Happy Sunday to everyone! As mentioned earlier this year, my name is Nick D and I will be covering the minor leagues for DTW. I’m going to try to post updates daily including noteworty performers from the previous games. If there’s anything you’d like to have researched or written about, please let me know and I will oblige. One formatting note -I am going to include, parenthetically, the MLB club associated with Tigers minor league opponents so you, the reader, can see how our propsects are stacking up against other farm systems.
West Michigan was postponed by rain
(A) Lakeland 1, Tampa 2 (Yankees)
Lakeland looked offensively sluggish. The only run came off a 4th inning HR by Brent Wyatt (LF). Also encouraging was a 2-4 performance by Julio Rodriguez (C). Impressively, Rodriguez is hitting .400 through the young season. 21 year-old Cole Nelson took the loss for Lakeland, although he went 6 innings giving up 2 ER on 7 hits. I did like that he K’ed 6 while only walking 1.
(AA) Erie 2, Altoona 6 (Pirates)
The starter, Luke Putkonen, went 5 decent innings allowing 1 ER on 3 hits. He only struck out 2 while walking the same. After he handed the ball to the bullpen (Waite and Little on this night) the SeaWolves gave up 11 more hits and 5 ER.
Brandon Douglas (2B) and Rawley Bishop (1B) collected 1 RBI each.
(AAA) Toledo 1, Louisville 2 (Reds)
Charlie Furbush (LHP) went 5 1/3 for the Mud Hens giving up 2 ER on 5 hits. He struck out 6 and didn’t walk a batter. Furbush allowed the two runs on a Lemony Snickets series of unfortunate events in the bottom first. A single turned into a runner on third after a SB and a throw to first to complete a K. That runner then scored on a WP. Next, a single again turned into a RISP after a steal. That man was then scored. After the 1st, Furbush didn’t allow a runner to get to 2nd base.
No one from the Mud Hens had a noteworty night – scattering 6 hits across 6 different players. I will point out, however, that Andy Dirks (LF) is hitting .462/.769/1.231 through the season so far.