Max Clark goes yard as Tigers affiliates deliver fireworks
Max Clark crushed his 11th home run for Toledo on Wednesday, while Josue Briceño went deep for Erie and West Michigan's Ben Jacobs struck out eight. The Detroit Tigers' farm system supplied the fireworks even as the Mud Hens and Whitecaps dropped their contests.
Key Takeaways
- Max Clark launched a solo shot — his 11th homer — in the seventh for Toledo versus Columbus.
- Josue Briceño homered and drove in two as Erie edged Akron 5-4.
- Ben Jacobs punched out eight over 5.1 innings, but West Michigan fell 2-1 to Beloit.
- Clark finished 1-for-4 with two RBI and a walk in a 9-7 Mud Hens loss.
What did Max Clark do for the Mud Hens?
The Columbus Clippers beat the Toledo Mud Hens 9-7 after jumping ahead 7-0 in the first. Toledo chipped away, then Max Clark lifted a solo home run over the wall in right-center in the seventh for his 11th long ball of the year.
Clark later drew a bases-loaded walk in an eighth-inning rally that cut the deficit to 9-6. He finished 1-for-4 with a run, two RBI, a walk, and three strikeouts. Per the Yahoo Sports farm report, Toledo hosts again Thursday at 12:05 p.m. ET as it tries to climb back into the series.
The same recap noted Clark is heating up and looks ready for a big-league look, though he is almost certainly being held until August 15 to preserve 2027 rookie eligibility.
How did Josue Briceño spark Erie?
Josue Briceño went 2-for-3 with a run, two RBI, a walk, and a home run as the Erie SeaWolves beat the Akron RubberDucks 5-4. After an early RBI single, he launched a solo shot to lead off the eighth that put Erie back in front.
Knuckleballer Kenny Serwa set the tone with 5.2 innings, one earned run, four strikeouts, and one walk. Trevin Michael closed it out for the save. Erie and Akron were tied at one game apiece heading into a 6:05 p.m. ET start at UPMC Park.
Why was Ben Jacobs' night special for the Whitecaps?
Pitching ruled as the Beloit Sky Carp edged the West Michigan Whitecaps 2-1 on nine combined hits. Ben Jacobs was electric: 5.1 innings, one earned run on a solo homer, two hits, one walk, and eight strikeouts.
West Michigan scored in the third on a Ricardo Hurtado sacrifice fly after a double steal, but Ryan Harvey surrendered the sixth-inning solo shot that decided it. For more prospect buzz and where fans can follow affiliate action, check our Streaming & TV Alerts hub.
Jackson Strong and Woody Hadeen were back from the injury list; Hadeen reached base twice. Bryce Rainer went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. The series was tied entering a 7:30 p.m. ET game in Comstock Park on Thursday.