Detroit Tigers Minor League Recap 4/18/13: Tyler Collins and James Robbins Homer

AAA: Toledo 2, Columbus 0 – Top 5, Suspended

This game was suspended after only four innings had been played.

Top Tigers prospect Nick Castellanos was 1-1 (a double) and drew two walks. Quintin Berry was 1-2 plus a walk and also stole a base.

Jose Alvarez was the pitcher for Toledo. He struck out five, walked two, and had three hits fall in against him in four innings.

Daisuke Matsuzaka was the starter for Columbus. He walked eight and struck out four in his four innings while allowing the two runs.

AA: Erie 15, Trenton 14

Based on the score, I’m not sure if this would have been the best game to attend ever or the worst game.

February 25, 2013; Clearwater, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers right fielder Tyler Collins (72) hits a RBI triple in the sixth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Bright House Networks Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Tyler Collins got his bat going with a 3-3 night including a home run. He also walked once and didn’t strike out. James Robbins also homered to go with two doubles in what was a 3-5 night at the plate. Hernan Perez had four hits, one of which was a double, in six trips to the plate. James McCann went 3-5 with two doubles.

As the score indicates, the pitching was a mess. Derek Hankins got the start and struck out five against zero walks, but allowed three home runs in five innings (six runs, four earned). Robbie Weinhardt pitched 1.2 innings of relief and allowed three runs (all earned) on three hits, three walk, and a home run. He struck out three. Tyler Stohr also struggled in two-thirds of an innings. Stohr recorded both of his outs via the strikeout, but he also walked three and allowed three, all of whom came around to score. Justin Souza finished the game by striking out one and walking zero in 1.2 innings, but he gave up two solo home runs (and nearly gave up the game).

A-Advanced: Dunedin 1, Lakeland 0 (13 innings)

In contrast to the Erie-Trenton game – where the teams combined for 29 runs in a standard nine inning game – Dunedin and Lakeland needed to play 13 before either team could manage to cross home plate.

Dean Green was 2-5 plus a walk as the only Flying Tiger to record multiple hits. No one on the team had an extra base hit on the night.

Kyle Ryan pitched eight scoreless innings with three strikeouts, four walks, and only one hit allowed. Melvin Mercedes walked one in a scoreless inning of relief. Slade Smith went three innings with one strikeout and one walk. Jade Todd struck out one and walked one and allowed the only run in the 13th inning.

A: West Michigan at Lansing – Game 1 – PPD

A: West Michigan at Lansing – Game 2 – PPD

Rain. Lots and lots of Rain.