Tigers prospect Jake Rogers powers Erie with two home runs

Indianapolis Indians 4, Toledo Mud Hens 3 (box)

Beau Burrows’ stat line didn’t look so great Tuesday morning, as he was inefficient in this one. Burrows allowed two runs, struck out five, and was lifted with two outs in the fourth inning with 79 pitches thrown. Zac Reininger took over through the fifth and held the Indians scoreless. Unfortunately Eduardo Paredes allowed a pair of runs in the sixth that opened the Indians lead back up after the Hens had closed the deficit to one run. Then offense racked up 12 hits and five walks, but just couldn’t put together a big inning. In the end, a two-run rally in the eighth fell just short of a comeback.

Lugo: 3-5, 2B, R
Woodrow: 2-4, BB, 2 SO
Robson: 1-3, 2B, BB
Burrows (L, 0-1): 3.2 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 SO

Coming up next: Matt Hall takes the ball on Wednesday afternoon for the Hens. The Indians will send Alex McRae to the bump to oppose him. First pitch is set for 1:35 p.m. ET.

Erie SeaWolves 6, Bowie Baysox 5 (box)

The SeaWolves made it two in a row over the Baysox on Tuesday, but it took a furious comeback to get there. Starter Nick Ramirez cruised through three innings, but hit the wall in the fourth. He and reliever Spenser Watkins combined to allow a four-run inning that put the offense in a tough spot. They got the scoring started in the fourth, as Daniel Pinero forced home Derek Hill for the game’s first run. Jake Rogers then cracked his first home run of the season in the top of the fifth, briefly putting the SeaWolves up 2-0 before the pitching staff gave up the lead in the bottom of the fifth. A two-run single by Troy Montgomery in the seventh brought the SeaWolves level with Bowie, and then Rogers captured the lead with another home run, this one of the two-run variety, in the top of the ninth inning. Mark Ecker allowed a run in the bottom of the frame but ultimately picked up the win.

Rogers: 2-3, 2 HR, 3 R, 3 RBI, BB
Paredes: 2-4
Hill: 1-5, R, SO
Ramirez: 4.2 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 6 SO

Coming up next: The SeaWolves have their ace on the mound tonight as Matt Manning looks for the road series sweep. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m. ET.

Palm Beach Cardinals 5, Lakeland Flying Tigers 1 (box)

Elvin Rodriguez tossed a fine game, but the offense never got on track on Tuesday. Rodriguez spun five innings of scoreless ball with six strikeouts. Burris Warner and Max Green each allowed two runs in relief in the seventh inning after the two teams were scoreless through six. Kody Clemens tripled in this one, and picked up the only Flygers RBI in the eighth. A.J. Simcox had two singles, while Rey Rivera and Joey Morgan, off to brutal starts so far, each walked twice in the contest.

Clemens: 1-4, 3B, RBI, SO
Simcox: 2-4, SO, SB
Rodriguez: 5.0 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, BB, 6 SO

Coming up next: The rubber game of this three game set in Lakeland goes down Wednesday evening, as the Tigers’ top prospect, Casey Mize, duels the Cardinals’ Perry DellaValle.

Lansing Lugnuts 5, West Michigan Whitecaps 2 (box)

This game was deadlocked at two apiece into the seventh, when Sandel De La Cruz imploded, allowing the Lugnuts to post a three-run frame and win this one going away. Kacey Murphy gave the Whitecaps 4 ²⁄₃ innings, allowing two runs, one earned. RBI singles by John Valente in the third inning, and Avery Tuck in the fourth, plated the Caps’ two runs.

Valente: 1-4, RBI
Pearce: 1-3, R, BB
Murphy: 4.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R (1 ER), 3 BB, 4 SO

Coming up next: The Lugnuts will look for the sweep as the two teams lock up at noon in Comstock Park.