The Toledo Mud Hens absolutely dominated the Iowa Cubs last night, cruising to a 9-2 victory, but the real showstopper was Andrew Sears. The lefty threw five no-hit innings, silencing the Cubs’ bats and racking up an insane 16 whiffs in a brilliant outing.
Sears Deals, Tigers Are Watching
Sears came in during the second inning after Brant Hurter struggled, giving up a run and sitting at 89-90 mph. Sears took over and completely locked down the Cubs, striking out seven batters against just two walks across those five no-hit frames. Seriously, 16 whiffs? That’s ridiculous! Ten of those came off his mid-90s sinker, and he even got some with his high-80s changeup. Typically, Sears leans on a nasty sinker-slider combo, so seeing that changeup grow is massive news. It definitely feels like he is ready for a call-up, maybe even stepping into a role similar to Hurter’s with the Tigers. Don’t be surprised if he’s a serious candidate for the Tigers’ rotation in 2027, and if the big league club needs an arm, Sears is probably the first one they will ring.
Offense Explodes, Minton Impresses
While Sears was busy carving up the Cubs, the Mud Hens offense went to work. Chris Meyers, fresh off a rehab assignment, doubled in his first at-bat. Andrew Navigato singled him to third, then swiped second base. Cal Stevenson struck out, but then Bennett Lee stepped up and crushed a three-run shot for his first Triple-A homer. Later in the third, Max Anderson singled, Josue Briceño walked, Meyers singled in Anderson, and Navigato doubled in Briceño, pushing the lead to 5-1. The Hens kept pouring it on, with Max Burt hitting a solo shot in the seventh. After Tyler Mattison gave up a run in the eighth, Justice Bigbie walked, Navigato singled, Stevenson walked to load the bases, and Lee got plunked for an RBI. Jace Jung then smoked a two-run double, making it 9-2. On the pitching side, right-hander Hayden Minton, who the Tigers promoted to Triple-A on Tuesday for a relief role, showed off his stuff. His low arm slot, running sinker, with a curveball and cutter, was sitting mid-90s, topping out at 95.5 MPH. He did hit a batter and walk one, but he also struck out two in a scoreless inning. Beau Brieske struck out two in the ninth, sitting 95, to close things out.
What a night for the Mud Hens! With Sears looking so sharp and Minton showing flashes in his relief debut, it makes you wonder how soon we will see these guys in Detroit. Keep an eye on the wire for any movement, because after a game like that, the Tigers’ phones must be ringing!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bless You Boys.
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