Tigers Minor League Baseball Blog

The Mud Hens lost their first game in their hunt for their third straight Governors Cup in a high scoring affair.  Dennis Tankersley was knocked around for five runs in 3 1/3 innings but the Hens came back from that only to see Jason Karnuth give up four runs to take the loss.  Hens pitchers gave up runs in six of the eight innings they pitched in.

Chris Shelton homered, drove in two and scored twice in the 11-8 loss.  Andres Torres went two for five with a double and three runs.

The Mud Hens took two in their doubleheader with the Bats and in the process, they ended a three game losing streak.  The first game was a pitcher’s duel with the two teams combining for two hits in the Hens 1-0 win.  Chris Shelton doubled and scored the only run on Jack Hannahan’s ground out.

Jonathan Connelly had a very nice start in his season debut with the Hens.  He gave up just one hit and one walk with three strikeouts in seven shutout innings.  The 24 year old is having a solid season and he’s now lowered his season ERA (combined between Erie and Toledo) to 2.88.

The second game was also a one run game with the Hens coming out on top 4-3.  Mike Hessman provided most of the offense with a two run homer.  Andrew Graham also went yard with a solo shot and Jason Karnuth picked up the win despite blowing his save in the seventh inning.

You have to feel for Ron Chiavacci.  He gave up just one run on five hits with five strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings only to see the pen blow the game in the ninth and lose it in the tenth.  Jason Karnuth gave up the two ninth inning runs to send the game into extra frames before Jeremy Johnson took the loss when he gave up a run in the tenth.

Mike Hessman was a perfect three for three and he scored one run.  Dane Sardinha only had one hit, but it was a two run shot in the third inning.

Dennis Tankersley was crusing in this one, and he came out in the eighth inning after giving up two runs to make it a 6-3 lead.  Then in the ninth, the Jason Karnuth collapsed and gave up six runs to lose it.  The two errors in the inning didn’t help things though.

Chris Shelton had a big day at the plate.  He went two for three with two doubles, two walks and four RBIs.  Kevin Hooper went four for five with two doubles, an RBI and two runs.

A solid start by Yorman Bazardo went to waste today as the pen gave up the tying run in the eighth and then lost when they gave up two runs in the eleventh.  Bazardo gave up one unearned run on three hits and a walk with three strikeouts in six innings.  That’s two nice starts in a row for the big right hander.

Tim Byrdak gave up the tying run in the eighth and then Jason Karnuth lost it when he gave up a two run homer in the bottom of the eleventh.  Sandwiched between those two were two shutout innings by Vic Darensbourg.

At the plate, Timo Perez extended his hitting streak to eighteen games with a solid two for four game.  Andrew Graham went two for two with an RBI and a run in the 4-2 loss.

So far, Virgil Vazquez hasn’t adjusted to Triple A yet as he was hit hard in his second straight start.  This time he gave up six runs (four earned) on twelve hits and a walk with one strikeout in six innings of work.  Jason Karnuth threw two innings of relief and he gave up a run on one hit and two strikeouts.

Kevin Hooper had a nice day at the plate.  He went three for four with a double and two runs.  Ryan Rayburn doubled and drove in a run while Brent Clevelen had two hits.  Chris Shelton continued to hit well and he drove in two runs and singled and he’s hitting .375 so far this season.