Tigers’ Blaine Hardy dominates again with 10 strikeout performance

Toledo Mud Hens 6, Louisville Bats 1 (box)

What is happening with Blaine Hardy? Since converting to a starting role several weeks ago, the lefty has been masterful, featuring a rediscovered slider and solid changeup to go with his traditional fastball-curveball mix. The Mud Hens backed another spectacular start by him on Sunday, running their International League-best record to 15-6. Hardy mowed through the Bats, punching out 10 in seven innings of work. He allowed just five hits and one earned run. Mikie Mahtook erupted at the plate, ripping a pair of doubles as part of a four-hit game. Ronny Rodriguez, fresh off a two home run performance on Saturday, doubled and scored a run. Phillipe Aumont cleaned up the final two frames to preserve the victory.

Mahtook: 4-5, 2 2B, 2 R, RBI
Stewart: 2-4, 2B
Hardy (W): 7.0 IP, 5 H, ER, 10 SO

Coming up next: The Tigers announced on Twitter that the Chad Bell experience will once again return to Detroit (for whatever reason), so the Mud Hens will have to announce a new starter to take on Tyler Eppler and the Indianapolis Indians on Monday night.

Binghamton Rumble Ponies 6, Erie SeaWolves 4 (F/10) (box)

Tyler Alexander put together a solid start and his offense roared back before John Schreiber faltered in the ninth and 10th innings to lose in extras. Alexander allowed three earned in six innings of work with five strikeouts. Gerson Moreno and Matt Hall provided solid relief work to get it to Schreiber in the ninth with a one-run lead. Josh Lester had a double and a triple to pace the offense. Jake Rogers chipped in with three hits, while Troy Montgomery and Sergio Alcantara each had a pair of singles.

Lester: 2-5, 2B, 3B, R, RBI, SO
Rogers: 3-5, RBI, SO
Schreiber (BS, L): 2.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R (2 ER), SO

Coming up next: Erie moved to 7-14 with Sunday’s loss. They will welcome in the Bowie BaySox on Buck Night at UPMC Park on Monday evening. No starters are announced yet.

Florida Fire Frogs 4, Lakeland Flying Tigers 3 (box)

Alex Faedo wasn’t at his best on Sunday, but pitched well enough to win before his defense kicked the ball around in the third inning. He allowed a walk and a triple out of the gate, as the Frogs took an early 1-0 lead. Cam Gibson cracked a solo shot, his first of the year, in the bottom half of the frame to tie it up. The two teams ended the third inning locked up 3-3 after some costly defense for the Flygers dinged Faedo’s line. The Flygers’ offense stole four bases in this one, but couldn’t find the big hits they needed the rest of the way, despite being gifted seven walks from Frogs pitching. Joe Navilhon had a rough top of the ninth, allowing the eventual game winner.

Gibson: 1-2, HR, R, RBI, 2 BB, SB
Cameron: 1-4, R, BB, 3 SO, SB
Faedo: 6.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R (ER), 3 BB, 4 SO

Coming up next: The Flying Tigers are off Monday before heading to Clearwater for three against the Threshers. Austin Sodders will take on Connor Seabold as the Flygers look to improve on their 11-13 record thus far.

Lansing Lugnuts 1, West Michigan Whitecaps 0 (F/7) (box)

Eudis Idrogo threw a great seven inning complete game, but the offense could do nothing with the Lugnuts’ Yennsy Diaz. Idrogo struck out five on the day in taking a hard-luck loss. He threw 108 pitches, allowing five hits and two walks, allowing the game winning run in the second inning. Of the offense, we will mirror their performance and say nothing.

Idrogo (L): 7.0 IP, 5 H, ER, 2 BB, 5 SO

West Michigan Whitecaps 3, Lansing Lugnuts 2 (F/7) (box)

After losing three of the first four in this five-game weekend set with their rivals, the Whitecaps needed a win, and got it in the nightcap of a Sunday doubleheader. Dylan Stock gave up a pair of early runs for the Whitecaps, but Oswaldo Castillo threw three perfect innings of relief as the offense game back to take the lead. Second baseman Alexis Garcia had a good day, racking up two hits including a triple. Dylan Rosa added a double and an RBI, while Wladimir Pinto closed this one out for his fourth save.

Bortles: 1-2, R, BB, 2 SB
Garcia: 2-2, 3B, R, RBI
Castillo (W): 3.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 SO

Coming up next: Garett King will take on Jake Walsh and the Peoria Chiefs after a travel day to Illinois on Monday. First pitch is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday night.