Indians minor league recap: Triston McKenzie reduces 2016 ERA to 0.33

Francisco Mejia had a much-deserved day off yesterday, but several other Indians prospects stood out.

Nellie Rodriguez and Jesus Aguilar continue to provide spectacular power in the system as they launched home runs for the Clipplers and Rubberducks respectively.

Pitching sensation Triston McKenzie entered yesterday with a 0.40 ERA, and managed to drop it even further down with five more innings without giving up an earned run. He is absolutely annihilating the A- New York Penn League (expect more on him in this weeks Minor League POTW post).

Mike Clevinger also made his return to the Columbus rotation in impressive fashion.

Columbus Clippers 4, Indianapolis Indians 14 Game 1

Columbus Clippers 8, Indianapolis Indians 2 Game 2

Game 1 Box Score · Game 2 Box Score · Clippers move to 48-43

Game one of this doubleheader was one many would like to forget. Adam Plutko was demolished for six runs in the first inning, but had to stay in the game to preserve the bullpen, and he managed to last five innings, giving up nine runs in total on the day, all earned. LGFT Justin Masterson made an appearance for Indianapolis, giving up three runs in three innings of work.

While they were buried quickly in the first game, Joey Butler and Erik Gonzalez did manage to collect multiple hits.

Game two was a completely different story. Mike Clevinger tossed six innings, giving up two runs while striking out seven and walking zero.

Joey Butler again led the way offensively in game two, racking up two more hits including a home run, his eighth of the season. Jesus Aguilar joined Butler with a dinger of his own, his 19th.

Akron RubberDucks 6, Harrisburg Senators 3

Box Score · RubberDucks improve to 50-40

Judging by the hit totals, you'd think Harrisburg had a chance, but Akron took advantage of nine walks from the Senators to pull away. Bradley Zimmer led the way with two hits, reaching base safely three times in total and scoring two runs.

Nellie Rodriguez contributed a three run home run, his 17th of the season while Mike Papi and Eric Stamets both walked twice, scoring three times combined.

Starting pitcher Rob Kaminsky was solid, shutting out Harrisburg through five innings before running into trouble in the sixth and getting chased. His final line was 5.1 IP with two earned runs and three strikeouts.

Grant Sides picked up his third save to shut the door for the win.

Lynchburg Hillcats 11, Salem Red Sox 12

Box Score · Hillcats fall to 54-32

Lynchburg had no business even making this game close. The Hillcats were outhit 18-7, but were extremely efficient, bringing around nearly every baserunner to score.

The Hillcats actually tied the game at 11 after scoring five runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, taking advantage of a wild pitch and an error, but the usually consistent closer Trevor Frank gave up a double and an RBI single in the top of the ninth to give Salem the lead a half inning later.

Mark Mathias led the way offensively for Lynchburg, going 3-4 with two doubles and four runs batted in.

Starting pitcher Anderson Polanco had a rough day, giving up seven runs on 11 hits in just 3.2 innings. Reliever Dominic DeMasi had a rough outing as well, giving up four runs in one inning of work.

Lake County Captains 3, Lansing Lugnuts 4 (F/11)

Box Score · Captains fall to 47-38

A tremendous pitching performance from Shao-Ching Chiang was wasted by the bullpen as Lake County dropped a heartbreaker. Chiang tossed seven innings, giving up two runs on six hits while striking out three and walking just one, but Cortland Cox lasted just 0.1 innings before allowing Lansing to tie the game and Christian Meister let Lansing walk off in the bottom of the 11th.

Offensively, it was a rough day for the Captains. Nathan Lukes had an RBI double and Jose Medina slugged a home run, but that was about all she wrote in regards to the LC bats. Hopefully they wake up soon.

Mahoning Valley Scrappers 0, Staten Island Yankees 2

Box Score · Scrappers fall to 5-17

If I'm Triston McKenzie, I would be incredibly frustrated right now. The brilliant 18-year old continued his absolute dominance of the New York Penn League yesterday, giving up zero earned runs in five innings on two hits while striking out six....and yet he still took the loss. Staten Island scored in the fourth thanks to a runner advancing on a passed ball before an RBI single.

Mahoning Valley outhit Staten Island 8-4 on the day, and other than the passed ball, had zero other errors, but their offense was incredibly inefficient, going 0-7 with RISP and stranding eight baserunners in total. Logan Ice and Gabriel Mejia collected multi-hit games, but were unable to score or drive in a run as MV was shut out for the fourth time this season.

AZL Indians 8, AZL Brewers 1

Box Score · Indians improve to 9-6

The bottom of the order was big for the AZL Indians and the pitching held the AZL Brewers in check all day in an easy romp of a game. Hosea Nelson, Will Benson, Connor Capel, Jose Vicente and Miguel Eladio, the numbers 4-8 in the Indians' batting order, all had two-hit games. Benson and Eladio also had triples.

Starting pitcher Gregori Vasquez was solid, throwing 5.1 shutout innings while striking out four and walking four. Kenny Matthews and Skyler Aries shut the door in relief to secure the victory.

DSL Indians 5, DSL Yankees1 9

Box Score · Indians fall to 15-15

The DSL Indians had this game in the bag thanks to a solid multi-hit effort from Felix Fernandez and four stolen bases on the day, but the bullpen imploded in the top of the ninth inning.

Leomar Pereda gave up six runs in 0.2 innings before getting yanked and the Indians couldn't rally in the bottom of the ninth.