Detroit Tigers Minor League Recap 4/30/13: Avisail Garcia and Tyler Collins Homer

AAA: Norfolk 7, Toledo 3

Nick Castellanos was 1-4 with a double. His slash line on the year is .259/.311/.444. Great slugging numbers, but I still want to see the OBP come up (specifically his walk rate) before there’s any talk of him coming up.

Jordan Lennerton and Argenis Diaz also each had a double. No one in Toledo is hitting terribly well, they have a team OPS of just .623 on the year.

Derek Hankins got the start and allowed five runs in six innings on one walk, one strikeout, and one home run. Kenny Faulk walked one in 0.2 innings of scoreless relief. Luke Putkonen walked one and allowed two runs in 1.1 innings.

AA: Binghamton 6, Erie 5

Daniel Fields continued his hitting ways with a 2-5 day. He has his OPS up to .831 on the year (.917 in the last 10 games) with a .272/.362/.469 slash line.

Tyler Collins homered in this game, his only hit on the day. Collins has a .913 OPS in his last 10 games after a very slow start to the season. His season OPS is still just .699 (.232/.308/.391), but it’s trending in the right direction.

Matt Crouse struck out three, walked three, and gave up two runs in 3.2 innings. David Kopp and Blaine Hardy combined to allow four runs in 4.1 innings of relief with a walk and two strikeouts.

A-Advanced: Lakeland 7, Charlotte 5

Mar 11, 2012; Lakeland, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers right fielder

(34) bats against the New York Mets during the game at Joker Marchant Stadium. The Mets beat the Tigers 11-0. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Avisail Garcia — still on rehab assignment in Floriday — had an awesome day going 3-4 with a triple and a home run. He’s hit .417/.500/.708 in his six games with Lakeland this year.

Eugenio Suarez had a single and two walks in three trips to the plate. He has picked up where he left off last year in West Michigan hitting .311/.410/.437 in Lakeland in 25 games (103 AB).

Aaron Westlake also singled and walked twice. It feels a lot like a make-or-break year for Westlake who hasn’t really flashed the power yet. He’s hitting .269/.315/.375 on the year.

Slade Smith, who hadn’t started in the minors yet, started for Lakeland. He pitched four innings and allowed four runs (three earned). Alex Burgos struck out three and walked one in three scoreless innings of relief, Melvin Mercedes struck out one and walked none in two scoreless innings, and Will Clinard recorded the save by striking out three batters in the 10th inning.

A: Beloit 9, West Michigan 5

Jeff Holm had three hits in continuation of his early-season tear. He’s raking at a .389/.453/.537 clip. Jake Stewart also had a nice day with two hits.

Montreal Robertson struggled, allowing five runs in just two innings of work. He walked four and only struck out one batter.