The two teams that end with the name “Tigers” were the only wins across the system (Detroit 11-6 over St. Louis) and the Flying Tigers have scored 25 runs in their first two games. Here’s the rest of the TMLR recap.
W, 13-4 (2-0)
Malachi Witherspoon stepped onto a professional mound for the first time and showed why the Tigers were excited enough to sign him. Working into the fourth inning, Witherspoon kept Tampa largely at bay, surrendering one run on an unearned tally in the bottom of the fourth after a pickoff attempt went awry — the kind of mistake every pitcher makes early, and the kind he’ll learn from. Four innings. One unearned run. Four Strikeouts.
Malachi Witherspoon pro debut. His 1st inning was a 1-2-3 inning including his first pro strikeout, throwing 96-98. pic.twitter.com/5BMkP4SyG0
— Tigers ML Report (@tigersMLreport) April 4, 2026
Then there was Tyler Owens. The Tigers’ right-hander, working through his rehab assignment, came out of the bullpen and turned in a scoreless inning while touching 96 mph.
The offense made sure neither pitcher had to sweat it. Lakeland jumped out to a 5-0 lead before Tampa could blink, manufacturing runs in waves. Carson Rucker was the engine all night, going 3-for-5 with three doubles — including back-to-back line drives to left in the ninth that put the game fully to bed. Rucker had doubles in the first and ninth innings and drove in multiple runs, the kind of performance that gives a box score a clean, satisfying arc. Javier Osorio added a double and was a nuisance on the bases, stealing third in the eighth when a catcher’s errant throw turned an ordinary steal into a run. Jesus Pinto crossed the plate twice, and Bryce Rainer scored a pair including an early one on Rucker’s first double of the night.
The Flying Tigers spread the wealth. Hao-Yu Lee drew a key walk that plated a run in the second and added a sacrifice fly in the fourth. Beau Ankeney scored in the seventh. Anibal Salas crossed in the ninth. This was a lineup that simply kept coming, inning after inning, against a Tampa staff that couldn’t get comfortable.
The only hiccup came in the seventh, when a Tampa throwing error extended what was already a decisive rally — Rucker and Ankeney both scored on a fielder’s choice that turned into a two-run play with Bryce Martin-Grudzielanek’s errant throw.
Lakeland
Jesus Pinto 0/3, 3BB, K, 3R
Bryce Rainer 1/2, 2BB, K, R
Hao-Yu Lee (rehab) 1/1, BB, R, 2RBI
Carson Rucker 2/4, 2 2B, 2BB, K, 2R, 4RBI
Jude Warwick 1/4, BB
Beau Ankeney 2/5, BB, R
Javier Osorio 2/3, 2B, K, 2R, RBI, 2SB
Malachi Witherspoon
4IP 3H ER 4K
Tyler Owens (rehab)
IP K
Jatnk Diaz
2IP 4H 2ER 2K
Rayner Castillo made his first start of the season, striking out five in four innings of work but gave up two home runs as his change was served up. Detroit native Jalen Evans made his debut for West Michigan but struggled with command, allowing a pair of walks. Stephen Hrustich led the West Michigan offense with a three-run home run.
Stephen Hrustich crushes a 3-run homer to left to get the Whitecaps on the board. pic.twitter.com/XpuDZ6KGkj
— Tigers ML Report (@tigersMLreport) April 4, 2026
West Michigan
Jackson Strong 1/4, 2B, 2K, R
Stephen Hrustich 2/3 HR, BB, 3RBI
Rayner Castillo
4IP 4H 3ER 2BB 5K
A rough night in Erie. Richmond came in and hammered SeaWolves pitching for 13 runs, with Kenny Serwa’s 0.2-inning outing allowing five earned runs setting the tone early. John Stankiewicz, Colin Fields, Yosber Sanchez, and Wandisson Charles all worked in relief to limit further damage, but the hole was simply too deep. Andrew Jenkins went 3-for-5 with three RBIs and was the brightest spot in the lineup. Charles did strikeout all four batters he faced. Right-hander Dariel Fregio takes the hill for Erie tomorrow in the rubber match.
Erie:
Seth Stephenson 2/5, 2K, R, RBI
Brett Callahan 2/4, BB, K, R
Andrew Jenkins 3/5, 3B, K, R
Izaac Pacheco 0/5, 3K
Peyton Graham 1/4, BB, 2K, R, RBI
E.J. Exposito 1/3, BB, K, R, RBI
Kenny Serwa
0.2IP 4H 5ER BB K
Yosber Sanchez
1.2IP 4H ER BB K
Andrew Jenkins slashes a 3-run triple into the right corner. Give Jenkins 6 RBIs in his first two Double-A games. pic.twitter.com/IBFNOPAevq
— Tigers ML Report (@tigersMLreport) April 4, 2026
Toledo’s offense showed enough life to make this one interesting, Ben Malgeri went 2-for-3 with a pair of hits, Cal Stevenson posted a 2-for-3 night with a home run and two RBIs, and Eduardo Valencia added a double that kept the Hens’ bats from going fully quiet. But Dylan File, just up from Erie to replace Keider Monter struggled, allowing five earned runs in 3.2 innings of work over seven hits. The bullpen, Brenan Hanifee, Tanner Rainey, and Tyler Mattison, pieced together the rest without catastrophe, but the damage was done.
Toledo
Wenceel Perez 1/4, BB, R, SB(2)
Trei Cruz 1/5 HR, 2K
Jace Jung 1/4, BB, R, RBI
Eduardo Valencia 2/4, K, RBI, SB
Ben Malgeri 2/3, BB, K, 2R, SB(2)
Cal Stevenson 2/3 HR, BB, 2RBI
Brenan Hanifee
1.1 IP 2H ER BB K
Tyler Mattison
IP H ER K
