Indians minor league recap: Nellie Rodriguez and Jesus Aguilar go yard

It wasn't a great day for Tribe affiliates, as only the Lynchburg Hillcats managed to pick up a win on the day, but there were a few things to be happy about.

Top Indians prospect Bradley Zimmer's finger appears to be just fine, even if he did miss yesterday's game against the Toledo Mud Hens.

Heavy first base sluggers Jesus Aguilar and Nellie Rodriguez also went deep for Columbus and Akron respectively, albeit in losing efforts.

And lastly, Triston McKenzie proved once again he's not a flash in the pan by decimating Single-A hitters in his second appearance for Lake County.

Columbus Clippers 1, Toledo Mud Hens 6

Box Score · Clippers fall to 67-53

It was a rough day offensively for the Bradley Zimmer-less Columbus Clippers as they only managed one run on six hits against some guy named Buck Farmer.

The good news about Zimmer is that this appears to be the only game he'll miss, as he was available for pinch hitting duties if he was needed late yesterday.

Jesus Aguilar provided the lone offensive highlight of the game, going 2-4 with a home run, his 23rd of the season, which moves him back into first place this season among all Tribe minor leaguers. The Columbus Clippers now own the international league Triple Crown with Yandy Diaz for batting average (.334) and Aguilar for home runs (23) and RBIs (74).

Speaking of Diaz, the talented Cuban defector went 0-3 with a walk on the day to snap his 28-game hitting streak. The last time he failed to pick up a hit was on the 4th of July.

Free agent filler pitcher Shawn Haviland came back down to Earth in his second outing for the Clippers, giving up five runs in 5.2 innings off five hits and three walks. That would be more than enough for the Mud Hens thanks to the poor showing from the offense

Akron RubberDucks 4, Hartford Yard Goats 6

Box Score · RubberDucks fall to 58-60

Akron lost despite the best efforts of Greg Allen and Nellie Rodriguez, who both had big games.

Allen went 2-4, stealing his 41st base of the season and also gunned down a baserunner at third base for an outfield assist. Rodriguez, meanwhile, went 2-3 with a home run and a walk on the day. It was his 20th home run of the season.

But it was all for naught thanks in part to an average starting pitching performance from Michael Peoples, who gave up four runs in six innings on eight hits while striking out five.

The bullpen kept the game out of reach by allowing two more runs in the final three frames.

Lynchburg Hillcats 3, Potomac Nationals 6

Box Score · Hillcats improve to 73-44

The Lynchburg Hillcats, with Francisco Mejia riding the bench once again, this time defeated the Potomac Nationals thanks to a three-run seventh inning.

Brock Hartson had a solid start for the Hillcats, tossing six innings and giving up just two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out three.

With the Hillcats down 2-0 in the top of the seventh, Anthony Santander, Bobby Bradley and Dorssys Paulino collected back-to-back-to-back hits to score a run. After an intentional walk to load the bases, the game was tied on a wild pitch. Catcher Alex Monsalve then gave Lynchburg the lead with a go-ahead sacrifice fly.

David Speer and Trevor Frank combined to pitch the final three scoreless innings to preserve the win.

Lake County Captains 10, Great Lakes Loons 11 (F/10)

Box Score · Captains fall to 59-56

With super prospect Triston McKenzie on the mound, you would think 10 runs would be more than enough to secure a win, but the Lake County bullpen had other ideas.

McKenzie once again was completely dominant, giving up just one run on three hits through the first six innings, but they may have kept him in a bit too long as two doubles chased him with two outs in the seventh. Cortland Cox would allow the inherited runner to score to damage McKenzie's line on the day. All in all, he struck out eight batters in 6.2 innings on 83 pitches, walking none. Damn this kid is good.

Lake County was leading 10-4 heading into the ninth inning thanks to Sam Haggerty, who went 4-5 on the day and scored two runs. Jodd Carter, Bobby Ison and Ordomar Valdez also had two-hit games for the Captains and Anthony Miller slugged a two-run homer.

Unfortunately, a six run lead in the bottom of the ninth wasn't good enough, as Jon Fitzsimmons and Devon Stewart combined to give up all six runs in an attempt to close out the game, and everything started after the first two batters struck out.

Fitzsimmons would walk four straight to give up one run, then Stewart promptly gave up a grand slam and then another home run to tie it.

After a shell-shocked Lake County failed to score in the top of the 10th, Erick Algarin gave up the walk-off run in the bottom of the inning for the loss.

AZL Indians 4, AZL Dodgers 5 (F/10)

Box Score · Indians fall to 24-18

The AZL Indians showed some grit, clawing back to tie the game in the ninth inning, but they couldn't pull off the win as they would fall in extra innings.

Will Benson continued his recent surge of solid hitting, going 2-3 on the day with a triple, walk and hit by pitch while also stealing his ninth base. He also had the RBI single in the ninth to tie the game.

Every AZL Indians starter except Trenton Brooks had a base hit on the day.

Francisco Perez, who normally starts, was brought in to pitch the 3rd-7th innings and he was brilliant. Perez tossed five innings in total, striking out five and his lone blemish was a solo home run allowed in the fourth.

Free agent pitcher Cameron Mingo, making his professional debut, gave up one run in the top of the 10th to take the loss, although he did strike out the side at least.

DSL Indians 2, DSL Cubs1 4

Box Score · Indians fall to 23-35

The DSL Indians received some great starting pitching from Yefferson Yannuzzi, who went six innings and only gave up one run, but the offense couldn't get anything going until it was too late.

Down 4-0 thanks to a poor relief performance from Jahir Varela, the Indians scored two runs in the top of the ninth, but the rally fell short. Wilbis Santiago was the lone Indian to collect a multi-hit game, although Ronny Dominguez did reach safely three times thanks to two walks.

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The Mahoning Valley Scrappers game was postponed due to poor field conditions