Brady Aiken rocked for seven runs in Lake County loss

Columbus Clippers 3, Norfolk Tides 4 (Game 1)

Columbus Clippers 8, Norfolk Tides 7 (Game 2)

Game 1 Box Score · Game 2 Box Score · Clippers move to 56-51

Game one of this doubleheader went down as a loss for the Columbus Clippers, but just barely. With the game tied in the bottom of the ninth (technically extra-innings in this doubleheader), Shawn Morimando gave up a lead-off home run to allow the walk-off win.

The two runs scored by Norfolk in the seventh to tie the game and send it to extras may or may not have been the fault of the Clippers Twitter account.

Other than two home runs (including the game-winner), Morimando has struggled since his impressive group of complete game shutouts earlier this month. Over his last four he allowed 20 runs and walked 10 batters.

Left fielder Daniel Robertson led the way offensively with a 3-for-4 day.

In game two, the Clippers offense came to play, especially the top of the order. Robertson, second baseman Ronny Rodriguez, and third baseman Yandy Diaz combined to go 7-for-13 at the top of the order. Rodriguez’s 3-for-6 game also included a double and a triple, leaving him a home run shy of a cycle.

Starting pitcher Julian Merryweather struggled over 3.2 innings, allowing five runs off eight hits with two strikeouts. This was just the third time this season Merryweather has struck out two or fewer batters.

Akron RubberDucks 2, Bowie Baysox 5 (Game 1)

Akron RubberDucks 3, Bowie Baysox 5 (Game 2)

Game 1 Box Score · Game 2 Box Score · RubberDucks fall to 51-54

Not a whole lot of good can come from losing two games in a row, but Greg Allen, who led off both games, went 3-for-6 with two walks. Allen has struggled since returning from the disabled list on July 4, slashing .190/.239/.254 in 71 plate appearances.

The rest of the RubberDucks offense was mostly absent in the doubleheader, and Shane Bieber walked another batter in his 4.1-inning start. Both starters (Bieber and Matt Esparza) left after allowing five runs, which is not a winning formula when your offense is taking the day off.

The RubberDucks are likely happy to see July end. Due to poor weather early in the season, they were forced to play seven doubleheaders in the month, four of which came in the last two weeks. As of now, they only have one scheduled for August.

Lynchburg Hillcats 2, Winston-Salem Dash 4 (Game 1)

Lynchburg Hillcats 3, Winston-Salem Dash 0 (Game 2)

Game 1 Box Score · Game 2 Box Score · Hillcats move to 62-44

Despite a solid start from 24-year-old Dominic DeMasi in game one, the Lynchburg Hillcats dropped the opener of their doubleheader on Sunday. The Hillcats offense managed just five hits in the loss, and they struck out 11 times to one walk. Looking at the box score, the fact that they managed to even score two is incredible.

They didn’t add much more offense in game two — six hits and two runs — but at least second baseman Ivan Castillo had a pair of hits in his two at-bats. The three-headed dragon of bullpen arms Kieran Lovegrove, Justin Garcia, and Luke Eubank combined to pitch the seven shutout inning innings, striking out 11 and allowing three hits.

Lake County Captains 6, West Michigan Whitecaps 9 (nice)

Box Score · Captains fall to 44-60

The Lake County Captains apparently missed the memo that today was doubleheader day, because they decided to just lose in one game instead of two.

It seems all of Brady Aiken’s luck regressed in this one game. He allowed eight hits, walked six batters and allowed seven runs in 2.2 innings. It’s not hard to see why he’s slipped on so many top prospect lists (and even fallen off some). His command just isn’t there, and now he’s getting hit all over the place. In his last 10 games, he’s walked 42 batters and struck out 32.

The Captains offense did its best to bounce back, especially late in the game, with six runs off nine hits. Center fielder Mitch Longo led the way (again) with three hits. First baseman Emmanuel Tapia, who leads the organization in home runs but isn’t great at everything else, wore a golden sombrero: 0-for-4, four strikeouts.

Mahoning Valley Scrappers 4, Batavia Muckdogs 1

Box Score · Scrappers improve to 24-15

The Mahoning Valley Scrappers have been hot lately, with their win yesterday giving them victories in four of their last six. Designated hitter Austen Wade led the offense with three hits, while third baseman Nolan Jones and first baseman Uslysses Cantu added two hits apiece.

AZL Indians 7, AZL Athletics 5

Box Score · Indians improve to 8-19

The AZL Indians offense came alive from top to bottom; everyone notched a hit and several finished with multi-hit games. Center fielder Gabriel Mejia continues to be an effective lead-off hitter, going 2-for-5.

Tre Gantt, a 29th-round selection in this year’s draft, went 2-for-3 as well, continuing a recent hot streak.

The DSL Indians had a scheduled off-day.