Tigers Minor League Recap – 6/10

Toledo Mud Hens (Triple-A)

Final: St. Paul 1 – Toledo 12

Top Performer(s):

Ben Malgeri, RF – 2-for-4, R, RBI, HR

Trei Cruz, SS/2B – 3-for-4, 2B, 3B

Justin Verlander (REHAB) – 5.2 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 3K, Loss

Kenley Jansen (REHAB) – 0.2 IP, 2 H, 3 ER, BB, K

Game notes:

Not too often do two future hall of famers play in the same minor league game while the fans know they’re on their way to Cooperstown. Justin Verlander and Kenley Jansen were the hot ticket in Toledo last night, following a 12-4 victory against the Saints. Verlander, a career fly ball pitcher, surrendered five hits, with four of them being big flies. His fastball reached 95.5 MPH, encouraging news as he gears to start his second game for Detroit since 2017. Kenley Jansen is also rehabbing from right groin tightness, he struggled on the mound. Just getting two outs across three earned runs, giving up two hits and walked a batter, although infield confusion didn’t help. The bats went completely silent other than a Ben Malegri solo home run in the sixth and Trei Cruz completing 3/4 of the cycle. The Mud Hens are now two games under .500 as they aim to even up the series tomorrow.

Tomorrow’s projected starters: Austin Voth (1-2, 3.28 ERA) vs Sawyer Gipson-Long (2-3, 5.02 ERA)

Erie SeaWolves (Double-A)

Final: Akron 6  – Erie 8

Top Performer(s):

Seth Stephenson, CF – 3-for-5, R, 2B, SB

Brett Callahan, RF – 1-for-3, R, RBI, HR, BB

Justice Bigbie, DH – 2-for-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, HR

Chris Meyers, LF – 2-for-4, 2 R, SB

E.J. Exposito, 2B – 1-for-3, R, 2 RBI, 2B, BB

Carlos Pena – 5 IP, 5 H, 6 ER, 2 K

Dariel Fregio – 2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 2 K, Win

Tyler Owens – 2 IP, H, 0 ER, 3 K, Save

Game notes:

Carlos Pena and the Erie SeaWolves took on the Akron Ducks this evening. Runs were scored early on by Akron, scoring four in the third inning, and one in the fourth and fifth innings. Erie reentered the bal game with a three spot in the fourth followed by three more runs in the sixth that ended up being the last rebuttal from any team. Tony Cappuccilli was able to squeeze out five innings out of Carlos Pena, despite giving up six runs, which saves the bullpen a ton. Justice Bigbie hit his second home run of the season in the second, a solo shot. Brett Callahan, who has been hot in the month of June, delivered with a solo shot of his own in the fifth. Tyler Owens shut down the door with a six-out save to put the SeaWolves one game above .500 at 30-29.

Tomorrow’s projected starters: Dylan DeLucia (1-3, 5.36 ERA) vs Sean Hunley (1-4, 6.46 ERA)

West Michigan Whitecaps (High-A)

Final: West Michigan 8 – Lake County 4

Top Performer(s):

Jackson Strong, CF – 2-for-3, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2B, HR, SB, 2 BB

Garrett Pennington, LF – 1-for-4, R, 3 RBI, HR, BB

Caleb Sphur, RF – 2-for-4, R, RBI, SB

Ben Jacobs – 4 IP, 2 H, ER, 4 BB, 6 K

Zach Lee – 2 IP, H, 0 ER, 2 K, Win

Game notes:

West Michigan may be having a down year but that doesn’t prevent a constant tit-for-tat battle with Lake County. The Whitecaps took two steps forward whilst taking one step back all game until nine innings were played. Emerging Tigers prospect Ben Jacobs bounces back from back-to-back three earned run starts. His four innings of one-run ball while letting the offense manufacture runs was a major factor of the Whitecaps victory. Although successful in the end, Jacobs’ control issues consist, only throwing 55% strikes and walking a batter an inning. The Whitecaps widened the walls in the seventh with a three-run blast from Garrett Pennington, his 10th long ball of the year. Jackson Strong added on with a 2-run home-run of his own in the 9th. The Whitecaps even the series one a piece.

Tomorrow’s projected starters: Lucas Elissalt (0-4, 5.13 ERA) vs Rafe Schlesinger (3-2, 4.40 ERA)

Lakeland Flying Tigers (Single-A)

Final: Lakeland 10 – Clearwater 1

Top Performer(s):

Jordan Yost, SS – 2-for-5, R, 3 RBI, 2B, HR, BB

Edian Espinal, C – 2-for-3, R, RBI, 2B

Jack Goodman, 2B – 2-for-5, 2 R, RBI

Anibal Salas, RF – 2-for-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2B

Cash Kuiper – 5 IP, 3 H, ER, BB, 2 K

Andrew Pogue – 2 IP, H, 0 ER, BB, K

Game notes:

Lakeland whooped Clearwater in a game that included a 47 minute rain delay. Cash Kuiper excelled on the hill for the Flying Tigers, a nice look back to his seven strike out performance against Bradenton three weeks ago. Cash Kuiper recorded eight whiffs, while inducing weak contact. In other big news, Jordan Yost hit his first professional home run. He pulled an inside sinker to right field with an exit velocity of 101.2 MPH to a distance of 384 FT. This capped off a 10-1 victory for Lakeland to even their record to 29-29.

Tomorrow’s projected starters: Malachi Witherspoon (2-2, 5.94 ERA) vs Cade Obermueller (0-0, 3.00 ERA)

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