Mike Clevinger continues to dominate in Columbus

Alright, which one of you angered Mike Clevinger? It was clearly one of you, because that long-haired gentlemen is pitching like a maniac right now. Or maybe he just really, really wants a promotion soon. Well, if he keeps pitching like this, he’ll get it.

Not a lot of minor league action yesterday, as two of the teams enjoyed Easter with their families.

Columbus Clippers 8, Louisville Bats 0

Box Score · Clippers fall to 6-5

Mike Clevinger doesn’t want to be in Triple-A anymore. He’d never say it out loud, of course — staying a good teammate is important, even in the minors. But he is pitching like he wants another shot at the majors, and it will likely come sooner rather than later.

In yesterday’s 8-0 win over the Louisville Bats, Clevinger dominated for the third-straight outing. He allowed three hits over six innings of work with eight strikeouts and one walk issued. In his three starts this season, he’s allowed one run over 19 innings with 25 strikeouts.

Another player who probably doesn’t want to be in the minors anymore, Erik Gonzalez, was 3-for-4 on the day with a double. Gonzalez has had a slow start to the season, offensively, going 8-for-35 in his first 10 games. Last night’s explosion probably won’t be enough for him to get a shot at the Indians utility role, but it goes a long way towards making him an enticing trade piece.

Jason Kipnis looked good in his rehab start, going 2-for-4 with a double and a run batted in as the last run of the Clippers’ big five-run sixth.

Lynchburg Hillcats 5, Myrtle Beach Pelicans 4

Box Score · Hillcats improve to 5-6

The closely contested series against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans ended yesterday with another Lynchburg Hillcats third win of the four-game set. Ka’ai Tom, Jodd Carter, Anthony Miller, and the struggling Willi Castro all had two-hit days. Castro, who came into the day batting 2-for-26 with seven strikeouts, added his first home run of the season as the go-ahead run in the seventh inning.

Matt Esparza took the hill for the Hillcats, striking out three in seven innings.

The Akron RubberDucks and the Lake County Captains had scheduled days off yesterday.