Detroit Tigers Minor League Recap 4/23/13: Nick Castellanos Hits First Homer of the Year

AAA: Durham 4, Toledo 3

March 3, 2013; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers outfielder NickCastellanos (79) works out prior to the game against the Atlanta Braves at ESPN Disney Wide World of Sports complex, Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Nick Castellanos hit his first home run as a member of the Toledo Mud Hens in their 4-3 loss to the Durham Bulls. The homer was the only high point in what was an otherwise 1-5, two strikeout day. Castellanos’ OPS is just .630 on the year.

Ben Guez (1-5) also homered in the game. Bryan Holaday and Argenis Diaz were the only two Toledo players to record multiple hits. Both were 2-5 with a double and a single.

Jose Alvarez was the starter for the Mud Hens. He pitched six innings, struck out five, allowed one walk, three hits, and one earned run.  Kenny Faulk (0.00 ERA) struck out all three batters he faced in an inning of relief, Jose Ortega (0.00 ERA) struck out one and walked one in one inning, Jess Todd (2.89 ERA) struck out two, walked two, and allowed a run in two innings of work, and Matt Hoffman (3.18 ERA) allowed one run to go with a walk and a strikeout in 0.2 innings.

AA: Erie 4, Bowie 1

Daniel Fields continued a stretch of hot hitting by going 2-4 with two doubles. Hernan Perez also had a fine day at the plate going 3-4 with one double. Fields and Perez have both been pleasant surprises at the plate this year for Erie — both have an OPS in the .800s.

Derek Hankins got the start and struck out six in eight innings of one-run ball. Matt Crouse walked one and struck out one in 0.2 innings of relief. Justin Souza recorded the final out.

A-Advanced: Lakeland 12, Clearwater 3

It was a big day for many of the Lakeland bats. Chad Wright was 3-5 (two triples), Aaron Westlake was 3-5 (three doubles), Jeff McVaney was 3-4 plus a walk, Tyler Hanover was 3-5 (one double), and John Murrian was 2-4 (home run) plus two walks. Brandon Loy also had two singles, and Eugenio Suarez reached base twice with a hit and a walk.

Kyle Ryan struck out three and didn’t walk a batter in six innings as a starter. He allowed nine hits and two runs. Ryan Robowski and Will Clinard each pitched a scoreless inning with no walks and no strikeouts. Michael Torrealba allowed one run in one inning with one strikeout and no walks.

A: Lake County 8, West Michigan 5

Jake Stewart lead the way for the Whitecaps with a 3-4 day at the plate. Danry Vasquez and David Gonzalez each went 2-4. Austin Schotts stayed on the schneid with an 0-3 day (though he did draw a walk). His slash line is down to .085/.214/.106.

Endrys Briceno went five innings while allowing three runs with three walks and three strikeouts. Logan Ehlers pitched 1.1 innings with one walk and one strikeout.