Detroit Tigers Minor League Report: Storylines for the weekend

After a night off, the Detroit Tigers Minor League Report is back to not only provide a summary of last night’s action but also to give to you a few storylines as the affiliates wrap up their respected series with evening games tonight and then day games tomorrow.

Triple-A: Toledo Mud Hens (2-2)

After the rainout on Thursday, the Mud Hens played a Friday night  7 inning doubleheader against the Nashville Sounds. In the first game, the Mud Hens could only muster up three hits against Aaron Ashby and Ouintin Torres-Costa, who combined for 10 strikeouts. Daniel Pinero, playing second last night, had two of those hits and DH Aderlin Rodriguez had the other.

Logan Shore, starting for the Mud Hens went 2 and 2/3 innings, allowing four runs on four hits, striking out five, and walking two.

In the second game, Zack Short’s second home run of the season, a solo shot off former Tigers pitcher Blane Hardy put the Mud Hens on the scoreboard, trailing 2 to 1 in the 3rd.  After the Mud Hens tied in the 5th, Nashville would score on three hits off Robbie Ross Jr, in the 6th to hang on for the 5-4 victory.

Eric Haase continues his strong start of the season, going 2-for-4 and raising his batting average to .375 on the season. Rony Garcia, in his first Triple-A start, allowed a pair of home runs in four innings of work and struck out five.

What to look out for on Saturday: Wily Peralta makes his first start in a Mud Hens uniform. The former Brewer was down in Lakeland, working on getting back into shape after having visa issues during spring training.

Double-A: Erie SeaWolves (3-1)

Erie suffered its first loss of the season, losing to Reading 8 to 4. Ryan Kreidler went 2-for-4 and Jacob Robson went 3-for-5. Veteran catcher Juan Centeno, who was on the Houston Astros World Series team, hit a two-run home run in the 6th as the SeaWolves continue a streak to start the season of hitting at least a home run per game.

John Valente, a 2018 21st round draft pick from St John’s, went 2-for-3 on the evening and is 4-for-7 to start the season.

What to look out for on Saturday: Remember Mark Appel? The number one overall pick in 2013 for the Houston Astros is set to take on the SeaWolves.

High-A: West Michigan Whitecaps (1-3)

Despite being 0-for-14 with runners in scoring position, there were several highlights in the 10 to 3 loss to Fort Wayne. Andre Lipcius had a home run in the 9th.

Bryant Packard showed off some speed here.

Dillon Dingler showed off the arm here.

What to look out for on Saturday:  Spencer Torkelson looks to break out of the slump and to seek his first extra-base hit of the season.

Low-A: Lakeland Flying Tigers (2-2)

2020 draft pick Gage Workman continues his strong start with a 2-for-5 day as the Flying Tigers won 6 to 2. Despite striking out three times, Jose De La Cruz’s only hit on the day was hit at 109.3 MPH and one of his other outs was hit at 104.4.

Michael Bienlien and Bryce Tassin pitched 4.2 innings of two-hit relief. Bienlien struck out five in 2.2 innings of work and generated 7 swings and misses. Ted Stuka, a 2019 14th round draft pick out of UC San Diego was hitting the gun around 96.

What to look out for on Saturday: The progress of De La Cruz, Workman, Quintana, and Jimmy Kerr.