Tork hits tanks, Toledo wins

Toledo Mud Hens 7, Omaha Storm Chasers 2 (Gm 1)(F/7)(box)

Spencer Torkelson and Riley Greene flat out dominated game one of Wednesday’s doubleheader, and Logan Shore put together a nice outing to keep the Storm Chasers down. Torkelson homered to left field twice in this one. The first came in the first inning, with Riley Greene on base after a ground-rule double, while the second was a solo shot in the sixth. Meanwhile, Shore spun five innings of one-run ball on five hits, two walks, with six strikeouts. Locke St. John allowed a run in the sixth as Omaha pulled within one, but a four-run outburst in the top of the ninth, headlined by a bases clearing triple from Riley Greene, powered the SeaWolves to a decisive victory.

Torkelson: 2-4, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2 HR

Greene: 2-4, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2B, 3B, SO

Kreidler: 1-2, R, BB

Omaha Storm Chasers 4, Toledo Mud Hens 1 (Gm 2)(F/7)(box)

The Hens’ offense was much quieter in the nightcap, and with a bullpen game on the docket, they needed more. Omaha scored a pair of runs off of Nolan Blackwood in the first inning, and added another run in the fourth. With their final three outs to work with in the top of the seventh, Ryan Kreidler got things going with a one-out double. Jacob Robson walked, and Riley Greene singled in Kreidler. Omaha walked Spencer Torkelson, but with the bases juiced, Kody Clemens sprayed a single into center field to score Robson and Greene, tying the game. Isaac Paredes struck out, and then the Storm Chasers issued an intentional walk to Christin Stewart. The move worked out, and Aderlin Rodriguez went down swinging. Toledo couldn’t push across a runner in the eighth, and Angel De Jesus allowed the runner on second to score as Omaha’s leadoff man, Dairon Blanco, singled to right to walk this one off.

Kreidler: 2-3, R, 2B, BB

Clemens: 2-3, 2 RBI, BB

Greene: 1-5, R, RBI, 2 SO

Coming Up Next: RHP Pedro Payano (3-5, 4.57 ERA) takes on LHP Marcelo Martinez (3-5, 5.25 ERA) at 8:05 p.m. EDT.

Erie SeaWolves 9, Harrisburg Senators 1 (box)

This one was a pitching duel early on, and Erie’s Garrett Hill won out, spinning six shutout innings with eight strikeouts, and only two hits and three walks allowed. His offense rewarded him when they erupted for a nine-run inning in the fifth. Andre Lipcius, and the recently promoted Daniel Cabrera singled to lead off the frame. Andrew Navigato doubled home Lipcius, though Cabrera was thrown out at home. Eric De La Rosa was hit by a pitch, and two straight singles brought a pitching change. The results didn’t change. Drew Ward walked, Josh Lester singled, Kerry Carpenter doubled…the carnage went on and on. Nine runs came around before Harrisburg managed the second out of the inning. Chavez Fernander allowed a run in the eighth to lose the shutout.

Cabrera: 2-4, RBI, SO

Lipcius: 1-3, 2 R, BB, 2 SO

Navigato: 1-3, R, RBI, 2B, BB, SO

Hill (W, 2-0): 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 3 BB, 8 SO

Coming Up Next: RHP Beau Brieske (1-1, 3.33 ERA) takes on RHP Joan Adon (1-0, 3.00 ERA) on Thursday night at 6:05 p.m. EDT.

West Michigan Whitecaps 8, Peoria Chiefs 2 (box)

Zac Shepherd’s transition to starting continues to go well. The converted third baseman from Australia spun 6 ¹⁄₃ innings of one-run ball, with no walks and five punchouts in this one. The offense backed him up with some timely hitting and a pair of Reynaldo Rivera home runs. Parker Meadows singled with one out in the second inning, and was aboard from Rivera’s first blow. In the fourth, three straight singles scored a run, leaving two on the bases for Rivera, who cleared them with this three-run shot. Colt Keith had a two-hit game, and turned a nifty double play with his arm after making a nice catch deep down the left field line in foul territory.

Rivera: 2-4, 2 R, 5 RBI, 2 HR, 2 SO

Keith: 2-3, R, BB

Meadows: 2-3, 2 R, SO

Coming Up Next: First pitch on Thursday is set for 7:05 p.m. EDT.

Lakeland Flying Tigers vs. Clearwater Threshers (postponed)

The Flying Tigers will host a doubleheader on Thursday to make up Wednesday’s rain out. First pitch is set for 4:00 p.m. EDT.