Columbus Clippers 7, Charlotte Knights 6
Box Score · Clippers improve to 39-33
The Columbus Clippers can’t be stopped! Last night’s win gave them their third straight and seventh out of their last nine!
The offense managed eight runs on just seven hits, and none were bigger than Eric Stamets’ two-run go-ahead home run. Heading into 2017, Stamets had never hit more than seven long balls in a season, but he’s already at 11 through the halfway point this year.
Ronny Rodriguez joined the offensive parade with two doubles while catcher Erik Kratz doubled and walked twice.
After rotting away on the Indians bench for a week, Adam Plutko returned to the Columbus rotation and things didn’t go well. He gave up four runs in four innings of work while striking out five, but thankfully the bullpen bent but didn’t break, giving up two runs over the final five innings to preserve the win.
Akron RubberDucks 1, Erie SeaWolves 9
Box Score · RubberDucks fall to 36-35
This was not a pretty game for Akron, but that doesn’t mean the team didn’t play hard.
The team was held to just three hits in total, but two of them belonged to stud prospect Francisco Mejia, who had a double and a home run in four at bats. Mike Papi also contributed a great defensive play.
Starting pitcher Luis Lugo gave up six runs (four earned) in five innings of work on seven hits while striking out six. Reliever Neil Holland gave up the other three in his one inning.
Lynchburg Hillcats 2, Salem Red Sox 5
Box Score · Hillcats fall to to 44-30
In his return to Salem, the home of the 2017 Carolina League All-Star Game, Sicnarf Loopstok forgot the home run derby was over. After bashing a ridiculous 44 homers last week, Loopstok provided all of Lynchburg’s offense with a two-homer game, both solo shots.
Willi Castro also had a multi-hit game, but unfortunately he was batting behind Loopstok and never came around to score.
Starting pitcher Shao-Ching Chiang had a rough outing, giving up all five runs in just 4.1 innings on eight hits. Reliever Dominic DeMasi calmed the storm and provided 3.2 shutout frames from the bullpen.
Lake County Captains 5, Great Lakes Loons 2
Box Score · Captains improve to 31-43
This was the Miguel Eladio show on offense for Lake County. The 21-year old second baseman out of the Dominican Republic went 3-4 with a double and a home run and was the lone Captain to have a multi-hit game. He scored all three times he reached base.
Starting pitcher Micah Miniard had his strongest performance of the season, lasting seven full innings without giving up an earned run on three hits, two walks and striking out five.
Mahoning Valley Scrappers 5, State College Spikes 1
Box Score · Scrappers improve to 5-3
The Scrappers were led by a pair of huge performances from the top of the lineup. Prep players Samad Taylor and Ulysses Cantu remained red hot at the plate, both going 3-4 with a walk from the leadoff and two-spots in the batting order. Cantu also contributed a home run while Taylor stole a base.
Starting pitcher Felix Tati threw five shutout innings on three hits while striking out five and the bullpen gave up just one run the rest of the way to preserve the victory.
DSL Indians 3, DSL Pirates 4 (F/10)
Box Score · Indians fall to 8-12
The DSL Indians were held to just three hits, but they somehow managed to score three runs (two unearned) thanks to three errors from the DSL Pirates. The game went to extra innings, where the Pirates walked off on a bases loaded walk (DSL games in extra innings start with a player at second base already).
The AZL Indians had a scheduled off-day.