Indians minor league recap: Todd Hankins preserves Akron win with spectacular grab

It was a rough day for the Cleveland Indians yesterday, having lost in a ninth-inning implosion. The same thing nearly happened to the Akron RubberDucks, but second baseman Todd Hankins avenged his awful day at the plate with a spectacular grab and leaping throw to end the game.

The Columbus Clippers and Lake County Captains both were able to hold close leads as well, with the latter’s lasting a full 16 innings.

Columbus Clippers 2, Durham Bulls 0

Box Score · Clippers improve to 72-54

The Columbus Clippers were outhit by the Durham Bulls, 5-3, but it didn’t matter as they scored the only two runs of the game in the third inning when Erik Gonzalez belted his 11th home run of the season.

The only other hits came from Jesus Aguilar and Joey Butler, and no one drew a walk — although Yhoxian Medina was on base for Gonazlez’s home run after getting hit by a pitch.

The real hero of the game was Ryan Merritt, who pitched six shutout innings and allowed just two hits. He also struck out and walked one. This was Merritt’s second straight shutout and he has not allowed more than two earned runs in any Triple-A start since July 19.

Akron RubberDucks 6, Trenton Thunder 5

Box Score · RubberDucks improve to to 62-60

The Akron RubberDucks exploded for six runs in the first inning then coasted their way to a close 6-5 win over the Trenton Thunder.

Half of Akron’s hits came in that first inning, but they were also aided by a wild pitch, a fielding error, and two walks.

Jeremy Lucas led the way for the ‘Ducks, going 3-for-4 with two doubles. Jordan Smith was the only other RubberDuck batter to have a multi-hit day as he reached base via two singles and a walk.

Todd Hankins had a bad day at the plate, going 0-for-4 with a strikeout, but he clinched the Akron win with a spectacular play in the bottom of ninth.

DJ Brown spread seven hits out over 5.2 innings and ended up allowing just three earned runs. Colt Hynes, who joined the RubberDucks after signing a minor-league deal with the Cleveland Indians in early August, recorded his first save of the season.

Former Indians prospect JP Feyereisen pitched two innings of relief, striking out three of the eight batters he faced.

Lake County Captains 6, West Michigan Whitecaps 5 (F/16)

Box Score · Captains improve to to 63-58

I hope you really love baseball, because the Lake County Captains took a game to 16 innings, including 10-straight frames without a run being scored.

The winning run finally came in the bottom of the 16th when Jodd Carter singled to score pinch runner Jose Medina from second base following a walk and a sacrifice bunt.

Every Captains starter besides Juan De La Cruz had a hit on the day, and Lake County as a team recorded 18. Bobby Ison led the way with five, while Willi Castro and Jodd Carter added three apiece.

Lake County used just five pitchers in the 16 innings, despite starting pitcher Micah Miniard lasting a mere 4.2 innings. Luckily, Erick Algarin, Jon Fitzsimmons and Christina Meister each worked three innings of relief.

Mahoning Valley Scrappers 10, Batavia Muckdogs 3 (Game 1)

Mahoning Valley Scrappers 3, Batavia Muckdogs 5 (Game 2)

Game 1 Box Score · Game 2 Box Score · Scrappers fall to 28-28

Weather has been wreaking havoc on east-coast teams this past week, and the Mahoning Valley Scrappers were no exception. They split their latest doubleheader yesterday, winning a Game 1 blowout and dropping a close one in Game 2.

Brady Aiken was awarded with his first Low-A win in the victory, going five innings and striking out six. He did walk three as well, but this is a welcome start after his recent struggles.

Gabriel Mejia was the offense leader in the Game 1 with three hits. The Scrappers drew six walks and struck out just three times in the win.

Game 2 was a different story, with Ryan Colegate struggling to get through 3.1 innings and reliever Randy Valladares not fairing much better.

After their 11-hit show in Game 1, Scrappers batters were held to just five in Game 2, including Mejia who went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts.

DSL Indians 0, DSL Mets1 3

Box Score · Indians fall to 24-39

The DSL Indians were held to two hits in their shutout loss to the DSL Mets1 Wednesday morning. Wilbis Santiago and Pablo Jimenez recorded the team’s only hits, while starting pitcher Yeffersson Yannuzzi was given the loss on the mound after a rough three innings of work.

The Lynchburg Hillcats game was postponed due to rain. The AZL Indians had a scheduled day off.