Toledo 4, Louisville 2 (Reds)

Duane Below (LHP) turned in a quality start and got the win. He threw 6 innings and allowed 2 ER on 4 hits and 3 walks while striking out 6. He has a 7-4 record with a  3.41 ERA in 15 starts. Lester Oliveros (RHP) pitched 2 scoreless innings to earn his 5^th save of the year.

Will Rhymes went 2-3 with a double and 2 RBI.  Danny Worth and Clete Thomas each added an RBI to complete the scoring. Argenis Diaz (3B) went 2-2 with 2 runs scored and a walk. In 164 ABs with Toledo, Diaz is hitting .311.

Erie 1, Richmond 10 (Giants)

Richmond scored 5 runs in the 2^nd and 3 more in the 3^rd to put this one out of reach early. Brooks Brown (RHP) took most of the damage for Erie as he gave up 9 ER in 2.1 IP. Among a platoon of relievers, Robbie Weinhardt threw one inning without allowing a hit or a walk. Since being demoted to Erie, Weinhardt has continued to struggle and has a 6.43 ERA through 6 relief appearances.

Francisco Martinez (3B) had the lone Erie RBI on 1-3 from the plate. Deik Scram (RF) went 0-4.

Lakeland 5, Clearwater 2 (Phillies)

Cole Nelson (LHP) earned his 4^th win of the year after 6 IP. He allowed 3 runs (2 earned) on 4 H and 3 BB.

Corey Jones (2B) led Lakeland with 2 RBI and went  1-4 from the plate. Daniel Fields had the kind of night Moneyball fans love: 1-2 with 2 walks and a run scored.

West Michigan 3, South Bend 0 (D-Backs)

Brian Flynn (LHP) looked terrific in his second start at WM: 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5K. In 11 1/3 IP over two starts, Flynn has allowed 3 ER, struck out 9, and walked 2. Nate Newman (RHP) threw two perfect innings to earn his first save.

Jeff Rowland (LF) doubled twice in three ABs, drew a walk, and scored one run. Luis Castillo (CF) had 2 hits in 4 ABs and scored 2 runs. Perez, Brantly, and Castellanos drove in one run each to account for WM’s runs.

Toledo 4, Louisville 5 (Reds)

Andy Oliver looked decent as the Toledo starter: 6 IP, 8 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 5 K. Brad Thomas, however, took the loss after giving up an ER on 3 hits and 2 walks over 2 innings.

Danny Worth and Clete Thomas each hit solo homers. Max St. Pierre (C) went 2-4 with a  double. Ryan Strieby (1B) had two doubles in 4 AB’s with a run scored and a RBI.

Erie 0, Richmond 8 (Giants)

Ramon Garcia and Jared Gayhart combined to give up all 8 runs (all earned) in 7 innings. Garcia lost to drop his record to 2-3. On the bright side, Luis Marte (RHP) struck out 2 in a perfect 8^th.

As you probably predicted, there was no offensive standout to speak of. However, there was one shaggy-haired exception – Rawley Bishop (1B)  went 2-3 with a walk.

Lakeland v. Brevard County: PPd – rain

West Michigan 2, South Bend 1 (Diamondbacks)

Alex Burgos (LHP) started and lasted 6 2/3. During that span, he allowed just one ER on 4 hits with no walks while striking out 6. Bruce Rondon (RHP) recorded save number 12 after striking out the side in the 9^th.

Nick Castellanos (3B) went 2-4 with a double and a run scored. James Robbins (1B) went 1-4 with a double, a run scored, and a RBI while striking out 3 times. Moya had the other RBI on a 1-3 night.

Toledo 0, Columbus 6 (Indians)

Enrique Gonzalez (RHP) lasted 4 2/3 innings while giving up 3 hits and 5 walks which lead to 4 ER. Gagnier and Ortega each gave up an ER.

Clete Thomas  and Ryan Strieby each had 2 hits to lead an otherwise anemic Toledo offense. Argenis Diaz (3B) is the only Mud Hen currently hitting over .300 with a .302 average. He went 1-4.

Erie 3, Reading 10 (Phillies)

Reading exploded for 7 runs in the 4^th to put this one out of reach early. The Erie starter, Mark Sorensen (RHP) gave up 9 ER on 9 hits and 2 walks in 5 innings. Simons allowed one more ER in 2 innings of work and  Robbie Weinhardt threw a two-hit 9^th inning to wrap it up.

Gustavo Nunez had the top night offensively. The switch-hitting SS went 2-4 with a homer, 2 RBI, and 2 runs scored. After hitting .304 with Lakeland, Nunez was promoted to Erie and played his first game June 20^th. Since then, in 4 games and 17 ABs, he’s hitting .294 with a home run and 3 RBI. Despite a relatively consistent, good,  batting average at Lakeland, Nunez had a somewhat pedestrian OBP of .368.  Nunez needs to improve his plate discipline before continuing the rise through the ranks – he’s walked 25 times while striking out in 43 attempts, in 277 plate appearances.

Lakeland 2, Brevard County 4 (Brewers)

Trevor Feeney (RHP) was the losing pitcher. He went 5 innings and gave up 4 ER on 8 hits. Zach Samuels (LHP) held Brevard scoreless through 3 innings of work while K’ing 3. On the year, Samuels has a 2.03 ERA between Erie and Lakeland. In 13 games and 23 2/3 innings at Lakeland Samuels has struck out more batters than he has allowed hits + walks (21 K’s – 17 hits and 2 walks).

Plagman and Rodriguez each went 3-4 with no RBI. Gaynor and Garcia had one RBI each.

Toledo 3, Columbus 4 (Indians)

Duane “look out” Below (LHP) was the losing pitcher after allowing all 4 Columbus runs on 7 hits and a walk over 6 IP.  Brad Thomas threw 2 scoreless innings of relief and has allowed just one run in 6 innings of relief while at Toledo.

For the good news of the night, Inge went 2-4 with 2 solo homers. The only other Mud Hen to record a hit was Will Rhymes who went 1-4.

Erie 4, Reading 1 (Phillies)

Brooks Brown (RHP) earned a win and looked terrific in his third start of the year: 7 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 7 K. Austin Wood recorded his third save of the year after he allowed 2 hits and struck out 2 in the 9^th.

Francisco Martinez (3B) was 2-4 from the plate and lead the team with 2 RBI. Rockett and Douglas picked up an RBI each. After his promotion from Lakeland, Michael Rockett (OF) is hitting .333 in 72 ABs with Erie.

Lakeland 4, Daytona 3 (Cubs)

Lakeland trailed 2-3 heading into the 9^th before adding two clutch runs and turning the game over to Kenny Faulk (LHP). Predictably, Faulk held the opposition scoreless and got his 18^th save of the year. In his last ten appearances, Faulk has held the other team scoreless 9 times.  He’s also struck out 39 batters in 30 1/3 innings while walking only 4.

Kenny Faulk’s continued brilliance detracted somewhat from the praise I would have otherwise heaped on Drew Smyly (LHP) who gave up just two unearned runs over 7 innings of work while striking out 8.

Daniel Fields (CF) had a nice night: 2-3, 1 RBI. Brent Wyatt (LF) also had 2 hits and a RBI. Bergolla had the other Lakeland RBI.

Brent Wyatt is a switch-hitting outfielder who is hitting .311 in 212 ABs with Lakeland. He’s walked more than he’s struck out (43 to 39) and driven in 24 while posting an OBP of .444.

Toledo 2, Louisville 4 (Reds)

Andy Oliver (LHP) took the loss after giving up all 4 Louisville runs in 5 1/3 IP. He allowed 4 hits and 3 walks while striking out 4. Wise and Ortega combined to pitch 2 2/3 scoreless innings.

Inge went 0-4 with 2 strikeouts. In 17 ABs with Toledo he’s only produced 3 singles with 0 RBI. Bryan Pounds (3B) went 1-4 with a homer. Ben Guez got the other Toledo RBI and went 2-3 on the night.

Erie 3, New Hampshire 1 (Blue Jays)

Ramon Garcia (LHP) started and got the win after a quality start: 6 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K. Chance Ruffin (RHP) picked up save number 8 after striking out 1 while retiring the side in order in the 9^th.

Michael Bertram (DH) didn’t have an RBI but was instrumental in the win. He scored two runs and went 2-3 from the plate with a  double and a walk. Ciriaco and Retherford each drove in 1.

West Michigan 5, Lake County 10 (Indians)

Nate Newman (RHP) and Bruce Rondon (RHP) each blew a save opportunity as the West Michigan staff allowed Lake County back into this one. West Michigan lead by 1 heading into the 8^th before Newman gave up a run on 3 hits. West Michigan rebounded and scored a go-ahead run in the bottom of the 8^th before Rondon gave up a run in the top of the 9^th. After 3 scoreless extra frames, Lake County posted 5 runs in the top of the 13^th to win easily. Patrick Cooper ate the loss after allowing all 5 decisive runs over 4 1/3 innings of work.

The glowing bright spot of this pitching implosion was Nick Castellanos who went 3-6 with a double and 3 RBI. Despite a slow start , Castellanos is inching closer to reaching his potential and is now hitting .291 on the year.

My pick for underrated minor leaguer of the year, Rob Brantly (C), went 2-4 with a triple and scored 3 runs.

Dixon Machado (SS) had a terrible 0-fer as he went 0-6 with a strike out.

Toledo 1, Louisville 2 (Reds)

Thad Weber (RHP) held Louisville to 1 run over 8 innings. He struck out 7, and allowed 3 hits and 2 walks. Matt Hoffman took the loss after he allowed the winning run to get on base. Lester Oliveros gave up the hit to score that run and Louisville walked off in the 10^th.

Inge went 0-4 including 2 strike outs. Scott Thorman (DH) was 2-4 with a solo homer.

Erie 4, New Hampshire 5 (Blue Jays)

Jay Voss (LHP) received a no decision after 3 ER in 6 innings of work. He struck out 6 while walking 2, but gave up 6 hits.  Robbie Weinhardt (RHP) continued his depressing tailspin after giving up 2 ER on 3 hits in one inning of work to take the loss.

Michael Bertram (DH) lead the way offensively: 1-3, 1 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 BB. Michael Rockett (RF) hit a solo homer in 4 plate appearances. Since moving to Erie from Lakeland, Rockett is hitting .321 in 56 ABs.

West Michigan 2, Lake County 0 (Indians)

Kevin Eichhorn (RHP) was the winning pitcher with the following line: 6 2/3 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 5 K. Eichhorn’s ERA for the year is a respectable 3.59. He’s got a 5-3 record through 12 starts and 67 2/3 IP. Bruce Rondon (RHP) picked up save 11 after a scoreless inning and two-thirds of relief with 4 strikeouts.

Hernan Perez (2B) went 2-4 with a homer and 2 RBI. Castellanos went 2-3 with a walk. Despite early struggles, Castellanos average for the year is up to .282.

Toledo had a scheduled day off

Erie 11, Portland 3 (Red Sox)

Jacob Turner earned the win. He gave up 2 runs (1 earned) on 3 hits and 3 walks while striking out 3 over 6 IP. The recently demoted Robbie Weinhardt allowed an ER and 2 hits in one inning.

The Erie offense produced 6 runs in the 5^th inning en route to a blow out. Jamie Johnson (CF) went 1-3 with a triple, 2 RBI, and a walk. Adam Calderone (LF) went 1-2 with 2 RBI. Rawley Bishop (1B) also went 1-3 with 2 RBI.

Lakeland 5, Tampa 6 (Yankees)

Zach Samuels (RHP) took the loss after giving up a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 9^th. Before that dagger, Trevor Feeney (RHP) started and went 6 innings. He gave up 3 ER on 6 hits and 2 walks.

Brent Wyatt (LF) had a superb night at the dish: 4-4, 2 R, 1 2B, and 1 BB. Over the last ten games, Wyatt is hitting .368 with an OBP of .479 and SLG .579. He’s walked 8 times to 6 strike outs and has driven in 3 runs. Gustavo Nunez (SS) drove in a run while going 2-4 and drawing a walk. Nunez scored 2 runs.

West Michigan 0, Bowling Green 1 (Rays)

Alex Burgos (LHP)  had a great start for the caps. He limited Bowling Green to 1 ER on 3 hits and a walk over 7 innings while recording 4 K’s. Unfortunately, the anemic  WM offense handed Burgos his first loss of the year. Ramon Lebron (RHP) kept the good night rolling after he held Bowling Green scoreless and K’ed 2 in 1 IP.

Castellanos went 0-4 with 2 strikeouts. James Robbins had the only positive night to speak of as he went 2-4 with a 2B.

Toledo 2, Rochester 1 (Twins)

Andy Oliver (LHP)  allowed only an unearned run in the 2^nd inning en route to his 5^th win of the year. In 6 innings he only gave up 2 hits and walked 5 while striking out 9 in an impressive effort. Lester Oliveros got save number 4 after an inning and 2/3 of 1 hit relief. Oliveros struck out 3 of the 6 batters he faced.

Scott Thorman had 2 hits, including a double,  in 4 ABs and drove in 1. Omir Santos drove in the other Toledo run and went 1-3 with a double.

Lakeland 13, Brevard County 6 (Brewers)

Drew Smyly had the anti-Phil Coke outing as he gave up 6 runs, 4 earned on 9 hits and a walk but still got the win as the Lakeland offense was firing on all cylinders.

Daniel Fields lead the way with 4 RBI, including a 3 run homer in the 3^rd. Corey Jones (2B) went 3-5 with 3 RBI. Avisail Garcia (RF) went 3-4 with a homer, 3 runs scored, and 2 RBI.

Erie and West Michigan had scheduled days off

Toledo 6, Rochester 3 (Twins)

LJ Gagnier (RHP) earned the win after 5 innings as the starter. He gave up 3 ER on 6 hits and 4 BB’s while striking out 2. Ryan Perry got his 3^rd save of the year after 2 scoreless innings.

Will Rhymes homered and drove in 2. Bryan Pounds (3B) also had 2 RBI on 2-4 from the plate.

Erie 2, New Britian 0 (Twins)

Mark Sorensen (RHP) was the winning pitcher of record – his line: 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 4 K. Chance Ruffin picked up save number 7 after a scoreless inning of relief.

Jamie Johnson went 1-3 with a double, a RBI, and a walk. Bishop (1B) had the other Erie RBI and went 1-3 with a walk.

Lakeland 4, Brevard County 6 (Brewers)

Jared Wesson walked 6 batters and gave up 3 ER as the starter; however, Lakeland still enjoyed a 4-3 lead heading into the 9^th inning. Normally, Kenny Faulk would lock down the last three outs and Lakeland would win. Yesterday wasn’t normal. Faulk gave up 3 ER on 2 hits (including a HR) and a walk to take the loss and blow his first save of the year.

Jordan Lennerton (1B) went 1-3 with a walk, a homer, and 2 RBI. Gustavo Nunez (SS) went 2-4 with 2 runs scored and a walk. Plagman had 2 RBI.

West Michigan 14, Burlington 5 (A’s)

Kyle Ryan (LHP) earned his 4^th win of the season with some huge help from the offense. He gave up 4 runs (3 earned) in 6 innings as the starter. The baseball gods were kind enough to somehow give Torrealba his 3^rd save of the year after allowing an ER in 3 innings of work. Easily the least stressful save in the history of baseball.

Hernan Perez (2B) went 1-2 with 2 walks, a homer, and 3 RBI. Machado also had 3 RBI on 2-6 from the plate. James Robbins went 4-6 with a  homer, 2 RBI, and 3 runs scored.

Toledo 3, Gwinnett 4 (Braves)

The Mud Hens spoiled a tremendous start from Duane Below and wound up losing after Gwinnett put up a run in the top of the 14^th inning. Below’s line: 8 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB. Oliveros, Wise, and Hoffman combined to throw 5 scoreless innings of relief before Jose Ortega (RHP) gave up the losing run.

Mags went 1-2 with a  homer 2 RBI and 2 walks. Omir Santos (c) had the other RBI on a 2-5 night from the plate.

Erie 3, New Britain 4 (Twins)

Brooks Brown started and took the loss for the Wolves after he allowed 4 ER over 3 2/3 innings. Luis Marte (RHP) struck out 4 batters in just 2 1/3 innings of relief after he came on for Brown in the 4^th.

Audy Ciriaco (SS) went 3-3 with a run, a 2B, and a RBI. Rockett and Murrian each picked up an RBI.

Lakeland 12, Daytona 1 (Cubs)

Feeney started and was the winning pitcher after 7 innings of work without a run.

Every Lakeland batter except for Fields had at least an RBI during the thrashing. Bergolla (3B) went 3-4 with a run scored, a 2B, a walk, and 2 RBI.

West Michigan 5, Burlington 4 (A’s)

Josue Carreno (RHP) earned his win after 7 innings of work. He allowed 3 ER on 7 hits and 2 walks while striking out 3. Rondon earned the 10^th save of the year after recording the final out.

Nick Castellanos (3B) went 2-4 with a homer and 3 RBI to lead the way for the caps.

Toledo 5, Gwinnett 10 (Braves)

Andy Oliver got knocked around in 3 2/3 innings as the starter. He allowed 7 ER on 10 hits including 2 homers. The only pitcher that had a nice outing was Fu Te Ni who pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings while striking out 2.

Toledo made a run at a comeback with 4 in the bottom of the 8^th. Ryan Strieby (1B) lead the charge: 2-4 1 HR, 1 RBI. Will Rhymes went 2-5 with 2 RBI and a triple. Perez and St.Pierre added an RBI apiece to complete the Mud Hens scoring.

Erie 7, Altoona 6 (Pirates)

Casey Crosby (LHP) was the winning pitcher of record after 5 innings of work. He gave up 4 ER on 5 hits and 5 BB while striking out 6. After 2 unearned runs allowed by Gayhart, Waite and Ruffin combined to hold Altoona scoreless. Ruffin got his 6^th save of the year.

Audy Ciriaco (SS) and Brandon Douglas (2B) each went 2-4 and Ciriaco drove in 3. Martinez (3B) also had a solid night as he drove in 2 and went 1-2 from the plate with a walk.

Lakeland 4, Daytona 0 (Cubs)

Drew Smyly (LHP) had a terrific night as the Lakeland starter: 7 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 7 K. His ERA for the year is now 3.03. Tyler Stohr allowed the only Daytona hit of the night and gave up a walk in 2 innings of work.

Jordan Lennerton (1B) was 2-4 with 2 2B and 2 RBI. Brent Wyatt (LF) was 1-3 with 2 walks and 2 runs scored.

West Michigan 10, Peoria 9 (Cubs)

Brennan Smith (RHP) got knocked out after 3 2/3 innings as the starter. He gave up 5 ER on 8 hits and 2 walks. Ramon Lebron was the least bad pitcher in this game and got the win after allowing an ER in 2 1/3 innings of work. Antonio Cruz was credited with the save after he K’ed 2 in an inning of relief.

Billy Nowlin had an epic night with the bat. He homered twice and went 4-5 from the dish we 3 runs scored and 3 RBI. Rob Brantly (C) also hit a home run and drove in 3. Hernan Perez (2B) went 2-4 with an RBI and 2 runs scored.

Toledo 4, Scranton 1 (Yankees)

Thad Weber (RHP) became the winning pitcher after holding Scranton to 1 ER, on 5 hits, over 7 innings. Weber K’ed 6 without giving up a walk. Matt Hoffman and Ryan Perry held the opposition scoreless in 2 innings of relief.

Thorman, Pounds, Iorg, Perez, and Rhymes all had multiple hits. Rhymes lead the way with a 3-5 night. Deik Scram (OF) was the Hens RBI leader after he drove in 2 on a 1-3 night.

Lakeland 1, Tampa 3 (Yankees)

Jared Wesson (LHP) started and went 6 innings. He allowed 3 ER on 5 hits and 3 walks while striking out 6 in a losing effort. Kenny Faulk continued to look good in relief: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K.

Wade Gaynor had the only Lakeland RBI on 1-4 from the plate. Jordan Lennerton (DH) went 2-4 from the plate.

Erie and West Michigan had a scheduled day off