Louisville Bats 5, Toledo Mud Hens 2 (box)
Matt Hall threw another fine game, and the Mud Hens had this one until the bullpen imploded in the late innings to lose the game and the series. Hall went six innings, allowing just two hits and a walk. The guys who melted down aren’t likely going to be around long, so we won’t go into it. Daz Cameron had an RBI single and a run scored, while Harold Castro had a pair of hits and drove in a run.
Cameron: 1-2, R, RBI
Hall: 6.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, BB, 3 SO
Coming up next: The Columbus Clippers come to Toledo for a three-game set starting Friday night at 7:00 p.m. ET. No starters have been announced yet.
Akron RubberDucks 3, Erie SeaWolves 2 (box)
Beau Burrows was ambushed for three runs early in this one, but hung on to go five innings. Unfortunately, the SeaWolves’ rally fell just short. Dominic Ficociello cracked a solo shot in the second inning to get them started. A Troy Montgomery RBI single in the eighth plated the SeaWolves’ second run, but that was as far as they got. Isaac Paredes had a pair of hits, including a double he absolutely smoked to left in the fourth inning.
Paredes: 2-4, 2B
Lester: 1-4, R, BB, 2 SO
Burrows (L): 5.0 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, BB, 5 SO
Coming up next: Alex Faedo gets the ball on Friday night as the SeaWolves head to Bowie to take on Keegan Akin and the Baysox.
Daytona Tortugas 3, Lakeland Flying Tigers 1 (box)
Matt Manning is learning about the ace’s dilemma. Once again, he allowed a pair of early home runs, but was otherwise dominant. And once again, he got no run support. Manning struck out 10 on the night, allowing five hits and walking a pair. He was still hitting 95-96 with the fastball at the end of his outing, topping out at 98 miles per hour overall.
As his season winds down, there isn’t really much more one could ask of Manning’s 2018 campaign. His command took a major leap this year, and another one will be required to get him close to the majors. The split change also needs to continue to develop. But all in all, it has been a very impressive year that should see Manning rising higher on top 100 lists next spring. The jump to Double-A Erie probably won’t have to wait long in 2019. The Flying Tigers offense mustered just four hits, with Brock Deatherage driving in Luke Burch for the Flygers only run.
Seeing Tigers High-A RHP Matt Manning tonight: 94-96, touched a few 98s, trouble w/command & consistency, especially w/changeup but got a couple curveballs just right that were a 65, maybe 70. Command still needs work to effectively be up in the zone so much; 2 HR, 8 K thru 4 IP.
— Kiley McDaniel (@kileymcd) August 24, 2018
Deatherage: 1-3, RBI, 2 SO
Manning (L): 6.0 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 10 SO
Coming up next: The Flying Tigers are on the road this weekend to battle the Florida Fire Frogs. Anthony Castro will duel Connor Johnstone on Friday night at 6:31 p.m. ET. Cute.
West Michigan Whitecaps 5, Dayton Dragons 4 (box)
The ‘Caps built an early lead, then hung on through a back and forth affair, ultimately walking off the Dragons in 10 innings on Thursday. Wilkel Hernandez showcased a very nice fastball again, but struggled at times, lasting just 4 2⁄3 innings after surrendering two runs. Wenceel Perez had a big night at the plate, racking up three singles total and scoring twice. Rey Rivera had a pair of hits, including a double, and drove in three, including the deciding run in the the 10th inning. With the score knotted at four, Wenceel Perez bunted for a single to move John Valente to third. Rey Rivera slapped a single to center field to plate Valente and the party was on.
Perez: 3-5, 2 R, SO
Rivera: 2-5, 2B, 3 RBI
Hernandez: 4.2 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 SO
Coming up next: The Whitecaps welcome in the Great Lakes Loons on Friday for a weekend set.
Wenceel rhymes with pencil
If you’re curious about all the love Wenceel Perez has been getting, but haven’t seen him in action... well, he didn’t play last night when our own Jay Markle was on the scene. This batting practice footage will have to tide you over.
Connecticut Tigers 7, Brooklyn Cyclones 2 (box)
The Cyclones got to Tigers starter Carlos Guzman for a couple of early runs, but the Connecticut offense was up to the challenge. Alexis Garcia opened the Tigers scoring with a solo shot in the first inning. After the Cyclones tied things up, a Jose King RBI double kicked off a two-run third inning, and the Tigers came back for two more in the fourth. This time, another King double plated two runs. Juan Aguilera relieved Guzman after three innings, and dominated the Cyclones through the seventh, allowing just one hit and punching out four. The Tigers scored two more in the top of the ninth to put this one on ice.
King: 3-4, R, 2 2B, 3 RBI, SO
Garcia: 1-3, HR, R, 2 RBI, BB, SO
Aguilera (W): 3.0 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, BB, 3 SO
Coming up next: Stevie Ledesma gets the call for the Tigers on Friday. The Cyclones counter with Christian James.