Mud Hens cap a fantastic stretch drive with a division title

Toledo Mud Hens 10, Columbus Clippers 5 (box)

A stirring effort from the Toledo Mud Hens, and a loss by the Indianapolis Indians, boosted the Hens to a division title and a playoff berth on Sunday. Matt Hall got ambushed right out of the gate, allowing two runs in the first inning. He settled down and pitched very well the rest of the way, giving the Hens six innings of three run ball with five strikeouts. The Hens lineup quickly made it a moot point, erupting for five runs in both the third and fifth innings. Jacob Robson drilled a opposite field solo shot with one out in the third to get the party started. Daz Cameron came through with a two-run double, and Willi Castro followed with a two-run single.

The Hens led 5-2 and never looked back. In the fifth, Cameron led off with a walk, and after Willi Castro grounded out, the Hens strung together four straight singles. Josh Smoker allowed two run in relief, but he and Kevin Comer gave Zac Reininger and Zac Houston a rest, wrapping things up without any real stress.

Cameron: 1-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2B, BB, SO, SB

Robson: 3-5, 2 R, RBI, HR, SO

Hall (W): 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 5 SO

Coming up next: The Hens will get two days to rest up and prepare to welcome in the Durham Bulls for the first round of the playoffs on Wednesday night. Get your tickets now.

Erie SeaWolves 7, Akron RubberDucks 6 (box)

Beau Burrows got into trouble, but the offense came to life in the sixth and poured it on to win on Sunday. Burrows allowed a run in the first, and got into trouble in the fifth inning. Christian Binford took over, but allowed a pair of runs in 2 ¹⁄₃ innings. The offense fought back with five in the sixth, but were down a run heading into the eighth. Dominic Ficociello’s two-run double was the difference maker. Overall it was Isaac Paredes who led the offense, scoring a pair of runs with a single, two doubles , and a walk. Dominic Ficociello cashed in four baserunners , while John Schreiber picked up his 18th save.

Paredes: 3-4, 2 R, RBI, 2 2B, BB

Ficociello: 2-4, 4 RBI, 2B, BB

Burrows: 4.1 IP, 4 ER, 7 H, 3 BB, 6 SO

Coming up next: Matt Manning will start in the regular season finale, and his home debut for Erie, on Monday at 1:35pm ET against the RubberDucks.

Lakeland Flying Tigers 2, Palm Beach Cardinals 0 (box)

Alfred Gutierrez blanked the Cardinals for seven innings and the Flying Tigers won the final game of their season on Sunday. Gutierrez struck out four, scattering four hits and two walks. Drew Carlton and Eduardo Jimenez were good in relief. Kody Clemens doubled and came home on Danny Pinero’s single in the fourth for the eventual game winner. Lakeland finishes with a 72-61 record, second in the Florida State League North division, and six games back of the first place Clearwater Threshers.

Clemens: 1-3, R, 2B, BB, SB

Gutierrez (W): 7.0 IP, 4 H, 2 BB, 4 SO

West Michigan Whitecaps 2, Fort Wayne TinCaps 1 (box)

Elvin Rodriguez came through with a big start to lead the Caps within one win of glory. He allowed an unearned run on three hits, a walk and four strikeouts. Dylan Stock was great with 3 ¹⁄₃ innings of scoreless relief, and Billy Lescher came on with one out in the ninth to pick another save. Brady Policelli’s RBI single plated Rey Rivera in the fifth for the eventual game winner.
Valente: 1-4, RBI

Perez: 1-4, SB

Rodriguez (W): 5.0 IP, R, 3 H, BB, 4 SO

Coming up next: A win on Labor Day over the TinCaps will put the Whitecaps into the postseason. First pitch is set for 2:00pm ET from Fifth Third Park.

Lowell Spinners 6, Connecticut Tigers 4 (box)

Kacey Murphy and Xavier Javier both leaked runs for the Tigers, and the offense couldn’t bring them back. Parker Meadows had a pair of hits and scored two runs. Cam Warner and Darwin Alvarado each had good days at the plate as well.

Meadows: 2-4, 2 R, 2B, SO

Alvarado: 2-4, 2 RBI, 2 SO

Javier (L): 5.0 IP, 2 R, ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 4 SO

Coming up next: The Tigers and Spinners meet up for the final game of the season at 12:35pm ET.