Indians minor league recap: Clint Frazier hits 11th home run of 2016 in Akron win

Despite the pitching staffs in the upper levels of the minors being in a state of flux with the sudden promtions of Mike Clevinger and  TJ House, both the Columbus Clippers and Akron RubberDucks faired well yesterday. The former managed to keep a game under 10 innings, and the latter saw one of its biggest stars hit yet another ball out of the park.

Columbus Clippers 3, Toledo Mud Hens 2

Box Score · Clippers improve to 46-39

In a shocking turn of events, the Columbus Clippers decided to limit their game to just nine innings, instead of the 16 it took on Sunday night. The result was much better this time around, at least, as Bryson Myles' three-run game led the Clippers in their series opener against the Toledo Mud Hens.

Myles' three hits aside, the rest of the Columbus offense was anemic. Michael Choice hit a solo home run in the fifth, but the only other batter to record a hit was second baseman Yhoxian Medina.

Cole Sulser, who is normally a relief pitcher, was thrust into the starting role with Mike Clevinger and TJ House receiving promotions to the majors early Monday afternoon. He pitched a solid 3.1 innings of work, allowing one run off five hits and striking out five without a single walk. Peri Garner -- making his Triple-A debut -- was given both the blown save and a win, having given up a run late.

Akron RubberDuck 5, Altoona Curve 3

Box Score · RubberDucks improve to 47-38

The Akron RubberDucks did not need many hits -- six, to be exact -- but they were able to pull out a win in their series opener against the Altoona Curve.

Nellie Rodriguez was the only 'Ducks batter to have a multi-hit game, recording two hits including a double. Clint Frazier hit his 11th home run of the season, a two-out bomb in the sixth inning.

Starting pitcher Rob Kaminsky has not quite lived up to the hype since coming over from the St. Louis Cardinals for Brandon Moss last season, but he turned in a solid 5.2 innings last night, striking out six and walking two.

Lynchburg Hillcats 6, Frederick Keys 9

Box Score · Hillcats improve to 51-30

Francisco Mejia has had no trouble adjusting to High-A pitching thus far, but his 2-for-4 night was not enough to lift the Lynchburg Hillcats over the Frederick Keys.

Along with Mejia's two-hit night, Greg Allen notched two hits himself, while everyone else in the lineup besides Yu-Chieng Chang, Taylor Murphy, and Mark Mathias all had one hit. Bobby Bradley's lone hit was a triple, his first of the season. He also walked once and struck out once.

Anderson Polanco started the game for Lynchburg and lasted five innings, but he allowed five runs off six hits in that time, including one home run.

Lake County Captains 3, Bowling Green Hot Rods 2

Box Score · Captains improve to 47-35

The Lake county Captains and Bowling Green Hot Rods were locked in a tie game for much of last night's contest, but a two-run double in the seventh inning helped the Captains take the series opener.

That double came from Connor Marabell, who was 2-for-4 on the day and recorded all three Captains runs batted in. Leadoff batter Ordomar Valdez had a two-hit day as well, going 2-for-5 with a double and a strikeout.

Starting pitcher Casey Shane gave the Captains five strong innings, allowing just one earned run off six hits while striking out two Hot Rod batters. After a rough couple of games in the middle of the season, Shane is on a roll lately. This is fourth-straight game allowing two or fewer runs, and his seventh-straight issuing two or fewer walks.

Mahoning Valley Scrappers 2, Vermont Lake Monsters 3

Box Score · Scrappers fall to 4-14

Even with another fantastic pitching outing from Juan Hillman, the Mahoning Valley Scrappers cannot buy themselves a win. They fell this time -- their 14th loss of the season -- thanks to a bullpen implosion in the eighth inning.

Hillman was brilliant in his 5.2 innings of working, allowing just three hits and striking out eight while keeping the Lake Monsters off the board. Vermont did not score until the eighth inning when Henry Martinez started the inning with a hit batter and a wild pitch.

The Scrappers, as a team, recorded eight hits, but they were 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position and left 10 runners stranded on base. Logan Ice was hitless on the day, but drew two walks in three at-bats.

AZL Indians 14, AZL Cubs 2

Box Score · Indians improve to 6-5

An explosive seven-run first inning was all the AZL Indians needed to seal last night's win over the AZL Cubs, but the piled on another seven just for good measure.

Jorma Rodriguez led the way offensively, going 3-for-4 with a home run and four runs batted in.

Hosea Nelson was just 1-for-5 with four strikeouts, but his lone hit was a home run, his first as a professional. Fellow 2016 draft pick Will Benson struggled at the plate, striking out three times in a hitless 0-for-5 day. Benson's professional career is off to a slow start -- he is 3-for-27 with nine strikeouts and four walks in his seven games.

Gregori Vasquez pitched well in his five innings of work, striking out five and walking two.

DSL Indians 1, DSL Rangers1 13

Box Score · Indians fall to 14-11

Ronny Dominguez and Henry Rodriguez both had two hits in the DSL Indians' losing effort yesterday, but the rest of the offense was nowhere to be seen.

As a team, the Indians recorded seven hits but drew only one walk and struck out six times. They were 0-for-2 with runners in scoring position and left five men on base.

Starting pitcher Luis Oviedo could not make it out of the second inning as he allowed six earned runs off five hits. The bullpen did not fair much better, combining to throw 6.2 innings and allowing five earned runs with just four strikeouts and six walks.