Tigers prospects Matt Manning, Kody Clemens brought fireworks on Independence Day

Columbus Clippers 5, Toledo Mud Hens 4 (box)

Phillipe Aumont actually did pretty well considering he’s not a starter. Aumont got cracked for three runs right out of the gate, but settled down to give the Hens five innings with seven strikeouts. For the offense, it was the Jacob Robson show again. The red-hot center fielder singled home Mike Gerber in the second inning, and cranked a two-run shot in the fourth to give the Hens a temporary lead. Gerber sandwiched an RBI triple between Robson’s outbursts in the third inning. Zac Houston gave up the go-ahead run in the eighth inning, and the Hens were out of gas.

Robson: 2-5, 2B, HR, R, 3 RBI, SO
Gerber: 2-4, 3B, R, RBI, SO
Aumont: 5.0 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 7 SO

Coming up next: The Hens send Tyler Alexander to the mound on Thursday to face the Clipper’s Michael Peoples.

Binghamton Rumble Ponies 7, Erie SeaWolves 5 (box)

Beau Burrows started out solidly but was ultimately tagged for five runs. When the smoke cleared in the fourth inning, the Ponies had plated five in the frame to take a 6-3 lead. Sergio Alcantara and Josh Lester came through with RBI singles in the fifth inning, but the rally fell short. Alcantara also tripled in the contest, as did Daz Cameron.

Gibson: 2-4, 2B, R
Alcantara: 2-3, 3B, 2 R, RBI, BB
Burrows (L): 3.1 IP, 5 H, 5 ER, 3 BB, 4 SO

Coming up next: Alex Faedo will make his second start at the Double-A level after showing out in his debut last week.

Lakeland Flying Tigers 6, Jupiter Hammerheads 0 (box)

Matt Manning’s High-A debut came off without a hitch on Independence Day. Manning dominated the Hammerheads, punching out nine batters and blanking them for five innings of work. The lone hit came of the infield variety in the fifth, while Manning also issued two walks. There were some long plate appearances and plenty of fouls and deep counts, so Manning was over 90 pitches and done for the day after the fifth.

Meanwhile the Flying Tigers’ bats were scratching out some early runs. They scored four in the first three innings, capped by an Isaac Paredes solo shot in the third. They would get two more, but Eudis Idrogo had things under control anyway, blanking the Hammerheads for four innings of relief.

Paredes: 1-3, 2B, R, RBI, BB
Burch: 1-3, 2B, R, RBI
Manning (W): 5.0 IP, H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 9 SO

Coming up next: The Hammerheads and Flying Tigers are set for 6:30 p.m. ET on Thursday. Starters are still TBA.

West Michigan Whitecaps 7, Lansing Lugnuts 3 (box)

Two recent Tigers draft picks erupted at the plate and powered the Whitecaps over the Lugnuts in Lansing for Independence Day. Brock Deatherage went 5-for-5 with a triple, while third round selection Kody Clemens crushed a pair of solo jacks. Rey Rivera also homered, as the Whitecaps trounced the Lugs pitching staff. Elvin Rodriguez didn’t strike many out, but gave the Whitecaps six innings of three-run ball, and they didn’t need any more. Clate Schmidt picked up a three-inning save with three strikeouts.

Deatherage: 5-5, 3B, 2 R, RBI
Clemens: 2-5, 2 HR, 2 R, 2 RBI
Rivera: 2-4, HR, R, 3 RBI
Rodriguez: 6.0 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO

Coming up next: Jesus Rodriguez will toss for the ‘Caps, while the Lugnuts oppose him with Andrew Deramo on Thursday evening.

Lowell Spinners 7, Connecticut Tigers 4 (F/10) (box)

Gio Arriera was outstanding in this one, but the Tigers offense just couldn’t pull away and eventually fell in 10 innings. Arriera mesmerized the Spinners, punching out 12 hitters in seven innings of work. He scattered three runs on six hits, with two walks. The Tigers offense was spread out, as Sam McMillan had a double and an RBI, while Ulrich Bojarski singled, walked, and scored two runs.

McMillan: 1-4, 2B, RBI, BB, SO
Garcia: 1-3, 3B, R, RBI, 2 BB, SO
Arriera: 7.0 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 12 SO

Coming up next: The Spinners and Tigers do battle at 7:05 p.m. ET on Thirsty Thursday at Dodd Stadium. Take it easy out there.