Anthony Castro throws 7 shutout innings in Flying Tigers victory

Pawtucket Red Sox 10, Toledo Mud Hens 2 (box)

Starter Artie Lewicki had a nightmare of an outing on Friday night. He was mauled for eight runs and didn’t escape the third inning. Victor Alcantara and Paul Voelker were a little leaky in relief, though Phillipe Aumont was strong, ringing up three Sox in two innings of work. Dawel Lugo extended his hitting streak to eight games with another two-hit performance and also drew a walk. Mike Gerber continues to hit as well, doubling and scoring a run in this one. Otherwise this one was forgettable.

Lugo: 2-3, RBI, BB
Gerber: 1-4, 2B, R, SO
Lewicki (L): 2.2 IP, 10 H, 8 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO

Coming Up Next: A.J. Ladwig will take on former Tiger William Cuevas on Saturday, as the Hens and Sox get back at it at 5:05 p.m. ET from Fifth Third Field.

Altoona Curve 6, Erie SeaWolves 2 (box)

Spencer Turnbull’s command was terrible in this one, and the Curve blew him up in the fifth, scoring four runs. Turnbull walked five, and surrendered five earned overall. Matt Hall was strong in relief, punching out four of the 10 hitters he faced. Jacob Robson had two hits on an otherwise quiet night for the SeaWolves’ offense.

Ficociello: 1-4, RBI, 2 SO
Turnbull (L): 4.1 IP, 5 H, 5 ER, 5 BB, 3 SO

Coming Up Next: On Erie Day at UPMC Park, Kyle Funkhouser will look to rebound from a rough outing. He will duel Brandon Waddell of the Curve at 1:35 p.m. ET.

Lakeland Flying Tigers 6, Charlotte Stone Crabs 3 (box)

Through two starts, Anthony Castro is looking like a potential breakout player in the Tigers organization this season. He is rocking a 0.94 WHIP and a 0.00 ERA through two starts with just under a strikeout per inning to his credit. He owned the Stone Crabs on Friday, spinning seven innings of four-hit ball with six strikeouts and no walks. Isaac Paredes ripped a triple in this one to continue a strong start, while Daz Cameron and Jose Azocar each doubled and scored a run. Cameron also made a beautiful diving grab in center field. Cam Gibson singled, stole a base, scored a run, and picked up an RBI in this one as well. Troy Teakall struggled in relief, but this one was in the bag.

Paredes: 2-4, 3B, R, RBI, SO
Salter: 2-4, RBI
Gibson: 1-4, R, RBI, SB
Castro (W): 7.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 6 SO

Coming Up Next: Tom de Blok will look to get on track as he takes on the Stone Crabs’ Willy Ortiz on Saturday night. The 6:00 p.m. ET start will feature postgame fireworks at Publix Field.

More on Anthony Castro

We’ve been fans of Anthony Castro as a sleeper over the past year or two. Last season wasn’t quite the breakout we hoped for, but Castro continues to show improvements in his command and secondary offerings. He has also filled out a little more, and continues to hold his velocity deep into his outings with good depth and run on his two-seamer. He’s not quite on the prospect world’s radar yet, but he is looking like a better-than-average pitching prospect through two starts. There is, of course, a long way to go. If Castro could force his way to Double-A Erie this summer and hold his own, the Tiger will add another legit talent to a stockpile of well-regarded arms.

James Chipman of Tigstown (and formerly the Detroit News) is impressed with Castro’s work thus far. If you’re on Twitter, he’s a must-follow at @j_chipman.

Lansing Lugnuts 4, West Michigan Whitecaps 2 (box)

Lefty Eudis Idrogo had another fine start on Friday, but the Whitecaps fell apart behind John Hayes, who allowed four unearned runs in the seventh to blow the save and the game. Hayes had a fielding error of his own, but catcher Joey Morgan and shortstop Cole Peterson also had throwing errors in the inning to add to the damage. Dylan Rosa stole a base and had an RBI double in this one, while center fielder Garrett McCain chipped in with a two-hit night.

Rosa: 2-4, 2B, RBI, 2 SO
Morgan: 1-3, BB
Idrogo: 5.0 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, BB, 5 SO

Coming Up Next: Garret King had eight punchouts in his first outing of the year. He’ll take on Lansing’s Maverik Buffo — yeah you read that right — at 6:05 p.m. ET on Saturday evening.