Ronny Rodriguez grand slams in Columbus loss

Columbus Clippers 4, Syracuse Chiefs 6

Box Score · Clippers fall to 54-56

Everything looked good for the Columbus Clippers heading into the top of the ninth inning. They held a two-run lead with Carlos Frias on the mound to close out the win.

...he allowed a home run and a walk before being pulled, and things that worse from there. The Syracuse Chiefs ended up scoring four that inning, put them up by two; a deficit the Clippers offense could not respond to in the bottom of the frame.

Ronny Rodriguez and Michael Martinez led the Clippers with two hits apiece; the former had the team’s only home run of the game with a third-inning grand slam.

This was supposed to be the year where Adam Plutko showed he can make the jump to the majors, but it hasn’t happened. The 25-year-old carries a 6.91 ERA this season, but he had a nice outing yesterday, striking out two and allowing just two runs in seven innings. Plutko has yet to throw a shutout this season; the two earned runs allowed ties a season-low.

Akron RubberDucks 2, Richmond Flying Squirrels 4

Box Score · RubberDucks fall to 49-48

After a streak of four-straight wins to get above .500, the Akron RubberDucks dropped their first game in almost a week yesterday.

Starting pitcher Thomas Pannone continued his phenomenal season, striking out seven and walking one in five innings. He did allow two runs off a homer, but that was all that crossed the plate under his watch.

Left fielder Luigi Rodriguez went 3-for-4 with a home run, while shortstop Yu-Cheng Chang continued his slow resurgence with a 2-for-3 day, including a double.

Catcher Francisco Mejia is listed as day-to-day with a hip injury.

Lynchburg Hillcats 1, Potomac Nationals 4

Box Score · Hillcats fall to 58-41

The Lynchburg Hillcats started the day with an 8-6 win to complete a previously suspended game. In the second game of the ‘doubleheader’, however, things went much worse.

Lynchburg batters recorded just five hits, four of which came from the bottom four hitters in the batting order. The lone run came off the bat of catcher Daniel Salters.

Starting pitcher Shao-Ching Ching had a complete game (six innings)

Lake County Captains 7, Clinton LumberKings 2

Box Score · Captains improve to 41-57

The Lake County Captains enjoyed a blowout win over the Clinton LumberKings yesterday, thanks in large part to right fielder Mitch Longo continuing to be hot and hitting dingers.

Longo finished the game with just one official at-bat, but he drew four walks. Left fielder Michael Tinsley finished with a team-leading two hits and a double.

Mahoning Valley Scrappers 1, State College Spikes 5

Box Score · Scrappers fall to 20-13

Despite a solid bullpen showing, and eight hits from the offense, the Mahoning Valley Scrappers could not overcome starting pitcher Grant Hockin’s four runs allowed in 3.2 innings.

Shortstop Jesse Berardi led the way with two hits, while second baseman Ernie Clement and right fielder Will Benson had a triple and a double, respectively. Benson may be finally breaking out of his slow start. Over his last six games he’s 9-for-21 with three walks.

The AZL Indians and the DSL Indians had scheduled off-days.