Louisville 5, Toledo 3
The Bats scored twice in the Top of the 9th to stick it to the Mud Hens on Wednesday, which pulled them to a Cincinnati Reds-ish 10 games under .500 for the season.
Matt “While He Works” Wisler got his first start in the Reds organization after coming over from Atlanta in the Adam Duvall trade, and was pretty rock solid. He allowed 1 ER in 5.0 IP, scattering 5 hits in the process, but he fanned 5 against nary a walk, which was certainly nice to see. Brandon “Go to Sea World one more time to see that back-flipping Dol” Finnegan, on the other hand, was awful again, allowing 2 ER in relief while retiring just 1 batter - though he did pick up the hold for his efforts.
Scott Schebler walked and scored while finally playing LF on his rehab assignment, and Blake “Kit Kat Bar” Trahan went 2 for 4 with a triple to help pace the offense.
Cody Reed will start Thursday for Louisville against Columbus, with first pitch set for 7:05 PM ET.
Pensacola 3, Biloxi 2
Pensacola had some late-game heroics in this one, too, as they scored twice in the Bottom of the 9th to walk-off after having allowed what was then the go-ahead run to the Shuckers in the Top of the 9th. That gave them a win in game one of the doubleheader.
In what was a bullpen game after Daniel Wright lasted just 1.1 IP as the starter, Wyatt Strahan did most of the mopping, firing 5.0 IP of 1 ER ball, fanning 8 in the process. Offensively, TJ “Land of the” Friedl went 3 for 4 with a triple and a ribbie, Jose “Que Sera” Siri singled and scored a run, and Aristides Aquino bonked his 15th dinger of the season - this one of the walk-off variety.
Pensacola 7, Biloxi 0 (F/7)
The win in game two of the doubleheader came a bit easier for the Blue Wahoos.
Another bullpen game was tossed by the Pensacola staff, with Carlos Navas firing 3 scoreless IP to start while Nick Howard backed him with a pair of scoreless innings to actually pick up the win. Yes, that one
Shed “Blockers” Long went 2 for 3 with a walk, ribbie, and 2 runs scored, Mitch “Whip” Nay went 3 for 3 with a walk, ribbie, and 2 runs scored, and Nick Howard bonked a 2-run single, too. Yes, that one.
Someone will be starting for the Blue Wahoos on Thursday when they square off against the Montgomery Biscuits at 7:35 PM ET.
Daytona 4, Palm Beach 3
Tejay Antone allowed just 2 ER in his 6 IP, scattering 6 hits and a walk against 5 Ks in an all-around solid outing.
At the plate, Randy “The Body” Ventura continued his hot-hitting from the leadoff spot with a 2-hit night, Alfredo Rodriguez actually did something with a 1 for 3, R, 2 BB night, and Tyler “Taylor” Stephenson continued to rake with a 3 for 4 night that included a double, 2 ribbies, and a walk.
These two clubs will face one another again on Thursday at 6:30 PM ET, though Daytona has not yet named their starter.
Dayton 7, Fort Wayne 5 (F/10)
The Dragons got a pair of runs in the Top of the 10th to get the victory in extra innings on Wednesday. Packy “Packy Naughton” Naughton got the start and was pounded for all 5 ER on the night in his 5.0 IP, but the Dayton offense eventually bailed him out.
Jose Garcia went 3 for 5 with 2 doubles, a ribbie, and a run scored, both JD “Salinger” Williams and Mark Kolozsvary had 3 hit nights, and Hendrik “Smits” Clementina continued his hot streak with a 2 hit night of his own.
Jonathan India did not play, which is dumb.
Austin Orewiler will start for Dayton at 7:00 PM ET tonight against Fort Wayne.
Billings 6, Great Falls 4 (F/12)
Billings picked up an extra-innings win of their own on Wednesday to wrap the organizational sweep for the Reds system, which is pretty, pretty danged cool.
Matt “Quidditch” Pidich, Moises “Super” Nova, and Eddy Demurias combined to allow just a lone unearned run in their 7.0 combined IP from the bullpen, which set the backbone for the comeback win.
On offense, “Do Not” Zeek “The Treasure” White had 2 hits and a walk from the leadoff spot, which led to 3 runs scored. Jay Schuyler backed him in the lineup with a 2 for 3, 2 BB, 2 ribbie night, and both Mariel Bautista and Pabel “Canon in D” Manzanero had 2-hit nights, too.
James “Yo No Soy” Marinan will pitch for the Mustangs on Thursday when these two teams tussle again, with first pitch set for 9:00 PM ET.