Indians minor league recap: Mike Clevinger dominant over seven innings

Whether it's later this season or in 2017, Mike Clevinger is going to get another shot at the majors soon. If his recent string of great Triple-A starts are any indication, he has not let his poor major-league showings get to him, as he has looked spectacular since returning to the Columbus Clippers. Last night was one of his best yet, a seven-inning effort in which he struck out five batters.

The Lynchburg Hillcats provided the only wins on the day, sweeping a doubleheader against the Rochester Red Wings.

Columbus Clippers 0, Rochester Red Wings 1

Box Score · Clippers fall to 35-30

The good news: Mike Clevinger looked amazing and Adam Moore had two hits in yesterday's Columbus Clippers loss. The bad news: Everyone else was pretty terrible.

The Clippers as a team managed just four hits yesterday, and one of Adam Moore's hits -- a double -- was one of only two extra-base hits on the day. Clippers batters also struck out 11 times and were 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position.

But on the good side of things was Mike Clevinger. The 25-year-old who got his first taste of the majors last month was spectacular over 7.0 innings, allowing just three hits and striking out five batters. This was his second-straight shutout and in his three games since returning the Clippers he has pitched 16.2 innings with 18 strikeouts and six walks. I look forward to him getting another shot in the majors.

Another player who I would love to see in the majors soon, Ben Heller, had a good day, although his walks continue to be an issue. He had another in yesterday's loss, but he also struck out one and did not allow a run to cross the plate. After dominating Double-A with 23 strikeouts and five walks in 16.1 innings, he has struggled to keep his walks under control in Triple-A, already issuing five free bases in 9.1 innings. If he can figure those out, he and his 100+ mph fastball could easily contribute late in the season for the Tribe.

The only run of the game was in the bottom of the ninth off of Austin Adams, when a baserunner -- who Adams walked and moved to second on a ground out -- was hit home by a single to end the game.

Akron RubberDucks 5, Erie SeaWolves 9

Box Score · RubberDucks fall to 38-27

Seeing as the Erie SeaWolves are technically my "hometown" team, I was a little torn on who to root for in this game. However, since I still have not fully forgiven the SeaWolves for changing their logo away from this beautiful monstrosity, I will be upset with everyone else that the Akron RubberDucks lost.

Contrary to some of their recent games, the 'Ducks at least put up a fight last night, including three runs in the final two innings. However, a four-run sixth inning was enough for the SeaWolves to push ahead and stay ahead for the remainder of the game.

Every Akron batter besides Luigi Rodriguez contributed at least one hit with Nellie Rodriguez, Joe Sever, Alex Monsalve, and Mike Papi all adding two. Clint Frazier had just one hit, but it was a double and it resulted in him scoring a run. Frazier appears to be back on track after a mini-slump plagued him earlier in the month when he returned from a strained hamstring injury. In his last four games, he has gone 6-for-15 with three walks and five strikeouts.

Starting pitcher Rob Kaminsky lasted 4.0 innings on the night, allowing four earned runs off of seven hits. In his last two starts, combined, he has gone 7.1 innings and allowed nine hits off of 12 hits. Robbie Aviles, who covered the fifth inning and one out of the sixth, did not fair much better. He allowed four earned runs off of four hits, shooting his ERA up to 7.17.

Continuing the theme of relievers I cannot wait to see in the majors after Bryan Shaw's latest implosion, JP Feyereisen put together a solid inning of relief work, striking out one batter and walking none. He now carries a 2.49 ERA on the season over 25.1 innings with the RubberDucks, striking out 33 batters to just 10 walks.

Lynchburg Hillcats 7, Carolina Mudcats 3 (Game 1)

Lynchburg Hillcats 9, Carolina Mudcats 4 (Game 2)

Game 1 Box Score · Game 2 Box Score · Hillcats improve to 42-23

The Lynchburg Hillcats domatined both games of this doubleheaders, thanks to huge offensive contributions from Anthony Santander and Mark Mathias. Santander was 4-for-6 with a home run between the two games, while Mathias was 3-for-5 with three walks.

Greg Allen set the table in Game 1 one with two hits, including a triple that scored Sicnarf Loopstok and allowed Allen to score on a wild pitch during the next at-bat.

Game 1 starter Mitch Brown seems to finally be making a comeback from his rough start to the season, as he allowed just one run off of two hits in 4.0 innings of work yesterday. In his last 10 games. he has allowed 17 runs in 46.0 innings -- good for a 3.33 ERA. Walks are still an issue -- he has walked 22 batters in those last 10 games -- but he has also struck out 49.

In Game 2, starting pitcher Sean Brady lasted a full 6.0 innings while allowing four runs off of eight hits.