Tigers prospect Matt Manning strikes out 10 in season debut for Whitecaps

Toledo Mud Hens 3, Scranton Wilkes/Barre RailRiders 0 (box)

Artie Lewicki was masterful in this one, in contrast to his first few outings. Lewicki allowed just three hits and three walks, punching out seven across six scoreless innings. Pete Kozma had a pair of doubles and scored a run to pace the offense, while Dawel Lugo and Jim Adduci each doubled as part of two-hit games. Paul Voelker and Louis Coleman gave the Hens three lockdown relief innings.

Lugo: 2-5, 2B, RBI
Kozma: 2-4, 2 2B, R
Lewicki: 6.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 7 SO

Coming up next: A.J. Ladwig will take on the RailRiders’ Brody Koerner on Saturday at 4:05 p.m. ET.

Binghamton Rumble Ponies 4, Erie SeaWolves 1 (box)

Spencer Turnbull struggled with his command on Friday, walking three and lasting just four innings. He allowed two runs, while Adam Ravenelle and Jeff Thompson eached leaked a run in relief. Jake Robson and Troy Montgomery each had two hits, but after scoring a run in the first inning, they were blanked the rest of the game.

Robson: 2-4, 2B, R, SO
Montgomery: 2-3, SB
Turnbull (L): 4.0 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 SO

Coming up next: Kyle Funkhouser has been a little wild in the early going. He will look to settle in as he takes on Mickey Jannis of the Rumble Ponies on Saturday at 3:05 p.m. ET.

Lakeland Flying Tigers 7, Florida Fire Frogs 1 (box)

It’s obviously very early, but Anthony Castro is on a roll. He allowed his first run of the season on Friday in his third start. Castro punched out five, allowing just three hits and a walk. Fernando Perez and Joe Navilhon were excellent in relief. Meanwhile, the offense got out to an early lead and finished strong with three runs in the eighth and one in the ninth. Isaac Paredes continued to rake, driving in two as part of a three-hit day. Blaise Salter also had three hits, while Daz Cameron doubled, walked, and scored two runs.

Paredes: 3-5, 2 RBI
Salter: 3-5, 2B, RBI, 2 SO
Castro (W): 5.0 IP, 3 H, ER, BB, 5 SO

Coming up next: Tom de Blok will take on the Fire Frogs at 4:00 p.m. ET on Saturday. He will face right-hander Bryse Wilson.

West Michigan Whitecaps 5, Great Lakes Loons 4 (box)

Matt Manning’s assignment to West Michigan was the subject of some discussion this spring, with many who watched his finish for the Whitecaps last season believing there was little left to be gained in Single-A ball. When Manning has solid control going, hitters at that level are regularly overwhelmed. The oblique strain that kept him out of action for a month made it a moot point, but one would assume the ball is now in Manning’s court. If he continues to dominate like he did Friday night, he will likely be back in Lakeland before long.

Manning topped out at 96 miles per hour and punched out 10 Loons, including nine of his first 10 faced. The Loons were finally able to put a couple balls in play in the fourth. Manning was on a short pitch count and lost his groove after the Loons’ leadoff hitter in the fourth reached on an infield single. Their next two batters reached on walks as Manning battled his command out of the stretch. A single to center plated two runs, and his night was over. Brandyn Sittinger came on and allowed his inherited runner to steal home to account for the last of three runs charged to Manning.

Dan Hasty, radio voice of the Whitecaps and friend of BYB, enjoyed Manning’s outing.

The Whitecaps got out to an early lead, but after it slipped away, they were forced to make a comeback in the eighth to win this one. Luke Burch landed the big blow, driving in Cole Peterson with a triple, and then riding home on a sacrifice fly to re-capture the lead. Brandyn Sittinger and John Hayes gave the Whitecaps good relief work to lock down the Loons after the fourth inning, with Hayes earning the save.

Burch: 2-4, 3B, 3 R, 2 RBI, SO
Peterson: 1-3, 2B, 2 R, BB, SO
Manning: 3.2 IP, 2 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 10 SO

Coming up next: Elvin Rodriguez takes on Riley Ottesen of the Loons at 2:05 p.m. ET as their weekend road series continues.