THE SERIES ... After an early day off on Monday, Lakeland returns to action on Tuesday, opening a three-game set with Brevard County on April 9-11. The series opens with a pair of games at Joker Marchant Stadium on Tuesday, April 9 and Wednesday, April 10, with both games scheduled for 6:30 p.m. The two squads then head to Brevard County for a 6:35 p.m. game on Thursday, April 11, at Space Coast Stadium. Thursday’s game will be broadcast on WMEL radio (http://www.1300wmel.com/).
THE FLYING TIGERS (2-2) ... After dropping the first two games of the season, Lakeland has come back with wins in each of the last two outings to split their opening four-game series against Tampa. The Flying Tigers lost in the season opener at Tampa then lost to the Yankees on Saturday, suffering their first home opening defeat since 2006. Dean Green and Jeff McVaney each went 7x16 in the Tampa series to tie for fourth in the FSL with .438 averages while Aaron Westlake is tied for second with five runs batted in.
THE MANATEES (1-3) ... Brevard County, an affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers, won its opener at Daytona 4-3 and then dropped the next three – including two by shutout – while being outscored 21-2 in the three contests. Gregory Hopkins and Kevin Shackelford each have five hits for the Manatees who are hitting just .212 as a team. The staff ERA of 4.85 in the highest in the league.
LAKELAND PROBABLE PITCHES (based on past rotations)
4/09 (@LAK) - RHP Kevin Eichhorn (3-2 with a 4.00 ERA for Lakeland in 2012) ... making his first start of the season ... was 3-2 with a 4.00 ERA in eight starts for Lakeland in 2012 with 25 strikeouts and 7 walks in 45.0 innings ... placed on disabled list in May 2012 for remainder of season with a strained flexor mass ... West Michigan’s Pitcher of the Year in 2011.
4/10 (@LAK) - RHP Tommy Collier (9-8, 2.74 ERA at West Michigan in 2012) ... Got the opening day nod for Lakeland ... worked 4.0 IP and allowed three runs, two earned, on five hits; struck out six and walked three in taking the loss.
4/11 (@BRE) - RHP Drew VerHagen (0-3, 3.67 ERA at Lakeland in 2012) ... Started game two against Tampa .. lasted 4.1 IP ... allowed three runs, all earned, on four hits with one strikeout and two walks ... took the loss.
INSIDE THE MANATEES ... Pitcher Mark Williams was 8-1 with a 1.59 to help lead Marietta College to the 2011 NCAA Division III national Championship ... Pitcher Jed Bradley was the 15th pick overall in the 2011 draft out of Georgia Tech ... Pitcher Cameron Garfield was born in Frankfurt, Germany ... Outfielder Lance Roenicke is the son of Milwaukee Brewers manager, Ron Roenicke ... Outfielder Chadwin Stang was born in Surrey, British Columbia.
THE GREEN STREAK ... Lakeland designated hitter Dean Green is doing just that – hitting – going 7x16 in the early going for a .438 average. Collecting hits in each of the four games so far, Green has scored four runs and driven in two more. The big DH has had two hits in each of three of the four games of the Yankees series.
McVANEY THERE AS WELL ... Centerfielder Jeff McVaney has also gotten a hit in each of the four games of the Tampa series exclamated by a four-hit night on April 6 in Tampa. McVaney collected three singles and a double to help lead Lakeland to their first win of the year. Like Green, McVaney is also 7x16 at the plate.
MORE MOYA ... Rightfielder Steven Moya also has carried a hot bat so far (although he was hitless on Sunday). Moya, who had three hits in game two of the Tampa series, is 5x19 so far.
LAKELAND TRIVIA ... Last season, this Flying Tiger had a torrid start to the 2012 season, collecting 12 hits in his first 17 at bats. Can your name this hot hitter? (Answer at the end of this column.)
ONE MORE ... Chad Wright doubled and singled twice on Saturday at Tampa and is 4x13 so far.
THE REST LOOKING FOR THEIR BATS ... With the above mentioned four hitters collecting 23 hits in 64 at bats (.359) as a unit, the rest of the roster is 9x70 (.129).
TAMPA BLANKS LAKELAND CATCHERS ... The only position not to get a hit in the Tampa series was the catching spot. John Murrian was held hitless in nine at bats over three games while Zach Maggard was kept off the bases in four at bats on Saturday,
SO CLOSE ... The Charlotte Stone Crabs came within one out of tossing the franchise’s first no-hitter on Saturday. Pitchers Jesse Hahn (3.0 IP), Jake Floethe (5.0 IP) held Palm Beach hitless through eight innings and Lenny Linsky had retired the first two batters he faced before walking one. Palm Beach’s Colin Walsh then tripled to right to break up the no-hitter. The Cardinals had just one baserunner in the first eight innings, that coming on an first-inning error.
AND THEN THERE WERE TWO ... Through the first weekend of action in the Florida State League just two teams remain undefeated. Fort Myers swept Bradenton in four games and St. Lucie emerged unscathed in four games against Jupiter, winning two games 1-0 and allowing just three runs over the four games.
ONES THAT GOT AWAY ... Not all Lakeland alums make the Detroit roster. Here’s some players that are active elsewhere in the majors: Burke Badenhop (2007) Brewers; Brennan Boesch (2008) Yankees; Rob Brantly (2011) Marlins; Alfredo Figaro (2008) Brewers; Jason Frasor (2002) Rangers; Charlie Furbush (2002) Mariners; Jack Hannahan (2002) Reds; Cristhian Martinez (2006) Braves; Cameron Maybin (2007) Padres; Andrew Miller (2007) Red Sox; Ryan Raburn (2004) Indians; Wilkin Ramirez (Twins); Fernando Rodney (2001) Rays; Scott Sizemore (Athletics); Andres Torres (Giants)
THE SKIPPER ... Manager Dave Huppert, who was inducted into the Florida State League Hall of Fame in 2012, is in his 25th season as a minor league manage and is the active winningest manager in the minors with a 1,747-1,585 record entering the Brevard County series. Last season, he led Lakeland to the 2012 Florida State League Championship to record his fourth overall championship and his third in the FSL. He also led the 2001 Brevard County to a co-championship while his 2007 Clearwater squad won the crown outright. In addition, he coached the Lakeland Blue Claws (Phillies) to the 2006 South Atlantic League title.
UPCOMING PROMOS ... Tuesday, April 9 is Baseball Wingo sponsored by Buffalo Wild Wings. A 2-for-1 ticket offer is available in The Ledger. Silver Sluggers received free admission to Tuesday’s contest ... Wednesday, April 19 is All-You-Can-Eat night sponsored by Harry’s Seafood Bar & Grill.
TRIVIA ANSWER ... Outfielder Tyler Collins had three hits in each of the four games of the 2012 season for Lakeland.
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