Toledo Mud Hens 9, Omaha Storm Chasers 2 (box)
The Mud Hens raked against Omaha pitching while Lael Lockhart put together a solid outing on the mound.
It started with a two-out rally in the top of the second. Justice Bigbie singled and Stephen Scott drew a walk in time for Drew Maggi to smoke a line drive over the left field wall. Oscar Mercado followed with a solo shot and it was 4-0 Hens.
Lockhart allowed a pair of runs in the bottom half, but no more, settling in to toss five innings with six strikeouts and had the split working well throughout most of his outing.
Scott led off the fourth with a homer and Wenceel Pérez and Bligh Madris collecting RBI in the inning as the Hens made it 7-2. They picked up a pair of late runs, but they weren’t needed as Mason Englert and Andrew Magno were both perfect with two innings of relief work apiece.
Vilade: 3-5, R, 2 2B
Mercado: 2-3, 2 R, 2 RBI, HR, BB
Lockhart (W, 7-4): 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 4 BB, 6 K
Erie SeaWolves 10, Bowie Baysox 6 (box)
The SeaWolves are looking to head into the playoffs on a strong note, and they outplayed Bowie in all facets of the game in this one.
Garrett Burhenn didn’t have his best day on the mound, surrendering five runs on 11 hits in just four innings of work, but the bullpen was strong in his defense.
It was 3-0 Bowie in the bottom of the third when the SeaWolves offense started to get hot. Ben Malgeri walked with one out and Carlos Mendoza doubled him to third. An Austin Murr single scored them both, and Murr ended up on third after some sloppy defense from Bowie. Gage Workman lined a single into center field and we had a 3-3 game.
Burhenn gave two runs right back in the top of the fourth, but his teammates seized control in the bottom half. Corey Joyce was hit by a pitch to open the inning and stole second base. Malgeri reached on an error and then Mendoza was hit to load the bases. A two-run single from Murr followed, and Gage Workman got Mendoza home on a ground out to take a 6-5 lead.
They would go on to add four runs in the sixth, with RBI doubles from Max Anderson, playing in his first Double-A series, and Liam Hicks featuring in the attack. 10-5 Erie.
Tim Naughton, CJ Weins, and Chase Owens were all good in relief, with Owens picking up his second save for the SeaWolves. RJ Petit allowed a run in the top of the eighth.
Murr: 3-4, R, 5 RBI
Workman: 1-3, R, 2 RBI, 2 BB
Mendoza: 2-4, 3 R, 2B, K
Burhenn: 4.0 IP, 5 ER, 11 H, 0 BB, 6 K
Lakeland Flying Tigers at Clearwater Threshers
With Lakeland taking Game 1 at home, the series will move to Clearwater on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. ET. The Flying Tigers just need to win one of two there to advance to the championship game on September 15.