2008 Lakeland Flying Tigers Season Tracker

We'll track our 2008 Flying Tigers here.
(thanks to gogetemtigers for originally posting this)


Lakeland Flying Tigers
Class A (Advanced) team in the Florida State League

FIRST HALF OF SEASON

WINS - 35, LOSSES - 35

CLICK SCORE FOR BOX SCORE

April (all times local unless noted)

3 @ Tampa, 7:00 PM - WON 4-1 (WP: R. Porcello; LP: E. Hacker)
4 @ Tampa 7:00 PM - LOST 4-5 (WP: E. Soto; LP: B. Wise)
5 vs. Clearwater 6:00 PM - WON 4-3 (WP: E. Clelland; LP: N. Johnson; SV: F. Dolsi)
6 vs. Clearwater 1:00 PM - RAIN OUT (to be played 4/7/08)
7 vs. Clearwater 1:00 PM - WON 6-5 (WP: N. Martin; LP: A. Cruse; SV: E. Clelland)
7 vs. Clearwater 7:00 PM - LOST 2-3 (WP: B. Harker; LP: L. Marte; SV: B. Schlitter)
8 @ Sarasota 7:00 PM - LOST 3-7 (WP: J. Smith; LP: R. Porcello; SV: S. Watson)
9 @ Sarasota 7:00 PM - WON 4-2 (WP: D. Below; LP: A. Smit; SV: F. Dolsi)
10 @ Sarasota 7:00 PM - LOST 5-10 (WP: C. Vazquez; LP: J. Nickerson)
11 @ Clearwater 7:00 PM - LOST 0-1 (WP: A. Bastardo; LP: G. Benitez; SV: B. Schlitter)
12 @ Clearwater 6:30 PM - WON 5-4 (WP: A. Castro; LP: D. Brauer; SV: F. Dolsi)
13 @ Clearwater 1:00 PM - LOST 0-5 (WP: J. Savery; LP: R. Porcello)
14 vs. Sarasota 7:00 PM - LOST 4-9
15 vs. Sarasota 10:30 AM - WON 17-3
16 vs. Sarasota 7:00 PM - WON 6-2
18 vs. Tampa 7:00 PM - WON 4-1 (WP: L. Marte (1-1, 2.25))
19 @ Tampa 7:00 PM - LOST 0-3
20 @ Fort Myers 5:05 PM - LOST 2-6
21 @ Fort Myers 7:05 PM - LOST 4-10
22 @ Fort Myers 7:05 PM - LOST 9-10
23 vs. Dunedin 7:00 PM - WON 3-1
24 vs. Dunedin 10:30 AM - LOST 1-3
25 vs. Dunedin 7:00 PM - LOST 4-5
26 vs. Fort Myers 6:00 PM - WON 3-2
27 vs. Fort Myers 1:00 PM - WON 8-3
28 vs. Fort Myers 7:00 PM - LOST 3-4
30 @ Dunedin 7:00 PM - LOST 5-6

May (all times local unless noted)

1 @ Dunedin 7:00 PM - WON 7-2
2 @ Dunedin 7:00 PM - WON 5-4
3 @ St. Lucie 6:00 PM - WON 6-0
4 @ St. Lucie 5:00 PM - WON 8-3
5 @ St. Lucie 7:00 PM - WON 9-2 (WP: R. Porcello (2-4, 1.98))
6 @ St. Lucie 7:00 PM - LOST 3-6
7 vs. Vero Beach 7:00 PM - WON 8-4
8 vs. Vero Beach 7:00 PM - WON 4-3
9 vs. Vero Beach 7:00 PM - LOST 2-5
10 vs. Vero Beach 6:00 PM - WON 6-2 WP: R. Porcello (3-4, 1.74)
12 @ Tampa 7:00 PM - WON 6-2
13 @ Tampa 7:00 PM - LOST 1-3
14 @ Tampa 7:00 PM - WON 1-0
15 vs. Dunedin 7:00 PM - WON 8-7
16 vs. Dunedin 7:00 PM - WON 4-1
17 vs. Dunedin 6:00 PM - LOST 2-4
18 vs. Palm Beach 6:00 PM - WON 4-0
19 vs. Palm Beach 7:00 PM - LOST 2-13
20 vs. Palm Beach 7:00 PM - LOST 2-5
21 vs. Palm Beach 7:00 PM - WON 12-11
22 @ Jupiter 7:05 PM - Postponed: Rain
23 @ Jupiter Game 1 - WON 3-2 in 9 innings
23 @ Jupiter Game 2 - WON 8-0 in 7 innings
24 @ Jupiter 6:05 PM - Delayed: Rain
25 @ Jupiter Game 1 - LOST 2-3
25 @ Jupiter Game 2 - LOST 4-6 7 innings
27 vs. Tampa 7:00 PM - LOST 3-4 (LP: R. Porcello (3-5, 2.48))
28 vs. Tampa 7:00 PM - WON 4-0
29 vs. Tampa 7:00 PM - LOST 4-5
30 @ Dunedin 7:00 PM - WON 11-5
31 @ Dunedin 7:00 PM - WON 10-7

June (all times local unless noted)

1 @ Dunedin 1:00 PM - LOST 0-4
2 vs. Sarasota 7:00 PM - LOST 2-8
3 vs. Sarasota 7:00 PM - LOST 8-10
4 vs. Sarasota 7:00 PM - WON 6-1
5 @ Daytona 7:05 PM - LOST 3-13
6 @ Daytona 7:05 PM - LOST 4-12
7 @ Daytona 7:05 PM - LOST 3-4 in 13 innings
8 @ Daytona 5:35 PM -WON 7-2
9 vs. Brevard County 7:00 PM - LOST 1-4
10 vs. Brevard County 7:00 PM - LOST 5-9
11 vs. Brevard County 7:00 PM - WON 7-4
12 vs. Brevard County 7:00 PM - Cancelled: Rain
16 @ Sarasota 7:00 PM - WON 3-2
17 @ Sarasota 7:00 PM - WON 5-2
18 @ Sarasota 11:00 AM - LOST 2-8

(thanks to gogetemtigers for originally posting this)


Lakeland Flying Tigers
Class A (Advanced) team in the Florida State League

CLICK HERE FOR SCHEDULE AND RESULTS
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECOND HALF OF SEASON

WINS - 32, LOSSES - 36

19 vs. Tampa 7:00 PM - WON 6-3
20 @ Tampa 7:00 PM - LOST 2-3
21 @ Tampa 7:00 PM - Postponed: Wet Grounds
22 vs. Jupiter 6:00 PM - WON 10-4
23 vs. Jupiter 7:00 PM - LOST 7-14
24 vs. Jupiter 10:30 AM - WON 4-2
25 vs. Jupiter 7:00 PM - Cancelled: Rain
26 vs. Daytona 7:00 PM - Postponed: Rain
27 vs. Daytona GAME 1 - WON 4-2 in 7 innings
27 vs. Daytona GAME 2 - LOST 3-0 in 7 innings
28 vs. Daytona 6:00 PM - WON 2-1
29 vs. Daytona 6:00 PM - WON 3-2 IN 20 innings!

July (all times local unless noted)

1 @ Clearwater 7:00 PM - LOST 5-6
2 @ Clearwater 7:00 PM - Suspended: Rain
3 @ Clearwater 7:00 PM - LOST 3-4
4 vs. Fort Myers 5:00 PM - LOST 1-2
5 vs. Fort Myers 6:00 PM - WON 7-6
6 vs. Fort Myers 6:00 PM - WON 7-6
7 @ Brevard County 7:00 PM - LOST 5-9
8 @ Brevard County 7:00 PM - WON 9-0 (WP: R. Porcello)
9 @ Brevard County 7:00 PM - WON 5-1 (WP: R. Garcia)
10 @ Brevard County 7:00 PM - WON 7-5 (WP: Z. Simons; SV: R. Weinhardt)
11 @ Palm Beach 7:05 PM - LOST 5-7 (LP: K. Pearson)
12 @ Palm Beach 6:05 PM - LOST 6-7 (LP: J. Sborz)
13 @ Palm Beach 6:05 PM - WON 6-5 in 10 innings
14 @ Palm Beach 7:05 PM - LOST 0-1 (LP: G. Moscoso)
16 vs. St. Lucie 7:00 PM - Postponed: Rain
17 vs. St. Lucie 7:00 PM - LOST 2-5 (LP: D. Below)
17 vs. St. Lucie, WON 6-3 (WP: J. Nickerson; SV: R. Weinhardt)
18 vs. St. Lucie 7:00 PM - Postponed: Rain
19 vs. St. Lucie - LOST 1-9 (LP: M. O'Brien)
19 vs. St. Lucie - WON 4-1 (WP: R. Porcello; SV: C. Satterwhite)
20 @ Vero Beach 1:00 PM - LOST 4-5 (LP: J. Sborz)
21 @ Vero Beach 7:00 PM - WON 13-5 (WP: K. Pearson)
22 @ Vero Beach 7:00 PM - WON 6-4 (WP: D. Below; SV: C. Satterwhite)
23 @ Vero Beach 7:00 PM - WON 11-5 (WP: J. Nickerson; SV: Z. Simons)
24 vs. Sarasota 7:00 PM - LOST 11-17 (LP: M. O'Brien)
25 vs. Sarasota 7:00 PM - LOST 1-6 (LP: D. Witt)
26 vs. Sarasota 6:00 PM - WON 5-4 (WP: G. Moscoso)
28 vs. Tampa 7:00 PM - LOST 5-6 (LP: D. Below)
29 vs. Tampa 7:00 PM - WON 7-1 (WP: J. Nickerson)
30 vs. Tampa 7:00 PM - WON 6-5 (WP: J. Sborz)
31 @ Sarasota 7:00 PM - LOST 0-1 (LP: D. Willis)

August (all times local unless noted)

1 @ Sarasota 7:00 PM - WON 6-4 (WP: R. Perry; SV: J. Sborz)
2 @ Sarasota 6:00 PM - LOST 2-3 (LP: Z. Simons)
3 @ Tampa 1:00 PM - WON 4-2 (WP: J. Nickerson; SV: R. Weinhardt)
4 @ Tampa 7:00 PM - LOST 5-10 (LP: A. Figaro)
5 vs. Clearwater 7:00 PM - LOST 1-5 (LP: D. Willis)
6 vs. Clearwater 7:00 PM - LOST 4-6 (LP: R. Perry)
7 vs. Clearwater 7:00 PM - LOST 4-10 (LP: J. Tata)
8 vs. Dunedin 7:00 PM - WON 4-3 (WP: D. Below; SV: R. Perry)
9 vs. Dunedin 6:00 PM - LOST 6-8 (LP: R. Weinhardt)
10 vs. Dunedin 6:00 PM - LOST 2-5 (LP: D. Willis)
11 @ Clearwater - GAME 1 - LOST 4-13 (LP: A. Figaro)
11 @ Clearwater - GAME 2 - LOST 0-1 (LP: A. Figaro)
12 @ Clearwater 7:00 PM - WON 3-1 (WP: R. Porcello; SV: R. Perry)
13 @ Clearwater 7:00 PM - LOST 1-8 (LP: J. Tata)
14 @ Fort Myers 7:05 PM - LOST 5-6 (LP: R. Garcia)
15 @ Fort Myers 7:05 PM - WON 9-0 (WP: J. Nickerson)
16 @ Fort Myers 6:05 PM - LOST 1-5 (LP: A. Figaro)
17 vs. Tampa 6:00 PM - LOST 3-4 (LP: L. Oliveros)
18 vs. Tampa 7:00 PM - Cancelled: Rain
20 vs. Fort Myers 7:00 PM - WON 9-7 (WP: R. Weinhardt; SV: R. Perry)
21 vs. Fort Myers 7:00 PM - LOST 1-8 (LP: J. Nickerson)
22 vs. Fort Myers 7:00 PM - Postponed: Rain
23 @ Dunedin 7:00 PM - LOST 2-6 (LP: A. Figaro)
24 @ Dunedin 1:00 PM - LOST 2-3 (LP: R. Perry)
25 @ Dunedin 7:00 PM - WON 7-1 (WP: D. Below)
26 @ Fort Myers 7:05 PM - WON 7-5 (WP: L. Oliveros; SV: R. Garcia)
27 @ Fort Myers GAME 1 - WON 1-0 (WP: R. Porcello; SV: J. Sborz)
27 @ Fort Myers, GAME 2 - LOST 2-8 (LP: D. Witt)
28 @ Fort Myers 7:05 PM - LOST 3-6 (LP: A. Figaro)
29 vs. Clearwater 7:00 PM - WON 11-10 (WP: D. Witt)
30 vs. Clearwater 6:00 PM - LOST 3-9 (LP: R. Garcia)
31 vs. Clearwater 1:00 PM - WON 7-1 (WP: J. Nickerson; SV: R. Weinhardt)

04/03/2008 10:26 PM ET
Porcello dazzles in pro debut
Detroit's top pick tosses five scoreless innings as Lakeland wins opener, 4-1
By Kevin T. Czerwinski / MLB.com

TAMPA, Fla. -- Rick Porcello's first professional pitch, a fastball strike, crackled over home plate at George M. Steinbrenner Field shortly after 7 p.m. Thursday night.

He delivered his 71st and final offering, also a fastball, just over an hour later, and the result was the same. In between, Porcello was mostly dominant, tossing five shutout innings as Lakeland opened its Florida State League season with a 4-1 victory over Tampa.

Porcello (1-0), Detroit's top pick in last June's First-Year Player Draft (27th overall), allowed just one hit, an infield single in the second inning. He struck out three, walked two and hit a batter. The 19-year-old right-hander struggled to get through the fifth, needing 22 pitches to complete the inning.

"It's always nice to get your first pro win," Porcello said. "For me it was definitely nice. I'm looking forward to getting some more. I was a little nervous in the bullpen, but when I got out on the field, I felt OK. As I started throwing, I got better and better. I wasn't bothered at all."

It took Porcello nine pitches and less than three minutes to make it through the first. Tampa managed three weak ground balls, the last of which was a Mitch Hilligoss comebacker to Porcello. The entire Lakeland squad was on the top step of the dugout waiting for the teenager as he came off the field.

Edwar Gonzalez led off the second by squibbing a 1-2 fastball between the mound and the third-base line. Porcello bounded off the hill, fielded the ball and made an off-balance throw that Gonzalez just beat out for Tampa's only hit against him. He made Seth Fortenberry his first strikeout victim before retiring Josue Calzado and Kyle Anson to strand Gonzalez.

"[Porcello] pitched very well," Lakeland manager Andy Barkett said. "He was poised out there. He might have been nervous but if he was, you couldn't tell. He does everything very well. He didn't seem like a 19-year-old kid out there. You really couldn't ask for anything more from him. Whether he's 19 or 25, to get five strong innings like that in your pro debut is impressive."

Porcello hadn't gone to a full count prior to the fifth, but walked Anson with one out. He appeared to be on his way out of trouble when he got first baseman Kevin Smith to hit a grounder. But Lakeland shortstop Cale Iorg bobbled what appeared to be an easy double-play ball and was only able to register a fielder's choice at second base. Porcello then walked Tim Battle, whom he had hit with a pitch in the third.

A visit from pitching coach Joe Coleman seemed to calm Porcello down. After Damon Sublett took him to another full count, he struck out the second baseman to end the threat. Even if Porcello, whose fastball was in the low 90s for much of the evening with a high of 94, had breezed through the inning, it would have been his last. He was on a 75-pitch limit or five innings, whichever came first.

"I wasn't tired in the fifth inning," said Porcello, who was also charged with an error on a pick-off throw after hitting Battle. "My arm slot just dropped a little bit. I started to lose control a little. I just have to go back out there and get after it.

"Joe said to bear down and go after the last hitter. It wasn't exactly pretty, but I got him. I walked a couple of guys and lost some control. It's something I have to work on, but otherwise everything went pretty well."

Barkett indicated that had Porcello not been on a count, he would have pitched deeper into the game despite his fifth-inning struggles.

"Joe Coleman went out there and let him know what adjustments to make," Barkett said. "It was impressive that he was able to make the adjustment and get through the inning. I wouldn't say he was out of gas. He had enough left to go another inning."

The Tigers snapped a scoreless tie in the top of the sixth by scoring three times off Tampa starter Eric Hacker (0-1). Ryan Strieby's RBI single put Lakeland ahead before Brennan Boesch connected for a two-run double. Iorg added an RBI triple in the seventh.

Kevin Czerwinski is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Oh yeah, minor league baseball!

I have updated the first post. Feel free to edit it for me when I forget (which will be quite often)

03/22/2008 10:00 AM ET
Tigers prospects hungry to prove themselves
Porcello, Larish, Iorg among youngsters standing out this spring
By Kevin T. Czerwinski / MLB.com

MiLB.com will be visiting each Spring Training site in the Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues this month to report on the most significant stories involving each club's Minor League system as players get ready for the 2008 season. We'll find out who's impressing the organization, who's hot, who's not and sit down for an exclusive Q&A with a top prospect.

Team name: Detroit Tigers
Location: Lakeland, Fla.
Date: March 20, 2008

Burning Question

Have the Tigers exhausted their farm system over the last 18 months with the deals they made to strengthen the big-league club?

The steady stream of prospects that has been heading out of Detroit for the better part of two years would be enough to make most farm directors and player development people cry. Cameron Maybin, Andrew Miller, Jair Jurrjens, Dallas Trahern, Burke Badenhop, Eulogio de la Cruz, Gorkys Hernandez, Mike Rabelo, Humberto Sanchez and Kevin Whelan have all headed to points outside the Motor City, a group exodus that would leave most organizations struggling to fill in the gaps.

Yet the tears that are being shed in Detroit remain tears of joy. Not only did general manager Dave Dombrowski stock the parent club with a veritable all-star team -- the returns on those prospects were high -- but scouting director David Chadd has kept the pipeline from Toledo, Erie and points below strong with several solid drafts. Throw in the fact that the Tigers continue to develop their players very well -- both domestic and imported -- and it's easy to see that while there will be a dropoff in talent level, the fall won't be nearly as far as some skeptics think.

"Everyone ought to realize that we had a lot of Minor League players to begin with," director of player development Glenn Ezell said. "And we still have a lot of young guys if they're willing to take the challenge. There are some opportunities there. It's our job as instructors and coaches to present these challenges, and they have to make them work.

"We're going to be pursuing that with a whole lot of energy. We're not dry. I'm not saying we have guys who are going to be Major League All-Stars. But we have guys who are going to make themselves players -- and good ones."

So unlike the Mets, who emptied an already sparse vault to land Johan Santana, the Tigers have much fewer concerns. They are stocked with gritty, capable infielders like Scott Sizemore and Michael Hollimon, they have power coming from the likes of Jeff Larish and Matt Joyce and they still have plenty of good arms, many of which are already Major League ready.

The top of that list is occupied by last year's first-rounder, Rick Porcello. The hard-throwing former prep star has a blistering mid-90s fastball and a world of talent behind it. It wouldn't be much of a surprise to see him make his Major League debut sometime in 2009 or 2010 at the latest.

So while the Tigers are clearly built to win this year, they have the parts to keep that machine working for several more to come. Detroit has a wonderful group of managers and coaches in the Minors, and the impact they've had on the bevy of talented young players has been impressive -- one more reason why this team can't be counted out of the prospect game.

Other News of the Day

SS Cale Iorg didn't take long to make an impression on Ezell. A sixth-rounder from last year's draft, Iorg is doing all the little things well. "You know a guy with his last name is going to have good genes," Ezell said. "He has a very good understanding of the game, which doesn't surprise me. He has very good tools." Iorg spent two years on a Mormon mission prior to getting drafted, so he's a bit older and hasn't played in a while, but Ezell doesn't seem to think that will pose too much of a problem. "He hasn't played in a few years, so he has to learn that this is an everyday battle and what that's all about. You have to figure that out and experience the routine personally. I'm sure he's experienced it through his dad [former big-leaguer Garth Iorg] and heard a lot about the daily routine, but it's not the same until you go through it." ... Don't expect Michael Hollimon to miss too much time because of a dislocated shoulder he suffered in a Major League game on Monday while attempting to make a diving stop at third base. The MRI results were negative and Hollimon should begin rehabbing in short order before heading off to Toledo. ... OF Matt Joyce figures to spend the season in Toledo alongside Hollimon. He had a bit of an arm issue early in camp while he was on the Major League side, but it hasn't been a problem over the last few weeks. Ezell praised the youngster's ability, but also said, "Joyce has to put himself in a position to be good. He just has to realize he has those tools and utilize them every day."

Five Questions with Jeff Larish

MiLB.com: If you could have dinner with one person from history, living or dead, real or fictional, who would it be and why?

JL: Jesus, because he's the only perfect person who ever lived. I'd love to sit down with him because I'd have a ton of questions to ask him, but I can't even think of what the biggest one would be right now.

MiLB.com: What's your greatest accomplishment, on or off the field?

JL: Baseball-wise it was playing in the College World Series [with Arizona State in 2005]. With the team we had, with all the ups and downs we had that season and went through, it was such a great experience to go through it with those guys. Off the field, it's probably being able to keep my fiancé Julia around.

MiLB.com: Who was your favorite player growing up and why?

JL: I liked Ken Griffey Jr. and Barry Bonds. I love to watch the way Bonds hit and played the game. He came by one day during my senior year and I got a chance to meet him and he worked with us. It means a lot when, in my mind, the greatest hitter to ever play the game shows up. He just told us to relax and trust ourselves. I went through some things my junior year and at the beginning of my senior year and I really wasn't relaxed. It was the best advice I got because it really hit home.

MiLB.com: What's the last book you read?

JL: The bible. I pick it up whenever I can and look through it. There's not anything that sticks out about it. When you're going through something or have some adversity, you can go and read the scripture. The bible I have has a part in the back that tells you what stories pertain to different situations. And some scriptures really help me with what I have to go through.

MiLB.com: Who is the biggest character you've met during your time in the Minor Leagues?

JL: It would have to be Erick Almonte. He jokes around all the time and he has a way about him. Even if he's not getting the results he wants, he's able to come back to the bench and joke around. You really need people like that on your team.

Lasting Impression

It's difficult for Rick Porcello not to make an impression every time he steps on the mound. The youngster whom the Tigers grabbed with their top pick last June is clearly very special, despite the fact that he's less than a year removed from sitting in a high school classroom. Ezell said he saw the teenager pitch recently and said simply, "He was very good."

That said, don't go anointing Porcello as the ace of the staff in Detroit just yet. The kid still hasn't thrown an official professional inning, and there's still a ton that he has to learn.

"Him in particular, he has to learn how to start," Ezell said. "The routine of pitch, off-day, off-day, throw, that kind of thing. This kid is going to be able to figure it out, though, a lot more quickly than anyone else. He has a presence about him. He's not shocked if there's a lot going on around him.

"That will help him through any tough times. He has a quiet confidence and when you watch him, you see that confidence. It's like he looks at a situation and says, 'This is a challenge. OK, now watch this, watch this, watch this.' It's quite a thing to look at."

Parting Shot

Ezell was a bit defiant about the notion that the farm system is shot after trading for Miguel Cabrera and Dontrell Willis. Well, we all know it's not. So while the Tigers are running roughshod over the American League this summer -- imagine how many runs this team is going to score -- there will also be plenty of fireworks in Toledo and Erie as well.

Kevin Czerwinski is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Nice job re-updating the first post!

I have been looking up other minor league scores for the day. So far we're undefeated in openers

4/8/08 Game starts at 7:00 PM ET

Probables:

Lakeland - Rick Porcello 1-0, 0.00
Sarasota - Jordan Smith 1-0, 3.60

Looks like Porcello lost. Damn. They say this Lakeland team is bad - it's now 3-3...that's the 2nd worst record by one of the teams in the Tigers system. I think we all know who is 0-7

Tigers stud prospect Rick Porcello has 0.64 ERA in minors

FREE PRESS STAFF AND NEWS SERVICES • April 14, 2008

Tigers No. 1 prospect Rick Porcello is pitching well in the Tigers' minor league system, though it's not necessarily translating into wins.

Porcello is 1-2 with Class A Lakeland after losing Sunday night's game, 5-0, to Clearwater.

The 19-year-old took the loss despite giving up just one earned run in four innings. He gave up four hits, walked two and struck out five.

That was his weakest performance in an otherwise stunning start.

His ERA is a stingy 0.64.

In his first two games, the 6-foot 5-inch, 200-pound right-hander had seven strikeouts, two walks and five hits allowed in 10 innings.

• In his professional debut April 3, he earned the win with five shutout innings, allowing one hit, striking out three and walking two.

• Five days later, he took the loss despite giving up no earned runnings and just four hits in five innings. He struck out four and walked none. He lost because of four unearned runs as his team committed five errors.

It's unlikely the Tigers would call up Porcello, their first-round pick last year, straight from Class A. Last season, Cameron Maybin was a surprise call-up, but he was promoted to Double-A Erie for a few games before coming to the majors.

Porcello, 19, also is three years younger than Justin Verlander was at the start of his first full professional season. Verlander had three years of collegiate experience at Old Dominion University before he was drafted.

But during spring training, Tigers assistant general manager Al Avila acknowledged that everything about Porcello -- his composure, his maturity, his command, and the quality of his pitches -- points to a pitcher who is close to the major leagues.

Sarasota 2 Lakeland 6
4/16/08

Cale Iorg continues to rip the ball picking up his 3rd homer, a double, and a walk. James Skelton singled and walked twice. Michael Bertram had 2 hits and a walk. Matt O’Brien gets the win allowing 2 runs on 8 hits, no walks, and 2 K’s in 6 innings.

Scouting Report: Rick Porcello Update
April 16th, 2008

By Kiley McDaniel

Rick Porcello is really, really good. I’d like to be more specific, but I already wrote an intro for him in the previous full write-up here. He got a bunch of money, people think he’s great and he pitches near where I live.

So, why am I writing about him again, other than to just rack up more hits from Tigers and prospect fans? No reason, just to rack up some hits.

Okay, actually I saw him again and think Porcello is in the class that everyone will want to know what his stuff looks like each time I see him. The guy he squared off against, Phillies LHP Joe Savery, and a guy I saw a few days before, Twins RHP Deolis Guerra (both will full reports coming) are the next two best pitching prospects in this league and won’t be getting this treatment (unless readers demand it).

So, sit back, relax, and enjoy Porcello lovefest, version 2.0, after the jump…

Here’s some Porcello video I took from this outing, live from the best ballpark experience in the state of Florida, home of Phillies spring training and the FSL’s Clearwater Threshers…




I won’t cover everything in full-detail here, just an update. Take a look at the first report on Porcello for the full rundown if that’s what you’re looking for.

Fastball - He sat 90-92 in this outing but had better sink on the pitch and it played almost like a traditional sinker rather than just a live fastball. He was painting corners and looked like a veteran. Updated grade: 60/65

Slider - He still used this in place of a curveball and still only used the slider sparingly, at 78-80. He used it well, back-dooring it to LHH, and away from RHH. The pitch showed more crispness today, but still backed up and floated a few times. Updated grade: 50/55

Changeup - His go-to outpitch again, but relied more on the bowling-ball fastball the majority of the time in this outing. Hung a few, but the deception was good enough to still get swings and misses at this level with bad location. Just falls off the table when it’s down. Updated grade: 55/60

Command - His mechanics still failed him later in the outing (near end of video) as he fought his himself and hung some fastballs and was pulled at the end of the inning. He still hung a few off-speed pitches but about 90% of the time was spot on. Updated grade: 50/60

Summary - Here’s the boxscore. He only got through 4 IP because was hit hard in the 1st inning (pitch count?), there was intermittent rain, and he fought his mechanics late. He still threw only a few breaking balls, all sliders, and only a few curveballs were even worked into warm-up pitches. It’s become clear his go-to hammer in high school is being put on the shelf as he fine-tunes his sinker-change combo, since it would be foolish to scrap the pitch altogether. His mechanics and command are surprisingly consistent for a 19-year-old, particularly a power-pitcher. I think average command and a plus sinker-change combo is better than most back-end starters in the big leagues. But, improving the consistency and working the curve back in, whenever Detroit plans on it, is what will keep him in the minors, and that’s what lets me boost the raw OFP. I’m very tempted to boost the AOFP to 64, probably will when I see the curve; not sure how many minor leaguers have ever gotten that grade.

Adjusted Overall Future Potential: 63

Present Group: C, Future Group: A

Projected Role: #1 starter

ETA: Ready to contribute now, full-time in MLB by All-Star break 2009

04/26/2008 10:10 PM ET
Nickerson loses perfect game in eighth
Outduels rehabbing big leaguer Slowey in Flying Tigers' 3-2 win
By Tom Cardinale / Special to MLB.com

The crowd at Lakeland's Joker Marchant Stadium was treated to a rare occurrence on Saturday: 12 combined innings of no-hit baseball.

Jonah Nickerson retired the first 21 batters he faced to outduel rehabbing Major Leaguer Kevin Slowey as the Lakeland Flying Tigers held on for a 3-2 victory over the Fort Myers Miracle.

Making the second of three expected rehab starts, Slowey hurled five hitless innings to keep the game scoreless.

"It was a little frustrating," Nickerson admitted. "But I knew at some point we would score some runs and I had to keep going out and doing my job. It actually helped a little bit; I was able to get into a rhythm and not sit too long and get cold."

The Flying Tigers finally got on the board in the sixth, taking advantage of two errors by Fort Myers third baseman Daniel Valencia and getting an RBI double from Justin Justice.

Nickerson protected the 2-0 lead, recording three groundouts in the seventh to keep his perfect game intact.

"I was aware [of the perfect game], I realized it early, but I didn't start thinking about it until the fifth inning," he said. "I was just sitting where I normally sat. Guys were doing their own thing. No one mentioned it or said anything about it."

The Most Outstanding Player at the 2006 College World Series took the mound in the eighth with a 3-0 cushion, but his quest for history ended when Johnny Woodward looped a leadoff single to center field.

"I was thankful for the game I had, but at the same time, those types of hits could've happened in the first inning and that kind of ran through my head that I'd just went seven innings of perfect baseball," Nickerson said. "I wasn't mad about it, that's baseball; those types of hits are going to fall. That's why that situation is so rare."

The 23-year-old right-hander sandwiched singles around a flyout before exiting. Reliever Angel Castro promptly surrendered a two-run triple to Whitney Robbins as Nickerson was charged with two runs on two hits with four strikeouts over 7 1/3 innings.

Castro avoided further damage and Ed Clelland recorded the final three outs for his second save.

For Nickerson, it was another brush with perfection that came up short. He set down the first 18 batters last July 28 for Class A West Michigan.

Nickeron's was the latest exceptional start for a member of the Flying Tigers' rotation. Luis Marte tossed seven hitless innings on April 18 and followed that up by yielding an unearned run over seven frames on Wednesday.

"Each guy on our staff is different," Nickerson said. "[Marte's] had success just attacking guys with his fastball. He's got a great arm. It helps when other guys are having success.

"Each time I go out and have a good start I cherish it. Sometimes they're tough to come by, especially the way I've been pitching, but I think it could be a big confidence boost. I'll remember this for a while with my other accomplishments."

A seventh-round pick in the 2006 draft, Nickerson hopes Saturday's outing will mark a turning point in his season after entering with a 1-2 record and 7.64 ERA in four starts.

"I think it's just going to give me confidence," he added. "The biggest adjustment was really just throwing strike one and getting the confidence to do what I want with the hitters."

Reliever Matthew Fox (1-1) took the loss for Fort Myers after allowing three unearned runs on three hits in two innings.

Tom Cardinale is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

05/03/2008 9:33 PM ET
O'Brien delights family, friends
Tigers prospect tosses one-hitter, faces one over mininum
By Alan Friedman / Special to MLB.com

Talk about pressure.

Matt O'Brien got the start for the Lakeland Flying Tigers on Saturday at St. Lucie, where some two dozen family and friends drove over from nearby Palm Beach to watch him pitch. His personal cheering section was not disappointed.

O'Brien faced one batter over the minimum and fired a one-hitter for his first professional nine-inning shutout as the Flying Tigers blanked the Mets, 6-0, at Tradition Field.

The 2004 15th-round draft pick didn't give up a hit until Jamar Hill grounded a single up the middle with one out in the sixth inning. Hill was promptly erased on a double play, as was one of the two walks O'Brien (3-0) issued while fanning three and lowering his ERA to 3.09.

"I kept my fastball down and was able to throw all three pitches [fastball, curve, splitter] for strikes," he said. "This is the best I've located my pitches so far and the best I've felt."

O'Brien threw a seven-inning shutout for short-season Oneonta of the New York-Penn League on June 27, 2006.

A no-hitter "is in the back of your mind," he said. And while he was somewhat disappointed after giving up the single, the 25-year-old right-hander was satisfied that a double play followed and he was able to get his team off the field.

"You want to work as fast as you can and get your team back on offense," he said.

O'Brien's one-hitter is the latest of several strong pitching performances by the Flying Tigers (14-15) this season. Luis Marte tossed seven hitless innings in a 4-1 victory over Tampa on April 18 and Jonah Nickerson took a perfect game into the eighth on April 26 against Fort Myers.

"I've got to keep pace with the other starters," O'Brien said.

And as for the large contingent of supporters among the 2,647 fans at Tradition Field, he remarked, "You think about it a little before the game, but once you start pitching, you're completely focused."

Justin Justice, Jeramy Laster and Cale Iorg backed O'Brien with solo homers as Lakeland won its third straight.

Nicholas Carr (0-3) was the hard-luck loser for the Mets (7-22), allowing two runs on three hits and three walks with seven strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings.

Alan Friedman is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

STANDINGS:

1. Fort Myers (26-15)
2. Tampa (24-17, 2 GB)
3. Lakeland (23-18, 3 GB)
4. Sarasota (22-19, 4 GB)
5. Dunedin (21-20, 5 GB)
6. Clearwater (16-25, 10 GB)

We can still do this!

05/18/2008 10:05 PM ET
Nickerson loses no-hitter in eighth
Infield single ends right-hander's third late-inning bid
By Daren Smith / MLB.com

Jonah Nickerson knew pretty early that he would pitch a good game Sunday. He just didn't think it would be that good.

Nickerson took a no-hitter into the eighth inning for the second time this season as the Lakeland Flying Tigers blanked the Palm Beach Cardinals, 4-0, at Joker Marchant Stadium.

"I'm not really a big strikeout guy and I struck out the side in the first inning," the 23-year-old right-hander said. "I just built on that. I didn't predict I'd be taking a no-hitter into the eighth inning, but I knew I felt good. It was just one of those days."

Nickerson (4-3) already has had three of "those days" in his three-year Minor League career. He retired the first 21 batters against Fort Myers on April 26 and took a perfect game into the seventh for Class A West Michigan last July 28.

"I'm aware of it, it's just not something I think about every time I go out there," the 2006 seventh-round Draft pick said.

Like that start on April 26, Nickerson realized around the fifth inning that he had not allowed a baserunner. But his latest bid for perfection ended when he grazed Donovan Solano with a pitch with one out in the sixth.

"I went inside with a fastball and clipped his jersey," Nickerson said. "I wouldn't even call it hitting the guy."

Solano remained the Cardinals' lone baserunner until the eighth, when Daniel Descalso hit a chopper over the mound. Second baseman Louis Ott backhanded it and made a jump throw to first that was a couple of steps late.

"As soon as I saw the ball over my head, I kind of knew he was probably going to get a hit on it. It had some top spin on it," Nickerson said. "I wasn't sure if the second baseman was going to make the play.

"At that point, if I could just get into the ninth inning, I thought I'd have a good chance to get [the no-hitter]. It wasn't the night for it to happen, I guess."

Nickerson's night ended after he walked Solano. The Most Outstanding Player at the 2006 College World Series allowed just a hit and a walk while recording a season-high eight strikeouts.

After recording a 7.64 ERA in his first four starts, Nickerson is 3-1 with a 3.15 ERA in his last five outings.

"The big thing for me today was throwing my curveball for a strike," he said. "I got a few outs on my changeup, was able to throw that a few times behind in the count. I was trying to be aggressive with my fastball."

Against Fort Myers last month, Nickerson dueled with rehabbing Major Leaguer Kevin Slowey in a game that was scoreless into the sixth. On Sunday, the Flying Tigers (24-19) staked him to a quick lead as Ryan Strieby doubled in a run in the first and scored on Brennan Boesch's base hit. Jeramy Laster added a two-run homer in the third.

"I was feeling pretty good today and if we got a couple of runs, I knew it'd be enough at that point," Nickerson said. "It definitely made it a lot easier to pitch with confidence as opposed to the last game, when I threw against Slowey."

Jay Sborz worked around a hit and two walks in a scoreless inning and Brendan Wise got the last out for his first save of the season.

Brandon Dickson (2-4) surrendered four runs on six hits and three walks with five strikeouts over four innings for Palm Beach (26-17).

Daren Smith is an editor for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

The Florida State League 2008 All-Star teams have been announced by League President, Chuck Murphy. Shortstop Cale Iorg, right handed pitcher Matt O'Brien, right handed pitcher Rick Porcello, second baseman Scott Sizemore, and catcher James Skelton will represent the Flying Tigers at the 47th annual FSL All-Star Game. The game will take place at Space Coast Stadium in Viera, FL, home of the Brevard County Manatees, on Saturday, June 14 at 7:30 p.m.

Flying Tigers shortstop, Cale Iorg currently leads the Flying Tigers with 29 runs scored and with 3 triples. In 183 at-bats, Iorg also has 49 hits, 5 doubles, 6 home runs, and 24 RBIs. The University of Alabama product was selected in the sixth round of the June 2007 draft by the Detroit Tigers. After the 2007 season, Iorg was named the second-best prospect and the best athlete in the Tigers organization by Baseball America. The 2008 all-star game will mark his first as a professional.

Matt O'Brien, a native of Royal Palm Beach, FL, is putting together another solid season. O'Brien, the Tigers 15th round selection in the June 2004 draft, is posting a 3-1 record with a 3.02 ERA. In 53.2 innings pitched, he has given up 46 hits, while walking 10, and striking out 22. His 3.02 ERA is 10th best in the FSL. O'Brien will appear in his first FSL All-Star Game.

Rick Porcello, the Tigers 2007 1st round draft choice (27th overall), will appear in his first professional all-star game. In his first season as a professional, Porcello leads the Flying Tigers pitching staff with a 2.48 ERA, which is 6th best in the FSL. In 58 innings pitched, he has surrendered 52 hits, while walking 14, and striking out 35. Prior to the start of the 2008 season, Baseball America tabbed Porcello as the Tigers top prospect.

Scott Sizemore, the Tigers 5th round selection in the June 2006 draft, leads the Flying Tigers in hits with 50 and in steals with 13. He is tied for second on the team with 49 games played and with 8 doubles. In 188 at-bats, Sizemore not only has 50 hits and 8 doubles, but also 20 RBIs, 22 walks, and 13 stolen bases. He was named the third-best prospect and the best hitter for average in the Tigers organization by Baseball America following the 2007 season. Sizemore will appear in his first FSL All-Star Game.

Flying Tigers catcher, James Skelton will also appear in his first FSL All-Star Game. In 115 at-bats, the Tigers 14th round selection in the June 2004 draft, has 30 hits, 11 RBIs, and 28 walks. The West Covina, CA native leads the team with a .403 on-base percentage. Baseball America named Skelton the 27th best prospect in the Tigers organization at the conclusion of the 2007 season.

Former Flying Tiger, Luis Marte was also selected to represent the West Division, however he is unavailable due to his recent promotion to the Tigers Double A Affiliate, the Erie Seawolves. Prior to his promotion, Marte had a 3-2 record with a 1.98 ERA. In the seven games he started, he only gave up nine earned runs and recorded 41 strikeouts.

Tickets for the FSL All-Star Game are available by calling the Brevard County Manatees at (321) 633-9200.

Tickets for all remaining Flying Tigers home games can be purchased online at www.lakelandflyingtigers.com and at the Joker Marchant Stadium Box Office located at 2301 Lakeland Hills Boulevard in Lakeland. Box office hours are Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information, please call the Flying Tigers at (863) 686-8075 or visit the online home of the Flying Tigers at www.lakelandflyingtigers.com.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Flying Tigers starting pitcher Jonah Nickerson was named Pitcher of the Week by the Florida State League (FSL). The selection was for the period of May 12-18. Nickerson will be honored with the award before the Flying Tigers take on the Tampa Yankees on Wednesday, May 28 at 7:00 p.m at Joker Marchant Stadium.

During the week of May 12-18, Nickerson was 1-1 with a 1.84 ERA. In 14.2 innings pitched, he allowed only 9 hits, walked 2, and struck out 13 batters. In his May 18 start, Nickerson had a no-hitter going into the eighth inning before allowing an infield single with two outs.

In Nickerson's latest start against the Jupiter Hammerheads on Friday, May 23, he pitched a 7 inning complete game, while giving up only 3 hits and striking out a season high 10 batters.

Nickerson was selected by the Detroit Tigers in the seventh round of the June 2006 draft. He was named the Most Outstanding Player in the NCAA World Series when he led Oregon State to a national championship in 2006.

This is the second consecutive week a Flying Tigers pitcher has won this award. Rick Porcello was the Pitcher of the Week for the period of May 5-11.

The Flying Tigers are a Class A Affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. For more information, please call the Flying Tigers at (863) 686-8075.

The Flying Tigers will honor an original Flying Tiger, Dick Rossi in a season long tribute. Rossi passed away on Thursday, April 17th. To recognize his service and dedication to our country, the Flying Tigers will wear a patch containing his last name, "Rossi," on the right sleeve of their camouflage jerseys. The jerseys will be worn every Thursday the Flying Tigers play at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland this season. The Flying Tigers front office staff will also wear special t-shirts with "Rossi" on the right sleeve as well.

Shortly before the start of World War II, Rossi joined the Flying Tigers, pilots who traveled to China to defend our nation against attacks by the Japanese. Even though the Flying Tigers fought for less than a year, Rossi was credited for shooting down six Japanese planes. After the volunteer group disbanded, Rossi served as the president of the Flying Tigers Association for 65 years. During this time, he often shared his experiences and spoke about the Flying Tigers in interviews and air shows throughout the United States.

Rossi, along with all veterans, active, and future military were honored Saturday, May 17th during a very special "Armed Forces Extravaganza." During this event, the Flying Tigers and WLKF 1430 welcomed home Air Force Major Susan Romano from Iraq. The day also included a motorcade, live music by Buck Hummer and the Pick-Ups, presentations, a ceremony, and much more. A patriotic fireworks show presented by 97 Country WPCV and The Ledger followed the game.

The Flying Tigers next home game is tonight, May 18th against the Palm Beach Cardinals. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Sundays are Kids Days so kids (14 and under) will receive free admission and a coupon for a free sundae courtesy of Dairy Queen. Kids will also have the opportunity to play catch on the field prior to the start of the game and run the bases at the conclusion of the game.

Tickets for all Flying Tigers home games can be purchased in the "Tickets" section at www.lakelandflyingtigers.com or at the Joker Marchant Stadium Box Office located at 2301 Lakeland Hills Boulevard in Lakeland. Box office hours are Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information, please call the Flying Tigers at (863) 686-8075.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Lakeland - 6/22/08
Player	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	AVG
Roof 2B	5	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.264
Iorg SS	3	2	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	.266
Sheffield DH	3	2	1	0	0	1	1	1	0	.154
Boesch RF	4	2	2	0	0	0	1	0	0	.267
Strieby 1B	4	2	2	0	1	1	5	0	0	.255
Laster CF	4	1	1	0	0	1	1	0	2	.226
De Leon 3B	4	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	.312
Timm LF	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	.215
Thomas C	4	1	1	0	0	1	1	0	2	.267
Moscoso P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Witt P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Castro P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000

Sheff went 1 for 3 Sunday with a home run!

Tigers' Willis Expected to Go 2 Innings

special to The Ledger

Published: Sunday, June 29, 2008 at 7:42 a.m.
Last Modified: Sunday, June 29, 2008 at 9:02 a.m.

LAKELAND | Detroit Tiger pitcher Dontrelle Willis is expected to throw two innings out of the bullpen for the Lakeland Flying Tigers tonight at Joker Marchant Stadium against the Daytona Cubs. Game time is scheduled for 6 p.m.

Willis, currently on the disabled list, is in Lakeland on a rehabilitation assignment.

Today is Kids Day. All kids (14 and under) will receive free admission and a coupon for a free sundae courtesy of Dairy Queen. Kids also have the opportunity to play catch on the field prior to the start of the game and run the bases at the conclusion of the game (weather permitting).

Box seats are $6 and reserved seats are $5. Seniors and children (14 and under) receive a $1 discount.

bobrob2004 wrote:

Willis, currently on the disabled list, is in Lakeland on a rehabilitation assignment.

Ahh...I don't think so.

That's a nice way of putting it, doncha think?

6/29/08 Lakeland/Daytona game still going on - 15th inning tied at 2-2

Willis threw 7th and 8th innings with 1H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 0 K, 4.05 ERA

06/30/2008 1:09 AM ET

Box score

Flying Tigers win 20-inning marathon
Laster scores decisive run on error by Cubs' Chirinos
By Larry Fleisher / Special to MLB.com

Nearly six years ago, Lakeland Flying Tigers manager Andy Barkett was a position player forced to pitch in an extra-inning game. When he saw Daytona Cubs third baseman Jonathan Mota tire in his second inning of relief Sunday, he had an idea his team was finally going to push across a run.

Jeremy Laster scored on Robinson Chirinos' error with one out in the bottom of the 20th inning as the Flying Tigers outlasted the Daytona Cubs, 3-2, at Joker Marchant Stadium.

The contest lasted 6 hours, 6 minutes and is believed to be the 12th game in Florida State League history to go at least 20 innings. The last one was April 17, 2007, when the Clearwater Threshers topped the Tampa Yankees, 4-1, in 20 innings.

The Cubs and Flying Tigers each used eight pitchers. Mota, who went 0-for-8 while playing 18 innings in the field, pitched a hitless 19th but immediately ran into trouble in the 20th.

The 21-year-old "right-hander" hit Laster with a pitch and walked Brandon Timm. After Laster advanced to third on Michael Bertram's fly ball to right field, Santos De Leon hit a grounder that Chirinos misplayed for the decisive error.

"I had no idea [when we were going to score] because the kid threw well in the 19th," Barkett said, referring to Mota. "He was out of gas in the second inning and I was hoping we'd score then."

If the Flying Tigers were unable to score, Barkett's next pitcher would have been Timm, an outfielder who entered as a pinch-runner in the 16th. It would have been the exact same thing he remembered doing in the 17th inning in September 2002 for Double-A San Antonio when Barkett -- a first baseman -- surrendered four runs on four hits and retired two batters against Round Rock on the final day of the regular season.

Sunday's win went to Zach Simons (4-0), who struck out three over 2 2/3 innings, despite battling a sore throat.

Lakeland was an inning away from a 2-1 victory, but Jay Sborz could not protect the lead in the ninth. He gave up a leadoff double to Chirinos, who took third on a wild pitch and scored the tying run on Steve Clevenger's sacrifice fly.

"We felt positive, we kept going," Barkett said. "Those things happen at this level."

The Flying Tigers had a chance to break through in the 12th when Bertram hit a leadoff single. But he was doubled off first after Santo De Leon popped up a bunt attempt.

Lakeland loaded the bases in the 15th and 16th, but Matt Avery and James Skelton struck out to end those threats.

The Flying Tigers also ran themselves out of a chance in the 17th when Laster was picked off first. An inning later, DeLeon bounced into another double play.

"We had many opportunities to score," Barkett said. "Both teams had plenty of opportunities."

The teams combined to leave 33 on base, going 1-for-27 with runners in scoring position.

The Cubs' best chance in extra innings came in the 16th, when they left the bases loaded.

Larry Fleisher is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

PS. - Dontrelle Willis pitched his 1st game, for the Flying Tigers, in the 7th and 8th innings. His Stats:Batters faced: 10
Ground outs-fly outs: Willis 3-3
Hits: 1
Runs: 1
Earned Runs: 1
BB: 3
SS: 0
HR: 0
ERA: 4.50

WILLIS RECAP:

Daytona Top 7th

• Pitcher Change: Dontrelle Willis replaces Duane Below.
  
• Blake Lalli grounds out, shortstop Cale Iorg to first baseman Michael Bertram.
  
• Robinson Chirinos walks.
  
• Steve Clevenger singles on a ground ball to left fielder Pedro Cotto. Robinson Chirinos to 2nd.
  
• Ryan Harvey walks. Robinson Chirinos to 3rd. Steve Clevenger to 2nd.
  
• Russ
  Canzler flies into a force out, right fielder Brennan Boesch to
  shortstop Cale Iorg. Robinson Chirinos scores. Steve Clevenger to 3rd.
  Ryan Harvey out at 2nd. Russ Canzler to 1st.
  
• Darwin Barney grounds into a force out, shortstop Cale Iorg to second baseman Carmelo Jaime. Russ Canzler out at 2nd.
  

Daytona Top 8th

• Jonathan Mota walks.
  
• James Adduci pops out to catcher James Skelton in foul territory.
  
• Ty Wright flies out to left fielder Pedro Cotto.
  
• Blake Lalli flies out to left fielder Pedro Cotto.
  

Daytona Top 9th

• Pitcher Change: Jay Sborz replaces Dontrelle Willis.
  

WOW! 20 innings! That's great. 2 games for the price of one!

07/08/2008 11:25 PM ET
Former No. 1 pick nearly unhittable
Flying Tigers finally support Porcello in 9-0 rout of Manatees
By Alan Friedman / Special to MLB.com

Rick Porcello got some long-awaited run support Tuesday and responded with his best outing of the season.

The 19-year-old right-hander hurled six innings of one-hit ball as the Lakeland Flying Tigers cruised to a 9-0 rout of the Brevard County Manatees at Space Coast Stadium.

Porcello (5-6), who was selected with the 27th overall pick in the 2007 First-Year Player Draft, struck out two and walked one to lower his ERA to 2.60.

"It's the first time we've given him some run support," Lakeland manager Andy Barkett said. "Every game he's pitched has been a battle, but tonight we played a clean game behind him and he did one heck of a job."

Porcello allowed more than three earned runs just once in his previous six starts, but the Flying Tigers (9-7) averaged just over three runs in those contests.

"His two-seam fastball tonight was as good as anybody's in baseball," Barkett continued. "Coincidentally, we hadn't played well when he pitched, but tonight we did, and you realize that when you give him a lead he's something really special."

Porcello retired the first 11 Manatees before giving up his only hit, a two-out single in the fourth to former third-round pick Jonathan Lucroy. He retired the side in order four times before turning things over to the Lakeland bullpen.

The last time the former New Jersey high school standout was this stingy was Opening Day, when he limited the Tampa Yankees to allowed one hit over five scoreless frames in a 4-1 victory.

"In his last couple of games, he hadn't been as sharp as he was earlier," Barkett said. "But tonight he showed he can make adjustments. He's been working a lot with [pitching coach] Joe Coleman. He's a very coachable kid."

Robert Weinhardt struck out three over two hitless innings and Kyle Pearson worked around a hit in the ninth, fanning one and walking one, to close out the Flying Tigers' sixth shutout of the season.

Brennan Boesch supplied most of the offense for Lakeland with a pair of homers. He hit a two-run shot in the first and a solo blast in the third. Michael Bertram added a solo homer in the fifth.

Rafael Lluberes (1-3) failed to survive the first inning for the Manatees (7-1), surrendering five runs on five hits without retiring a batter.

Alan Friedman is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Wait, his ERA is 2.60 but hes 5-6?
Must be a run support issue, but not according to that article.

gdennis59 wrote:

Wait, his ERA is 2.60 but hes 5-6?
Must be a run support issue, but not according to that article.

Yes, it is in the article:

Quote :

"It's the first time we've given him some run support," Lakeland manager Andy Barkett said. "Every game he's pitched has been a battle, but tonight we played a clean game behind him and he did one heck of a job."

Oh, Guess I skimmed over that part.