Despite the Detroit Tigers league-worst 0-6 start, the farm system seems to be striving. The triple-A Toledo Mud Hens are 4-1, the double-A Erie Sea Wolves are 4-1, the class-A(advanced) Lakeland Tigers are 4-1, and the class-A West Michigan Whitecaps are 5-0, with all teams leading thier division.

One prospect flying high is Lakeland Flying Tiger Ryan Strieby. Sunday night he hit a grand slam in the eigth inning to give the Tigers a 6-5 victory over the Clearwater Threshers. In the inning, Justin Justice and Scott Sizemore walked, and James Skelton was safe on a bunt to load the bases. Strieby took it from there. He also hit a sac fly in the bottom of the sixth to tie the game at two. Justice and Sizemore also added two hits apiece in the win.

Last season, Strieby hit 16 home-runs and 76 RBI's for the Midwest League Champion West Michigan Whitecaps. Lakeland also won Monday night 3-2 to improve to 4-1 on the year.

Other scores from April 7:

Toledo Mud Hens 11, Charlotte Knights 4-Timo Perez went 3-5 with 2 doubles and 4 RBI's

Erie Sea Wolves 5, Harrisburg Senators 12-RF Diek Scram went 3-4 with an RBI

West Michigan Whitecaps 11, Great Lakes Loons 1-Grand Rapids native Casper Wells went 4-5 with 2 home runs and 4 RBI's

*RUMOR MILL*-talking with fans from the Saginw/Midland area, they said that the Tigers are in negotiations to bring thier Double-A affiliation to the Great Lakes Loons, and have them join the Eastern Leauge. The Loons are currently in the Class-A Midwest League with the Whitecaps and Lansing Lugnuts.