Lakeland seizes first place with four games left on the calendar

Scores, news, and notes, from around the Detroit Tigers’ farm system for September 4, 2024.

Indianapolis Indians 9, Toledo Mud Hens 6 (box )

Another day, another tough go for the Mud Hens. They were held to just six hits while Indy pounded out 19 and scored in all but two innings. In better news, Wenceel Perez went 0-for-3 in this one, but looked like he’s starting to find his timing.

Mason Englert was tagged for three runs in the first two innings alone. Bryan Sammons took over in the third and was a distinct improvement, but still allowed two runs while striking out five. Garrett Hill and Andrew Magno each allowed a pair of runs in relief.

The Hens got on the board in the second when Bligh Madris and Eddys Leonard both walked, and Madris scored on a Justice Bigbie single.

Andrew Navigato, Leonard and Bigbie all walked to load the bases with one out in the fourth. It was a 5-1 game at that point so they were still in it. Oscar Mercado singled and an absolute comedy of throwing errors from Indy cleared the bases and left Mercado on third in a 5-4 game.

The Indians pulled away with a run in the sixth and one in the seventh, but in the bottom of the eighth, the Hens again crept within striking distance. Akil Baddoo singled with one out, and Madris walked with two outs. Leonard was hit by a pitch to load the bases, and Bigbie came through again with a two-run single to make it 7-6 Indy. That was as close as they’d get as Magno gave up two runs in the top of the ninth.

Bigbie: 2-3, R, 3 RBI, BB

Mercado: 1-3, 2 RBI, K

Sammons: 3.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 0 BB, 5 K

Reading Fightin Phils 6, Erie SeaWolves 5 (box )

The SeaWolves put together an early lead and Garrett Burhenn spun a good game. However, the bullpen crumbled in the ninth to lose this one.

Carlos Mendoza started the game with a double. Austin Murr flew out and Gage Workman struck out swinging, but the ball ricocheted away from the catcher and Mendoza was able to score while Workman reached first. Chris Meyers singled Workman to third and Liam Hicks singled him home for a 2-0 lead.

In the third, Workman led off with a solo shot for his 17th homer on the year. Hicks followed with a solo shot of his own later in the inning.

Meanwhile, Garrett Burhenn allowed a run in the fourth, but otherwise spun five good innings with four strikeouts to one walk.

RJ Petit allowed a run in the eighth, but the SeaWolves got it back in the top of the ninth. Carlos Mendoza singled with two outs, and Austin Murr drew a walk. Workman lined a single to right field for a 5-2 lead.

Unfortunately, Petit fell apart in the bottom of the ninth. He allowed three singles and walk, and Joel Peguero had to rush into the game. Peguero did no better, allowing the Phils to tie the game with the bases still loaded. A catcher’s interference call on Liam Hicks made for the lamest walkoff victory you’ll see for Reading.

Workman: 2-5, 2 R, 2 RBI, HR, K

Hicks: 2-4, R, 2 RBI, HR

Burhenn: 5.0 IP, ER, 4 H, BB, 4 K

West Michigan Whitecaps 1, Lansing Lugnuts 0 (box )

Jaden Hamm was in effect in this one, and the Whitecaps bullpen did the rest.

The right-hander, now climbing up into top 100 lists, struck out four in four shutout innings. Late in his first full season as a pro, the Tigers are throttling back his innings, but Hamm looked in very good form.

Max Alba and Tanner Kohlhepp each spun a pair of shutout innings in relief.

The Whitecaps didn’t have much going offensively either, but they finally broke through in the sixth. Seth Stephenson led off with a double and took third on a Thayron Liranzo ground out. John Peck singled in Stephenson for the game’s only run.

Eiker Huizi, just promoted from Lakeland, collected his first save with a perfect ninth inning.

Peck: 2-4, RBI, K

Stephenson: 1-4, R, 2B

Hamm: 4.0 IP, 0 R, H, 0 BB, 4 K

Lakeland Flying Tigers 4, Fort Myers Mighty Mussels 0 (box )

The Flying Tigers took a half game lead in their division with a convincing 4-0 victory over second place Fort Myers on Wednesday. As a result, with four games left in this series, the Flying Tigers just need to split them to take first place and a postseason berth. Frankly, they deserve it. A 78-48 record should be plenty, but due to the split season standings that overall record won’t be enough.

Zack Lee and Duque Hebbert led the way in this one. Lee struck out four in three shutout innings, allowing two hits and no walks. Hebbert then one hit the Mussels for four innings, though he only recorded one punch out.

Lakeland scored their first run in the bottom of the first when Jack Penney strafed a double to left and scored on a Josue Briceño single. Briceño then walked to open the bottom of the fourth, was wild pitched to second, and eventually scored on a fielder’s choice on a Garrett Pennington ground ball.

In the fifth, Franyerber Montilla led off with a double and then stole third. David Smith walked and stole second. Briceño singled them both in to make it 4-0. Did we mention that it’s great to see Josue Briceño back?

Garrett Apker closed things out with two good frames with two strikeouts.

Briceño: 2-3, R, 3 RBI, 2B, BB, SB

Graham: 2-4, K

Hebbert (W, 5-2): 4.0 IP, 0 R, H, 0 BB, 1 K