot Rods 0 (box)

After a couple of false starts, Matt Manning was dialed in on Saturday. The Tigers’ prize prospect tossed six innings of scoreless ball. Manning struck out six, allowing three hits. Manning was efficient with a low-90’s fastball that topped out at 95 when he needed it. There wasn’t much hard contact, and he wasn’t in any trouble until the sixth. With the bases loaded, and one out, Manning got a strike out and a lazy flyball to escape. According to Whitecaps’ pitching coach, Jorge Cordova, it’s all a matter of Manning settling down.

"If we are really honest, the first three starts were terrible," Cordova said. "I don't wanna say he was too nervous, but he was too anxious to please. There was a lot of weight on his shoulders, to show how good he can be. He had to realize he doesn't have to please people, just throw the ball over the plate, realize how good he can be. The stuff -- his fastball, curveball, changeup -- it's good, and he understood today he just needs to throw the ball over the plate. He trusted his stuff, threw every pitch with conviction."

Brandyn Sittinger and Trent Szkutnik shut out the Hot Rods for three innings of relief work. Isaac Paredes smoked a two run double in the sixth that proved to be the game winner.

Paredes: 1-4, R, 2 RBI, 2B, 2 SO

Manning (W): 6.0, 3 H, 2 BB, 6 SO

Coming Up Next: Spencer Watkins (8-2, 3.06 ERA) gets the 1:00 pm start for the Whitecaps.

Connecticut Tigers 8, Hudson Valley Renegades 3 (box)

The Tigers’ offense erupted for six runs in the fifth inning and cruised to victory on Saturday. Dylan Rose hit a solo home run, while Elys Escobar racked up three RBI to power the Tigers’ attack. Carson Lance gave the Tigers four innings of one run ball, though he didn’t record a strikeout.

Rosa: 2-3, 2 R, 2 RBI, HR, 2 BB, SO

McCain: 3-5, RBI, 2B, SO

Lance: 4.0 IP, R, 3 H

Coming Up Next: Dane Myers (0-2, 2.21 ERA) starts on Sunday Funday at Dodd Stadium.