Toledo 6, Louisville 5 (Reds)
The Mud Hens went into the 9th trailing 5-2. With one out and the bases loaded, Scott Sizemore ripped a bases-clearing, walk-off double to left field and the Mud Hens won a thriller. It should be noted that Sizemore hit his game winner off of Louisville Bats reliever Daniel Ray Herrera (LHP) who, had not allowed an earned run in 8 previous innings of work.
Robbie Weinhardt (RHP) got the win for the Mud Hens after throwing a scoreless 9th inning. Brendan Wise also made a relief appearance and held the Bats scoreless over 2 1/3 innings. Wise has yet to allow an earned run this season in 6 games and 7.2 IP.
In addition to winning the game, Sizemore went 3-5 on the night to bring his season average up to .411. Not only has he been hitting at a Ted Williams-esque clip, Sizemore has consistently gotten on base (.500 OBP) and stolen 3 bases in 31 trips onto the base paths.
On one final note – our old friend (or nemesis) Dontrelle Willis allowed 3 runs (2 earned) over 7 innings as the starter for Louisville.
Erie: PPD – rain
Lakeland 4, Brevard County 3 (Brewers)
Toledo wasn’t the only minor league club to walk-off on Monday night. Down 2 going into the 9th Lakeland put together a rally after singles from Ryan Soares and Brent Wyatt. A past ball advanced Soares and Wyatt to 3rd and 2nd, respectively. A Daniel Fields single scored Soares to tie the game and advanced Wyatt to third. Then, a wild pitch from Jonathan Pokorny scored Wyatt from 3rd and celebration ensued.
Cole Nelson (LHP) started and pitched 5 innings. He gave up 3 runs (2 earned) on 4 hits and 4 walks. Tyler Stohr (RHP) and Michael Morrison (RHP) combined for 2 innings of scoreless relief. Nate Newman (RHP) got the win after holding the Brevard County Manatees scoreless over 2 innings while striking out 2 and walking 1.
Julio Rodriguez (C) went 2-4 with a double and 2 RBI to lead the way for the Flying Tigers.
West Michigan 1, Dayton 3 (Reds)
Although he took the loss, Antonio Cruz (LHP) looked good over 6 IP. He allowed 3 ER on 4 hits and 1 walk but struck out 5. His ERA for the year is 4.40.
Patrick Cooper (RHP) was perfect through 2 innings of relief and K’ed 2.
Robert Brantly (C) went 2-4 with a run scored. He has continued to hit and has his BA up to .390 for the season.
Sizemore can hit, but he needs to be more versatile. He should take a page from Don Kelly’s book and learn how to be an emergency catcher. His road to the mlb roster will be more difficult than Ryan Raburn’s. Sizemore will need to play some outfield and some 3rd base too.