Tigers prospect Mike Gerber powers Mud Hens to series win

Toledo Mud Hens 2, Louisville Bats 1 (box)

Mike Gerber cracked a two-run shot for his second home run of the young season, and the pitching staff held strong, delivering a series victory for the Mud Hens on Sunday. Artie Lewicki struck out four to just three hits and an earned run. The Hens’ didn’t allow a walk, punching out eight. Dawel Lugo added a pair of hits to the effort, while Zac Reininger survived a pair of hits in the ninth to pick up his second save. Behold the power of the Gerbs.

Gerber: 2-4, R, 2 RBI, HR, SO
Lewicki (W): 5.1 IP, ER, 3 H, 4 SO
Hardy: 0.2 IP, SO

Coming up next: The Mud Hens head to Indianapolis to take on Austin Coley and the Indians at 7pm ET. No starter has been announced for the good guys.

Reading Fightin’ Phils 8, Erie SeaWolves 3 (box)

Kyle Funkhouser labored in this one, taking 69 pitches to get through three innings. Reports indicate that none of them were nice. Matt Hall fared even worse, surrendering five runs with the help of Jeff Thompson, who tried to bail Hall out of a jam and failed. From there, the SeaWolves were down for the count. Kenny Wilson and Herlis Rodriguez each had two-hit games, and appear to be players in the Tigers’ organization. Perhaps we’ll get to know them eventually. For now, let’s forget this one happened.

Funkhouser: 3.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, BB, 2 SO

Coming up next: Tyler Alexander will make his season debut on the road, as the SeaWolves travel to take on the Bowie Baysox. First pitch is set for 6:35pm ET with Hunter Harvey going for the Baysox.

Lakeland Flying Tigers 3, Tampa Yankees 1 (box)

Anthony Castro put together a good outing in his first start of the season. He spun 4 ²⁄₃ innings with five strikeouts against three walks, shutting out the Yankees. Spenser Watkins couldn’t hold an early one-run lead, but the Flying Tigers put together solo runs in the 8th and 9th innings to pull away. Derek Hill has two hits and an RBI, but it was Anthony Pereira who capped this one with a solo shot in the ninth inning. Eduardo Jimenez had some trouble but held on for the save.

Hill: 2-5, RBI, SO
Salter: 3-4, RBI, 3B, SO

Coming up next: The Flying Tigers welcome in the Bradenton Marauders on Monday at 6:30pm ET. Tom de Blok will duel Cam Vieaux on $1 hot dog night.

West Michigan Whitecaps 8, South Bend Cubs 7 (box)

The Whitecaps blew this one wide open with a seven run third inning but had to survive a furious Cubs rally in the late innings. Center fielder Dylan Rosa starred offensively, racking up three hits and a pair of RBI as well as scoring two runs. Shortstop Cole Peterson ran wild out of the leadoff spot, adding a pair of hits, a walk and a pair of stolen bases. They staked Garett King to a big lead, and he punched out eight, surrendering a pair of runs in his 4 ¹⁄₃ inning outing. Reliever Max Green nearly blew it in the eighth, allowing five runs, three earned before Wladimir Pinto finished the Cubs with a four-out save.

Rosa: 3-5, 2 RBI, 2 R, 2B
King: 4.1 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 8 SO
Pinto (S): 1.1 IP, 2 BB, 3 SO

Coming up next: Elvin Rodriguez and Whitecaps welcome the Great Lakes Loons into Fifth Third Ballpark on Monday at 6:35pm ET. Jesus Vargas will take the mound for the Loons.