Indians minor league recap: Francisco Mejia extends hit streak to 33 games

While Tribe catcher Yan Gomes was busy going 0-4 with three strikeouts in Cleveland's 10-2 rout of New York yesterday, hitting so badly that he had a pitcher replace him in the lineup at the end of the game, another catcher in the Indians system was continuing one of 2016's most impressive feats.

Francisco Mejia passed Jackie Bradley Jr. earlier this week when he collected a hit in his 30th straight game, and he's kept right on hitting. The 20-year old switch-hitting catcher picked up another hit last night, improving his streak to 33 games in a row, all this despite being promoted to High-A Lynchburg mid-streak.

Also on the farm, recently signed 2016 second round pick Nolan Jones collected his first professional hit. The 18-year old enjoyed it so much, he picked up another later in the game.

Columbus Clippers 3, Louisville Bats 4 (F/13)

Box Score · Clippers fall to 47-42

In a game where the bullpens combined for 11 consecutive scoreless innings, something had to give. Unfortunately, it was the Clippers who gave way in a 13-inning thriller.

Both teams picked up plenty of hits, but they were completely useless with men in scoring position. Columbus was 3-19 while Louisville was 2-13 in scoring opportunities. Three Clippers had three-hit games on the day, Bryson Myles, Yandy Diaz and Ronny Rodriguez. Diaz reached base five times and is now batting .311 for Columbus.

Former reliever Ross Detwiler returned for another start and did a great job, pitching an extremely efficient 7.1 innings on just 81 pitches, striking out four while walking zero and giving up three runs along the way.

Jeff Johnson, Shawn Armstrong and Ben Heller kept Louisville at Bay as the game went into extra innings, but Kyle Crockett gave up a walk-off single in the 13th.

Akron RubberDucks 0, Altoona Curve 7

Box Score · RubberDucks fall to 49-40

This game was over by the second inning thanks to a non-existent Akron offense, which collected a measly three hits and was shut out.

Clint Frazier and Eric Stamets picked up doubles and Bradly Zimmer, Frazier and Nellie Rodriguez had a walk each, but that was the extent of Akron's offensive threats on the day.

Michael Peoples was roughed up for six earned runs in four innings of work, but at least JP Feyereisen struck out the side in a scoreless eighth inning to drop his season ERA to 2.43.

Lynchburg Hillcats 8, Salem Red Sox 2

Box Score · Hillcats improve to 54-31

Lynchburg touched up Salem's starting pitcher early with three runs in the first inning and then added on with bonus runs in four more innings along the way as the Hillcats pulled away for an easy win.

Every hitter in the Lynchburg lineup collected at least one hit, while Anthony Santander, Luigi Rodrigez, and Paul Hendricks had two apiece. Bobby Bradley, Santander and Hendrix all reached base safely three times if you include walks while Francisco Mejia extended his hitting streak to 33 games (as noted above).

Starting pitcher Sean Brady was absolutely cruising until he hit the seventh inning, where he left with a pair of runners on base which were allowed to score by reliever Jordan Milbrath. That would be the end of Salem's scoring, however, as the Hillcats easily picked up another victory to improve to 23 games over .500.

Lake County Captains 1, Lansing Lug Nuts 2

Box Score · Captains fall to 47-38

It was a pitiful offensive performance for Lake County as another beautiful starting pitching performance was wasted. The usual suspects collected hits for the Captains, middle of the order sluggers Nathan Lukes, Willi Castro, Sicnarf Loopstock and Connor Marabell, but the team went 1-8 with runners in scoring position.

Brock Hartson pitched a gem, tossing six shutout innings while striking out seven and walking one, but it was all for naught as recently promoted reliever Leandro Linares gave up two runs in his debut with Lake County to give up the lead.

Mahoning Valley Scrappers 2, Staten Island Yankees 4

Box Score · Scrappers fall to 5-16

Another day, another poor offensive showing, another great starting pitching performance and another blown inning from the bullpen for Mahoning Valley.

The Scrappers collected four measly hits on the day, but walked 10 times. Just like the more developed clubs, they had issues with runners in scoring position, going 2-14 in the critical situation. Erlin Cerda had a standout day, reaching base safely three times, while Gabriel Mejia reached twice and swiped his fourth base of the season, but that was about it offensively.

Micah Miniard pitched well, giving up one earned run in four innings while striking out six and walking none. The dunce cap of the day was awarded to Devon Stewart, who followed Miniard by giving up three runs in one inning, which would be all Staten Island would need.

AZL Indians 7, AZL Dodgers 1

Box Score · Indians improve to 8-6

Backed by some big time offensive performances and some great pitching, the AZL Indians blew the AZL Dodgers out of the water last night.

Recent 2016 second round draft pick Nolan Jones seems to have adjusted to professional baseball very quickly, going 2-3 on the day with two walks. I know it's a very small sample size, but Jones has walked four times and picked up two hits in his first nine career plate appearances. He looks extremely promising already.

Catcher Li-Jen Chu and center fielder Junior Soto both went 2-2 on the day with a double apiece and 2016 first round pick Will Benson went 1-4 with a stolen base and an outfield assist.

Starting pitcher Francisco Perez continues to dominate AZL hitters, tossing five shutout innings of two-hit ball to pick up the win.

DSL Indians 2, DSL Pirates 3

Box Score · Indians fall to 15-14

Errors killed the DSL Indians yesterday as the DSL Pirates picked up two unearned runs in the first inning. Starting pitcher Luis Valdez would last 5.1 innings in total with no earned runs, but the three errors played a big part.

Jean Montero collected two hits from the leadoff position for the Indians, but the team only managed four hits in total and a ninth inning rally came up one run short.