Anthony Castro impressive again in a SeaWolves’ loss

Toledo Mud Hens 12, Indianapolis Indians 4 (box)

The Hens bats were hot from the start, and they won easily with another strong outing from Tim Adleman. Indianapolis took an early lead with a solo shot in the top of the first inning, but the Hens roared right back, scoring five in the bottom of the frame. Willi Castro got things started with an RBI single, and the scoring ended on a Kade Scivicque two-run double to right field. It was Castro again in the second inning, lofting a sac fly that scored Jeimer Candelario and moved Christin Stewart to third, where he would eventually race home on a wild pitch to make it 7-1 Hens. Stewart had a huge game, and later cracked an opposite field three-run homer as part of a four-run sixth inning as the home team poured on the offense. Adleman tossed seven innings of three-run ball, punching out seven.

Stewart: 2-2, HR, 3 R, 3 RBI, 2 BB

Candelario: 2-3, 3 R, BB, SO

W. Castro: 3-4, 2B, R, 3 RBI, SO

Adleman (W, 7-4): 7.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 7 SO

Coming Up Next: Kyle Funkhouser (3-6, 7.50 ERA) takes the ball on Tuesday night at 6:35pm ET as the series with Indianapolis continues.

Richmond Flying Squirrels 7, Erie SeaWolves 3 (F/10)(box)

Anthony Castro produced another excellent start, proving just how deep this SeaWolves’ rotation is, but the offense couldn’t get it going on Monday. Kody Eaves got things off on the right foot with an RBI single in the top of the first. Unfortunately, Squirrels catcher Joey Bart mashed a solo shot in the bottom half of the frame to tie things up, and it was a close fought game for nine innings from that point on. Castro allowed three runs, two earned, over seven innings of work. He allowed five hits and a walk while punching out eight and again showing off a devastating slider to go with an electric fastball. The SeaWolves were down 3-2 in the top of the ninth when Josh Lester came through with some heroics. Lester turned and drove his 16th home run of the year out to right field to tie the game and force extras. Jose Fernandez eventually got hit around in the 10th inning to take the loss.

Lester: 2-3, HR, 3 R, RBI, BB

Eaves: 2-4, RBI

A. Castro: 7.0 IP, 3 R, 2 ER, 5 H, BB, 8 SO

Coming Up Next: The Bowie Baysox won on Monday to close the gap over the Western Division leading SeaWolves. Matt Manning (11-4, 2.47 ERA) will look to expand that one game lead against the Squirrels on Tuesday night at 6:35pm ET.

Lakeland Flying Tigers (idle)

The Flygers were off on Monday. Garrett Hill (5-5, 2.61 ERA) will get the start in game one of Tuesday’s doubleheader set for 5:00pm ET.

West Michigan Whitecaps 3, Lake County Captains 2 (box)

Sandel De La Cruz doesn’t get many chances to start games, but Lance Parrish and the Tigers may rethink that after Monday’s performance. De La Cruz went up against a good pitching prospect in Ethan Hankins and bested him easily. De La Cruz punched out seven hitters in just 4 ²⁄₃ innings, allowing one run. Parker Meadows got the Whitecaps started offensively with a bunt single to lead off the fourth. Sigh. Bryant Packard drew a walk and singles from Andre Lipcius and Jack Kenley each scored a run, while Wenceel Perez lofted a sacrifice fly later in the frame to make it 3-0 Whitecaps. Angel Reyes had a rocky ninth inning but hung on to earn his fifth save.

Lipcius: 1-4, R, RBI, SO, SB

Packard: 2-3, 2B, R, BB, SO

McMillan: 3-4, SB

De La Cruz: 4.2 IP, ER, 4 H, BB, 7 SO

Coming Up Next: The series continues at 7:05pm ET on Tuesday night.

Lowell Spinners 7, Connecticut Tigers 3 (box)

The Spinners jumped on Tigers’ pitching early, and the offense never really showed up. Keider Montero allowed a two-run shot in his start and wasn’t particularly sharp for the first time with Connecticut. His relievers didn’t do any better. The Tigers finally got on the board in the fourth when Jake Holton singled home Ryan Kreidler. They pushed across two more runs late but never really threatened in this one.

Kreidler: 2-4, R, BB

Holton: 2-3, R, RBI, BB

Montero (L, 2-2): 2.2 IP, 3 ER, 3 H, BB, 2 SO

Coming Up Next: The Tigers will be idle for the North-South game until Thursday when they take on the Brooklyn Cyclones in a doubleheader at home.