Tigers Minor League Recap – 9/2

Toledo Mud Hens (Triple-A)

Final: Indianapolis 1 – Toledo 11

Top Performer(s):

Jace Jung, 1B – 1-for-4, R, RBI, 2B, BB

James Outman, CF – 1-for-2, 2 R, 3 RBI, HR

Max Burt, SS – 2-for-4, 2 R, 4 RBI, 2B, HR, SB

Carl Edwards Jr. – 5 IP, 5 H, ER, 2 BB, 6 K, Win (5-10)

Enmanuel De Jesus – 2.1 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 5 K

Game notes:

The Indians and the Mud Hens played in extremely lopsided game today, although the game was tight until it wasn’t. Indianapolis  took the lead in the first. James Outman responded in the next inning with his first home run as a Mud Hen to tie the game. Carl Edwards Jr. had opposing batters guessing all night. Opponents whiffed on 56% of swings against Edwards’ curveball. Toledo scored runs here and there before breaking out in the bottom of the seventh with an eight run spurt. Max Burt started the inning with a groundout, followed by five straight walks and a hit-by-pitch. With the bases loaded, Burt came back up to the plate and hit a grand slam to left-center field. Indians manager Eric Patterson got the heave-ho from third base umpire Corey James because Patterson didn’t think the ball cleared the wall. Trei Cruz struck out to end a dreadful inning for Indianapolis. They scored one more in the top of the ninth before Nick Sandlin shut the door. Toledo is 64-69.

Tomorrow’s projected starters: TBD vs Jackson Wolf (2-1, 2.16 ERA)

Erie SeaWolves (Double-A)

Final: Somerset 8 – Erie 6

Top Performer(s):

Peyton Graham, SS – 2-for-4, 2 R, BB, SB

Zyhir Hope, CF – 1-for-4, R, 2 RBI, 2B, BB, SB

E.J. Exposito, DH – 1-for-4, R, 2 RBI, HR

Izaac Pacheco, 3B – 2-for-4, R, RBI, HR

Luke Schliger, C – 2-for-4, 2B

Game notes:

Erie took part in an early-scoring, back and forth affair alongside the Somerset Patriots. Starting pitcher for the SeaWolves, Max Alba got bounced in the first inning. He had trouble throwing strikes, only at a 51.6% clip. This led the Patriots to tag four runs onto his name. Tigers 2021 second round pick, Izaac Pacheco hit his 20th home run of the night with the SeaWolves, 23 on the season when factoring in his numbers in Lakeland. Zyhir Hope and E.J. Exposito helped Erie add on four runs in the bottom of the third. Hope came into this game triple-slashing .381/460/.619 since August 18th. He hit a two-run double to extend his hitting streak to seven games. Exposito later followed with game-tying two-run home run, his 23rd of the year. Unfortunately, the SeaWolves were not able to hold onto the lead despite a last ditch effort. Erie still has a comfortable lead over the second place Chesapeake Baysox.

Tomorrow’s projected starters: Dom Hamel (0-1, 5.93 ERA) vs Kenny Serwa (8-8, 4.21 ERA)

West Michigan Whitecaps (High-A)

Final: West Michigan 14 – Dayton 6

Top Performer(s):

Stephen Hrustich, RF – 1-for-4, R, 2 RBI, HR

Edian Espinal, C – 2-for-5, 2 R, RBI, 2 3B

Beau Ankeney, DH – 3-for-5, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2B

Cristian Santana, 1B – 1-for-5, 2 R, 2 RBI, HR

Juan Hernandez, 2B – 1-for-2, R, 3 RBI, HR

Carson Rucker, 3B – 1-for-4, 2 R, 3 RBI, HR, BB

Ben Jacobs – 5 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 10 K, Win (5-2)

Game notes:

Ben Jacobs took the mound, having a career night, striking out ten batters and walking none. The offense cashed in a majority of their opportunities. Only four men were left on base despite 14 runs being scored. Stephen Hrustich put the Whitecaps on the board first with a solo shot, his sixth of the season. 2025 draft picks, Edian Espinal and Beau Ankeney, added on with a triple and a double respectively. Former Crimson Tide standout and Cincinnati Reds No. 18 overall pick of this year, Justin Lebron, hit his eighth home run of the year since being drafted. Cristian Santana hit his 15th home run of the year in the sixth, a 2-run blast. Juan Hernandez came in relief of the injured Samuel Gil and then later hit a three-run shot in the top of the eighth inning. Carson Rucker hit a three-run blast of his own in the top of the ninth to pad on to the score. Cale Wetwiska will make his High-A debut tomorrow after a very successful season in Lakeland.

Tomorrow’s projected starters: Cale Wetwiska (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs JeanPierre Ortiz (5-2, 5.89 ERA)

Lakeland Flying Tigers (Single-A)

Game notes:

Tonight’s game between the Lakeland Flying Tigers and the Bradenton Marauders has been postponed due to inclement weather. It will be made up as a double-header on Friday.

Tomorrow’s projected starters: TBD vs TBD

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