Tigers prospect Derek Hill and the SeaWolves offense trounces Trenton

Louisville Bats 8, Toledo Mud Hens 4 (box)

The Hens quest for a 4-0 start fell short as starter Tyler Alexander and reliever Caleb Thielbar took a beating. Alexander was knocked out of the game with two outs in the fourth, surrendering four earned runs on seven hits, including a pair of Louisville home runs. The Hens mounted a two-run rally in the seventh to pull within three. Pete Kozma was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to plate one run, while Dawel Lugo scampered home on a wild pitch for the second run. The comeback ended there, though.

Lugo: 3-4, 2B, 2 R
Cameron: 1-4, R, RBI, 2 SO, SB
Alexander (L, 0-1): 3.2 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, BB, 4 SO

Coming up next: The Hens will have an off day on Monday, and get back underway Tuesday night as they welcome in the Indianapolis Indians for three games.

Erie SeaWolves 16, Trenton Thunder 5 (box)

Spencer Watkins gave the SeaWolves a decent outing on Sunday, tossing five innings of three-run ball with five punchouts. His offense didn’t need any help, however. The SeaWolves offense pounded out 17 hits and drew eight walks, mauling Thunder pitching all afternoon. The ferocious attack turned into a hit parade, and the SeaWolves marched to a 2-1 series win in their first matchup of the season.

The star of the show was Derek Hill, who has been hot in the early going, and a sight for sore eyes for those of us holding out hope of a breakout with the bat. Hill cracked a solo shot in the first inning, and finished with three hits and five RBI on the day. Shortstop Sergio Alcantara added a double and four hits, and scored five times in the game. The outcome was still somewhat in doubt until the SeaWolves scored four runs in the sixth, two more in the seventh, and then poured it on with a five-run eighth inning.

Hill: 3-5, 2B, HR, 3 R, 5 RBI, SO
Azocar: 3-5, 2B, 3B, 3 R, 2 RBI, BB, 2 SO
Paredes: 2-4, 2B, R, 2 RBI, BB
Watkins (W, 1-0): 5.0 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, BB, 5 SO

Coming up next: Erie welcomes in the Altoona Curve on Monday night with first pitch set for 6:05 p.m. ET, and yes folks, it is BUCK NIGHT. Get your dollar hot dogs, popcorn, fountain drinks and craft beers for just $1 each. Crazy.

Tampa Tarpons 3, Lakeland Flying Tigers 2 (box)

The Flygers offense had a stern test on Sunday, facing CC Sabathia in a rehab outing. Starter Jesus Rodriguez was up to the task however, outdueling the veteran with five innings of one-hit ball with six punchouts. The Flying Tigers got on the board on an RBI groundout by Daniel Reyes in the fourth that scored JaCoby Jones. Billy Lescher blew the lead in the sixth, but his teammates picked him up on an RBI single from Dylan Rosa in the seventh. Unfortunately, Will Vest blew the save, allowing a pair of Tarpons runs in the bottom of the ninth.

Clemens: 1-3, BB, SO
Rosa: 1-3, RBI, BB, SO
Rodriguez: 5.0 IP, H, 0 ER, 6 SO

Coming up next: The Clearwater Threshers visit Lakeland for three starting Monday night at 6:30 p.m. ET.

West Michigan Whitecaps 7, South Bend Cubs 3 (box)

The Whitecaps evened the score on Sunday, picking up a 7-3 victory to split their opening series with the Cubs. Starter Gio Arriera was knocked around a bit, giving up three runs in 4 ¹⁄₃ innings. His offense fought right back after Arriera surrendered all three runs in the top of the second inning. Chris Proctor bounced into a fielder’s choice to drive in Nick Ames, followed by an Avery Tuck RBI single to close the deficit to one run. It was Tuck again in the fourth with an RBI double to tie things up.

With Drew Crosby and Yaya Chentouf providing strong relief work, the offense eventually came through again with a four-run eighth inning to pull away. Wenceel Perez singled to get things going, and Nick Ames followed with a double. John Valente plated them both with a single, advanced to second on the play, and then stole third. He scored on a sac fly by Chris Proctor, and Ulrich Bojarski doubled home Avery Tuck later in the frame to complete the scoring.

Ames: 3-4, 2B, 2 R
Tuck: 3-4, 2B, R, 2 RBI
Valente: 2-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, SB
Arriera: 4.1 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 4 SO

Coming up next: Kacey Murphy gets the call for the Whitecaps as they sojurn to Lansing to take on Cobi Johnson and the Lugnuts on Monday night.