Tigers prospect Reynaldo Rivera returns to the Whitecaps with a bang

Toledo Mud Hens 6, Louisville Bats 5 (box)

Josh Turley got rather clobbered on Saturday, surrendering five earned in just four innings of work. However, the bullpen gave the Hens five perfect innings with eight strikeouts to set up the comeback. The Hens scored four in the bottom half of the fourth to get back within one. Chad Huffman and Jarrod Saltalamacchia each had RBI hits before Ronny Rodriguez finished off the frame with a two-run shot, his first of the year. There was a similar result in the sixth, in which Huffman doubled and then rode home on a second two-run blast from Rodriguez. These timely hits proved the difference, as Victor Alcantara, Kevin Comer and Louis Coleman dominated the Bats’, well, bats, the rest of the way.

Rodriguez: 2-3, 2 HR, 2 R, 4 RBI
Huffman: 2-4, 2 2B, 2 R, RBI, SO
Turley: 4.0 IP, 6 H, 5 ER, 4 BB, 2 SO

Coming up next: Blaine Hardy looks to make it four strong starts in a row and he tackles Justin Nicolino of the Bats at 2:05 p.m. ET on Sunday.

Binghamton Rumble Ponies 6, Erie SeaWolves 2 (box)

Kyle Funkhouser wasn’t at his best on his Saturday, but he pitched well enough to win. Unfortunately the offense couldn’t get him any support. Funkhouser walked four and struck out five, allowing three runs, two of them earned. Jeff Thompson and Mark Ecker were less effective in relief. Kade Scivique and Troy Montgomery each had a pair of singles in the losing effort.

Lester: 1-3, R, BB, SO
Ficociello: 0-2, R, 2 BB
Funkhouser (L): 5.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R (2 ER), 4 BB, 5 SO

Coming up next: Binghamton sends Joseph Shaw to the mound on Scratch and Win Sunday, while the SeaWolves have yet to announce a starter for the 1:35 p.m. ET tilt.

Lakeland Flying Tigers 5, Florida Fire Frogs 2 (box)

Gregory Soto rebounded from a few recent mediocre outings with a solid one on Saturday. The walks were still in evidence, but Soto punched out six and allowed just three hits. Drew Carlton and Eduardo Jimenez each tossed two scoreless innings of relief to take it to the house. Isaac Paredes picked up a pair of RBI with a double and walked twice as well. Daz Cameron had a pair of hits, as did Jose Azocar, who also nabbed his first stolen base of the season. The Flying Tigers moved to 11-12 on the year with the win.

Athmann: 3-4, 2B, R
Paredes: 1-2, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 BB
Soto (W): 5.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 4 BB, 6 SO

Coming up next: Alex Faedo will battle Joey Wentz of the Frogs on Sunday Brunch Day. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m. ET.

Lansing Lugnuts 13, West Michigan Whitecaps 5 (box)

The Whitecaps’ pitching took a nasty beating in this one. Starter Brad Bass was clubbed for seven runs in three innings, including a pair of home runs, and it didn’t get better from there. The only bright spot was 2017 second round pick Reynaldo Rivera, who cracked his first home run of the season in just his third game back. Rivera also doubled, giving him three already, and he also drew a walk in this one. Catcher Joey Morgan hit a solo shot as well, driving in a pair on the day.

Rivera: 2-4, 2B, HR, 2 R, RBI, BB
Morgan: 2-4, HR, R, 2 RBI, BB
Bass (L): 3.0 IP, 7 H, 7 ER, 3 BB, 3 SO

Coming up next: The Whitecaps and Lugnuts will lock horns for a doubleheader on Sunday. Eudis Idrogo takes on Yennsy Diaz in game one, while starters are yet to be announced for the nightcap.