Tigers Minor League Recap – 8/12

Toledo Mud Hens (Triple-A)

Final: Toledo 7 – Louisville 2

Top Performer(s):

Trei Cruz, CF – 2-for-3, 2 R, RBI, 2B, BB

Max Anderson, 2B – 3-for-5, R, 2 RBI

Josue Briceno, 1B – 1-for-5, 3 RBI, 2B

Justice Bigbie, LF – 2-for-5, R, RBI, HR

Brant Hurter (REHAB) – 1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, Win (1-0)

Andrew Sears – 4.2 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 7 K

Game notes:

The Mud Hens and the Bats picked up right where they left off yesterday in the bottom of the second inning due to nasty weather in Louisville last night. Cal Stevenson replaced Corey Julks, who was called up to Detroit in place of the injured Riley Greene. This was the first Triple-A game for Josue Briceno. With the bases loaded in the top of the third, Briceno torched a ball 113.1 MPH to unload the bases, his first Triple-A hit and double. Andrew Sears also made his debut for the Mud Hens. He recorded 12 whiffs on 34 swings, a 35% clip. His fastball topped out at 96.8 MPH, helping him strike out seven batters. Toledo was supposed to play a second game today, but a three-hour delay will postpone it to tomorrow where the Bats and the Mud Hens will partake in a double-header.

Tomorrow’s projected starters: Sawyer Gipson-Long (2-5, 5.75 ERA) vs TBD

Erie SeaWolves (Double-A)

Final: Erie 3 – Hartford 4

Top Performer(s):

Peyton Graham, SS – 1-for-4, R, RBI, HR, BB

E.J. Exposito, 2B/3B – 2-for-4, R

Luke Shliger, C – 2-for-4, R, 2 RBI, HR

Joe Miller – 3 IP, 3 H, ER, 2 BB, 4 K

Johan Simon – 2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 2 K

Game notes:

The bats in Erie stayed quiet until the eighth inning where Peyton Graham unloaded on a slider to left field, his seventh big fly of the season. In the top of the ninth, E.J. Exposito reached first via a one-out single. Luke Schliger followed up with a two-run blast to tie the game, his first career Double-A home run. The bottom of the ninth inning remained short, GJ Hill hit a lead off double and Jared Thomas drove him in with a walk-off single to give the Yard Goats the win. Erie and Hartford will be back at it tomorrow night.

Tomorrow’s projected starters: Carlos Pena (5-4, 4.30 ERA) vs Stu Flesland III (3-0, 2.09 ERA)

West Michigan Whitecaps (High-A)

Final: Lansing 5 – West Michigan 6

Top Performer(s):

Edian Espinal, C – 2-for-5, R, 2B

Beau Ankeney, 1B – 2-for-4, R, 2 RBI, HR, BB

Ben Jacobs – 4.2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 5 BB, 7 K

Moises Rodriguez – 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, BB, 1 K

Game notes:

Ben Jacobs threw a career-high, 81 pitches last week, and topped it tonight with 87 pitches. He was unhittable tonight, but continues to struggle with command, walking five batters. Moises Rodriguez came in and kept the no-hitter alive through six innings. Zack Lee relieved Rodriguez, who didn’t allow a hit in the seventh inning, but the no-no bid was broken up immediately in the top of the eighth inning, where Lansing ultimately took a 3-1 lead. Beau Ankeney, who has been raking since being called up to High-A West Michigan, tied the game in the bottom of the eighth with his fourth home run with the Whitecaps. A scoreless ninth inning led to extra innings. Daniel Bucciero hit a two-run home run in the top of the tenth to give Lansing a 5-3 lead, but the Whitecaps didn’t let their guard down. Carlos Hernandez started the inning with single to right field, followed by a double from catcher Edian Espinal. A few batters later, Samuel Gil hit a sacrifice fly to right field to walk-off the Lugnuts. The Whitecaps play at the same time tomorrow against Lansing.

Tomorrow’s projected starters: Jackson Nove (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs TBD

Lakeland Flying Tigers (Single-A)

Final: Bradenton 3 – Lakeland 12

Top Performer(s):

Jordan Yost, SS – 2-for-4, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2B, HR, BB

Chris Meyers, 1B – 1-for-3, 2 R, RBI, HR, 2 BB

Michael Oliveto, DH – 2-for-3, 2 R, 3 RBI, HR, 2 BB

Cameron Flukey – 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 K

Carlos Rodriguez – 3 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, BB, 3 ER

Game notes:

Today was a big day for Lakeland. Cameron Flukey, taken No. 22 overall back in July, made his professional debut tonight. He struggled heavily with command, throwing strikes at a 43.8% clip, and walking two batters, but he successfully did not yield a run. Flukey’s fastball did creep up to 95 MPH a few times. 2025 first round pick, Jordan Yost, hit his second home run in as many days. His big fly had an exit velocity of 88.9 MPH and somehow left the yard. Michael Oliveto, who was also a first round pick in 2025, hit his first career home run as a Flying Tiger, a 421 foot moonshot. Lakeland is back at it again tomorrow evening.

Tomorrow’s projected starters: TBD vs TBD

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