August 22nd Games
AAA Toledo Mud Hens – TOLEDO 6, NORFOLK 5
70-64, 2nd in West Division
AA Erie SeaWolves – ERIE 3, CONNECTICUT 2
63-70, 4th in West Division
A+ Lakeland Flying Tigers – POSTPONED; RAIN
27-31, 4th in West Division
A West Michigan Whitecaps - DAYTON 4, WEST MICHIGAN 3
28-31, 5th in Eastern Division
SS-A Oneonta Tigers – HUDSON VALLEY 10, ONEONTA 1
25-33, 2nd in Stedler Division
R GCL Tigers - CANCELLED; RAIN
23-30, 6th in North Division
R DSL Tigers - DSL TIGERS 2, DSL NATIONALS 1
29-42, t-3rd in Santo Domingo West
R VSL Tigers – END OF SEASON
24-43, 8th in VSL
Though it wasn't a pretty start for Virgil Vasquez, he did pick up his tenth win of the season, working five innings of four-run ball with just one strikeout against four walks. Four Mud Hens picked up two hits, with Max Leon contributing a triple and Freddy Guzman picking up a double as part of their two-hit nights. Guzman also stole three more bases, giving him 52 since his promotion to Toledo.
Eight of the nine 'Wolves players picked up a hit, with Caonobe Cosme the only player without a knock in Friday's win. Casper Wells picked up a double and drove in a run to lead the way. With errors from Ryan Roberson and Cosme, Luke French navigated the night without allowing an earned run (two unearned) in six innings. Danny Zell and Indy League cohorts Scot Drucker and Josh Kite, all were scoreless from the hill.
A sixth inning home run from Dayton third baseman Brandon Waring proved to be the deciding run, as the 'Caps fell by a 4-3 score on Friday. Chris Carlson led the West Michigan offense with a three-hit night that included two doubles. Ronnie Bourquin drove in two runs without the benefit of a hit, while Alex Avila and Chris White picked up two and three singles, respectively on the night. Jon Kibler was solid, but not his usual spectacular self, giving up three runs in just five innings of work. Paul Nardozzi struck out four and gave up one run in three innings, while Brett Jacobson worked a perfect ninth in the loss.
Doubles from Mike Gosse, Hayden Parrott, and Ben Guez weren't enough against a red hot Hudson Valley offense that put up ten runs tonight. Trevor Feeney and Mark Brackman yielded seven runs (three earned) in just six innings, and Lui Gil gave up another two runs in the eighth inning to bury the O-Tigers.
A third inning RBI from Santo Heredia drove in what would be the game winning run for the DSL Tigers earlier today; building on Elvin Soto's sixth home run of the year. The two early runs were enough to earn the win behind a brilliant performance on the mound from Marcos Nunez and Robert Diaz, who combined for eight shutout innings with eleven strikeouts. Nunez lowered his season ERA to 1.78 in the game, and Melvin Mercedez picked up his sixth save of the season despite allowing a run in the ninth.
Posted by: Mark, 8/22
August 21st Games
AAA Toledo Mud Hens – NORFOLK 7, TOLEDO 1
69-64, 2nd in West Division
AA Erie SeaWolves – ERIE 6, NEW BRITAIN 3
62-70, 4th in West Division
A+ Lakeland Flying Tigers – FORT MYERS 8, LAKELAND 1
27-31, 4th in West Division
A West Michigan Whitecaps - WEST MICHIGAN 6, DAYTON 5
28-30, 5th in Eastern Division
SS-A Oneonta Tigers – HUDSON VALLEY 3, ONEONTA 1
25-32, 2nd in Stedler Division
R GCL Tigers - TIGERS 1, BLUE JAYS 0
23-30, 6th in North Division
R DSL Tigers - PADRES 5, TIGERS 3
28-42, t-3rd in Santo Domingo West
R VSL Tigers – END OF SEASON
24-43, 8th in VSL
Yorman Bazardo continued his disappointing 2008 season, giving up six runs (five earned) in six innings of work as Toledo was beaten soundly. Timo Perez drove in Freddy Guzman for the team's lone run.
Denny Christensen turned in seven strong innings as Erie topped New Britain once again, making a late season push for .500. The 'Wolves will probably run out of games, but they're on an impressive run. Christensen gave up two runs (one earned) in seven innings, also striking out seven. Will Rhymes had four hits, a run and an RBI as the leadoff man, with James Skelton adding two hits and three RBI.
After a very good 2008 season, Jonah Nickerson is struggling to finish up the final stretch strong. Nickerson gave up five runs on ten hits in only four innings of work, putting the Flying Tigers in a big hole. Justin Justice had a solo home run for the club, while Michael Bertram added two hits and a walk.
Justin Henry ripped a single in the ninth inning that scored Cory Middleton to walk-off with a one run victory over Dayton. The hit earned the victory for Noah Krol, who was called into duty early after Wilton Garcia lost the lead - Garcia has now been responsible for eight blown saves this season. Andrew Hess turned in a strong four innings as the starter, yielding just one unearend run. Christopher White and Chris Carlson each had solo home runs, while Henry had four hits and three RBI for the night.
Matt Hoffman gave up three runs in the top of the first, and that was all Hudson Valley needed to cruise to a 3-1 victory. Hoffman took the loss, allowing two earned runs over six innings of work. Brandon Douglas, Mike Gosse and Keith Stein each had two hits apiece, with Douglas driving in the club's lone run.
In a rain-shortened game, the GCL Tigers pulled out a 1-0 victory with a run in the bottom half of the sixth inning. Alden Carrithers got the lone RBI via a bases loaded walk, which turned out to be the difference. The run got the win for Victor Larez, who tossed six shutout innings, striking out seven. Jared Gayhart pitched a scoreless seventh for the save.
Ramon Lebron took the loss for the DSL Tigers on Thursday, giving up five runs (though just three earned) in 4 1/3 innings. He also struck out five. Raynolds Guzman led the way for the offense, with two hits and two RBI.
Posted by: Wez, 8/22
August 20th Games
AAA Toledo Mud Hens – TOLEDO 8, NORFOLK 5
69-63, 2nd in West Division
AA Erie SeaWolves – ERIE 5, NEW BRITAIN 2
61-70, 4th in West Division
A+ Lakeland Flying Tigers – LAKELAND 9, FORT MYERS 7
27-30, 4th in West Division
A West Michigan Whitecaps - OFF DAY
27-30, t-4th in Eastern Division
SS-A Oneonta Tigers – ALL STAR BREAK
25-31, 2nd in Stedler Division
R GCL Tigers - GM1: TIGERS 9, YANKEES 3
GM2: YANKEES 4, TIGERS 2
22-30, 6th in North Division
R DSL Tigers - GM1: NATIONALS(2) 6, TIGERS 4
GM2: NATIONALS(2) 5, TIGERS 3
28-41, t-4th in Santo Domingo West
R VSL Tigers – END OF SEASON
24-43, 8th in VSL
The Tigers were hopeful that with some renewed confidence and improved control, Dontrelle Willis could continue to improve at AAA-Toledo, and eventually make it back to Detroit. If Wednesday night's game was any indication though, Willis is still a ways off. It wasn't all bad for Dontrelle - he gave up three earned runs in five innings and earned the victory. But he also gave up a pair of unearned runs, surrendered eight hits and walked five. Matt Rusch and Freddy Dolsi each picked up a hold for tossing a combined three innings of scoreless relief, and Francisco Cruceta got his second save. Erick Almonte and Clete Thomas each drove in two runs, with Jeff Larish adding two hits, a run and an RBI, and Dusty Ryan chipping in with two hits and two runs.
The 'Wolves' offense turned it on once they reached extra innings, earning Josh Kite his second win. Guillermo Moscoso took a no-decision but pitched very well, giving up a pair of runs on four hits in seven innings - Moscoso also struck out eight. Jeff Frazier had three hits and scored a pair of runs, with Deik Scram adding two hits and two RBI. Ryan Roberson also reached base four times with two hits and two walks.
It was a tough outing from Duane Below from the start, but the offense and bullpen came to the rescue, with the offense mounting a strong comeback, and the bullpen keeping Fort Myers in check, giving up just one run in the final six innings. Below pitched three-plus innings (but never recorded an out in the fourth), giving up six runs. Ramon Garcia and Robbie Weinhardt each pitched two shutout innings of relief, with Weinhardt picking up the win. Ryan Perry got his fourth save, but once again gave up a run. Brennan Boesch and Justin Justice each had two RBI, with Jeff Kunkel adding two hits, two runs and a run driven in.
The GCL Tigers split a doubleheader with the GCL Yankees on Wednesday, taking the first game but falling in the second. In the opener, Jade Todd tossed five innings of no-hit baseball, and while Darlin Duran gave up a few runs in relief, there was plenty of cushion to work from. Andy Dirks led the way, with four hits, three RBI and two runs. In the second game, the GCL Yankees pulled out a close game, thanks to a three run fifth inning. Richard Zumaya took the loss, falling to 0-5, giving up three runs on three hits in 4 1/3 innings. Three Tigers had multi-hit games (Dirks, Alden Carrithers, and Alexis Espinoza), but it wasn't enough to sweep the day.
The DSL Tigers dropped both games of their doubleheader with the Nationals(2) squad, falling back into a fourth place tie. In the first game, the DSL Tigers got out to an early lead, but Suriel Stephenson couldn't hold the lead he was handed. Luis Castillo and Elvin Soto each chipped in with two hits and an RBI. In the second game, Yinio Calderon took the loss, giving up three runs in just 2 1/3 innings before exiting. Vladimir Ortiz did toss 3 2/3 innings of shutout baseball in relief. Domingo Gonzales, Samuel Ortiz and Samir Rijo each drove in a run in the losing effort.
Posted by: Wez, 8/21
August 19th Games
AAA Toledo Mud Hens – TOLEDO 2, NORFOLK 1
68-63, 2nd in West Division
AA Erie SeaWolves – NEW BRITAIN 6, ERIE 5
60-70, 4th in West Division
A+ Lakeland Flying Tigers – OFF DAY
26-30, 4th in West Division
A West Michigan Whitecaps - WEST MICHIGAN 10, SOUTH BEND 9
27-30, t-4th in Eastern Division
SS-A Oneonta Tigers – ALL STAR BREAK
25-31, 2nd in Stedler Division
R GCL Tigers - PPD: RAIN
21-29, 6th in North Division
R DSL Tigers - TIGERS 3, NATIONALS(1) 1
28-39, 3rd in Santo Domingo West
R VSL Tigers – END OF SEASON
24-43, 8th in VSL
Toledo needed 11 innings to top Norfolk, but they got the go-ahead run by Clete Thomas via a walk, a stolen base, and an error that allowed Jeff Larish to reach and Thomas to score. The run picked up the win for Casey Fien, with Francisco Cruceta picking up his first save. A great start from Chris Lambert resulted in a no-decision due to the close game - Lambert gave up a run in seven innings of work with five strikeouts. Freddy Guzman had a pair of hits for the Hens, also driving in the club's lone other run.
The Erie SeaWolves' push for .500 took a hit on Tuesday, when Rudy Darrow blew his second save for Erie, allowing two runs in the bottom of the ninth to give up the lead and the game. Josh Rainwater turned in a quality start, allowing four runs (three earned) in seven-plus innings of work. James Skelton had three hits, a run and an RBI for the team, with Wilkin Ramirez adding two hits including a double, a run and another driven in.
It was a high-scoring affair in South Bend, with the 'Caps needing a pair of runs in the top half of the ninth to take the lead and secure the win. Noah Krol locked things down for his 12th save, with Brett Jacobson picking up the win in relilef. Lauren Gagnier struggled in the start, giving up six runs (four earned) in four innings of work. Five West Michigan hitters had multi-hit games, with Alex Avila leading the way with three that resulted in four runs driven in. Ronnie Bourquin chipped in with two hits, two runs and two RBI.
The DSL Tigers continue their winning ways, beating the division-leading Nationals(1) squad. Robert Diaz also walked away with a no-decision, but allowed just one run in five innings. Emmaneul Del Obre picked up the win for his three shutout innings of relief, with Melvin Mercedez snagging the save. Luis Castillo was on base all day, with two hits and two walks for the DSL Tigers. Ernesto Martes had the team's only RBI.
Posted by: Wez, 8/20
August 18th Games
AAA Toledo Mud Hens – RICHMOND 3, TOLEDO 0
67-63, 2nd in West Division
AA Erie SeaWolves – OFF DAY
60-69, 4th in West Division
A+ Lakeland Flying Tigers – CCLD: RAIN/WIND
26-30, 4th in West Division
A West Michigan Whitecaps - SOUTH BEND 3, WEST MICHIGAN 0
26-30, 5th in Eastern Division
SS-A Oneonta Tigers – ALL STAR BREAK
25-31, 2nd in Stedler Division
R GCL Tigers - BRAVES 9, TIGERS 6
21-29, 6th in North Division
R DSL Tigers - TIGERS 2, PADRES 0
27-39, 3rd in Santo Domingo West
R VSL Tigers – END OF SEASON
24-43, 8th in VSL
It wasn't the best day for Toledo, as the Hens' offense managed just three hits, while the lineup committed two errors. Anastacio Martinez pitched well but got no support. Martinez allowed three runs in seven innings of work, before receiving a perfect inning of relief from Matt Rusch. Timo Perez was the only one that could get on base for Toledo, with two hits and two walks.
Much like the Hens, the Whitecaps got shut out on the road on Monday, falling to South Bend 3-0. Mauricio Robles had an even better start than Martinez did in Toledo, giving up just one run in seven innings of work, but again, no run support meant another loss. The 'Caps offense did manage six hits, with Joseph Tucker managing two of those, but they could never put together a true scoring threat.
The GCL Tigers got some offense, but the pitching staff couldn't keep the Braves in check. Luis Angel Sanz took the loss, giving up four runs in two innings of work. The bullpen couldn't do much more, with Dario Carvajal giving up three runs, and Hayden Lackey surrendering two. The bright spot however might have been the starter, Casey Crosby who pitched one inning, giving up a hit, but yielding no runs. Derek Lehrman had a two run blast for the club, while Andy Dirks had two hits and three runs scored.
It was a rough start to the season for the DSL Tigers, but things are smoothing out, as the club picked up another win on Monday, shutting out the DSL Padres. Three Tigers' pitchers combined for the shutout, with Marcos Nunez getting the start and the victory - allowing four hits while striking out seven in six innings of work. Ramon Lebron tossed two innings, and Gil Herrera picked up the save. Raynolds Guzman had two hits and a run scored for the team.
Posted by: Wez, 8/19
August 17th Games
AAA Toledo Mud Hens – TOLEDO 6, RICHMOND 5
67-62, 2nd in West Division
AA Erie SeaWolves – CONNECTICUT 6, ERIE 3
60-69, 4th in West Division
A+ Lakeland Flying Tigers – TAMPA 4, LAKELAND 3
26-30, 4th in West Division
A West Michigan Whitecaps - WEST MICHIGAN 9, SOUTH BEND 4
26-29, 5th in Eastern Division
SS-A Oneonta Tigers – HUDSON VALLEY 3, ONEONTA 0
25-31, 2nd in Stedler Division
R GCL Tigers - OFF DAY
21-28, 6th in North Division
R DSL Tigers - OFF DAY
26-39, 3rd in Santo Domingo West
R VSL Tigers – END OF SEASON
24-43, 8th in VSL
Richmond made a push late, but Toledo was able to hold off the surge to take a 6-5 victory. It was the ninth win of the year for Virgil Vasquez, who gave up four runs in 6 2/3 innings of work. Freddi Dolsi came in to relieve him, pitching the final 2 1/3 innings to earn the save. At the plate, Erick Almonte was the star, going 3-for-5 with four RBI. Timo Perez also chipped in with three hits and two runs.
The SeaWolves couldn't complete a sweep of Connecticut on Sunday, dropping the finale. Luis Marte couldn't make it through five innings, battling his control, allowing four walks and four runs. The offense was relatively quiet, managing just five hits. Santo de Leon and Pedro Cotto each had a double and an RBI for the club.
Tampa jumped out to an early lead, and it turned out to be one that Lakealnd couldn't come back from. Derek Witt started but took a no decision - Lester Oliveros would took the loss, allowing two runs in 2 1/3 innings. One bright spot was Ramon Garcia, who pitched three shutout innings of relief. At the plate, Michael Bertram blasted a two run homer, while Cale Iorg and Louis Ott each added two hits and a run scored.
Manny Miguelez picked up his fourth victory of the year, giving up four runs in five innings of work before handing things over to Andrew Hess, who shut out South Bend over the final four innings. Joseph Tucker and Jordan Newton each had home runs, Chris Carlson had three hits and three other Whitecaps had multi-hit games.
The O-Tigers got shut out on Sunday by Hudson Valley, despite receiving strong pitching. Mark Sorensen took the loss, giving up two runs in four innings of work, while Aaron Fuhrman allowed one run in four innings of relief. The offense did manage six hits, but it wasn't enough to get any runs across the plate. Ben Guez did have two hits, including a double.
Posted by: Wez, 8/18