Brady Aiken keeps walking batters, keeps winning

Columbus Clippers 5, Buffalo Bisons 4

Box Score · Clippers improve to 51-44

A closely contested game between the Columbus Clippers (wearing their outstanding Jets unis) and Buffalo Bisons was ultimately decided by an errant throw and a ballsy hustle home from Daniel Robertson.

The result was a walk-off win for the Clippers, snapping a short losing streak.

The Nellie Rodriguez Redemption Tour continued yesterday as well. The big man has hits in three straight games and has raised his season batting average from .140 before the streak to .150 after last night’s 1-for-3 performance. That doesn’t seem like much, and it isn’t, but when you only have 39 hits on the season four can seem like a lot.

Richie Shaffer also did this in left field:

On the mound, Shawn Morimando allowed four runs for the second start in a row. This time he lasted seven innings, though, and struck out seven along the way. He has a 3.56 ERA on the season and a 2.39 ERA in his last 10 starts. Shawn Armstrong pitched an inning of relief and struck out two of the three batters he faced.

Akron RubberDucks 1, Binghamton Rumble Ponies 2 (Game 1)

Akron RubberDucks 11, Binghamton Rumble Ponies 4 (Game 2)

Game 1 Box Score · Game 2 Box Score · RubberDucks move to 46-47

Greg Allen was hitless in the doubleheader, despite batting from the leadoff spot in both contests. But he did draw three walks in game two and scored one of the RubberDucks’ 11 runs in the victory.

To be fair, almost no one hit in game one — the ‘Ducks finished with just four base hits against the Binghamton Rumble Ponies. They effectively wasted a solid outing from Matt Esparza, who struck out five and walked four over six innings.

Game two was a different story, with every ‘Ducks batter getting on base at least once. Outfielders Mike Papi and Dorssys Paulino led the way with three hits apiece; the latter was a home run shy of the cycle. Catcher Eric Haase, starting in place of Francisco Mejia, added one of Akron’s two home runs with his lone hit.

Lake County Captains 6, Kane County Cougars 1

Box Score · Captains improve to 39-55

The only guy you probably care about in this game, Brady Aiken, walked another four batters yesterday. He also held the Kane County Cougars to one run off three hits, so you be the judge if that’s a good box score or not.

Aiken’s 77 walks on the season are nearly double the next closest qualified pitcher’s walk total (44).

Center fielder Conner Capel, designated hitter Li-Jen Chu, and first baseman Jose Medina (coming off the bench) all homered in the win, while left fielder Michael Tinsley added a triple.

Mahoning Valley Scrappers 3, Batavia Muckdogs 11

Box Score · Scrappers fall to 17-12

James Karinchak did his best Trevor Bauer impression with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers yesterday when he allowed six earned runs while getting just one out. He also walked two.

The bullpen was left to piece together a faux-start after that and they did an admiral job. Felix Tati pitched 5.2 innings of two-run baseball, striking out seven and walking one.

Right fielder Will Benson, the Indians’ first-round draft choice a year ago, has had a disappointing first full season in the Tribe system, but he may be starting to turn it around. He went 1-for-3 yesterday, and over his last three he has gone 6-for-9 and only struck out twice. He still only has the one home run on the season, but at this point I’m just happy to see the 19-year-old hitting. Power will come eventually.

AZL Indians 1, AZL Athletics 3

Box Score · Indians fall to 6-14

Despite outhitting the AZL Athletics 5-3, the AZL Indians ultimately lost and fell further from .500. Tyler Freeman continues to tear up the rookie league, though — his season slash now sits at .419/.447/.651 after 13 games.

DSL Indians 5, DSL Cubs1 7

Box Score · Indians fall to 14-24

The Indians lost to Cubs despite a big ninth-inning rally.

Ugh.