Nellie Rodriguez walks it off Saturday for Columbus with two-run homer

I was having some internet issues and couldn’t post the minor league recap yesterday. Every Indians affiliate was rained out on Sunday, so I figured I’d post the Saturday recap now since there’s an off day for the Tribe today.

Columbus Clippers 5, Durham Bulls 3

Box Score · Clippers improve to 4-5

After a 2017 he would like to forget, Nellie Rodriguez looks like a new man this year at Triple-A Columbus. Rodriguez was the hero for the Clippers on Saturday, hitting a 2-run walk-off home run as Columbus overcame a 3-0 deficit.

Rodriguez and Brandon Barnes both went 3-4 at the dish with a home run and two runs batted in. After batting just .170 in 120 games at Triple-A last season, Rodriguez is sporting a healthy .292/.320/.417 slashline to begin the 2018 season.

Playing left field, top Indians prospect Francisco Mejia went 2-4 with a double and a home run, his first ever at the Triple-A level.

Ben Taylor tossed two perfect innings of relief with four strikeouts to earn the win.

Akron RubberDucks 0, Trenton Thunder 1

Box Score · RubberDucks fall to 4-5

Big left-hander Sean Brady pitched well, but allowing one run four innings was too much as the Akron offense was completely mystified by the Trenton pitching staff to the tune of just two hits and three walks while striking out 10 times and being shut out.

Conner Marabell returned from the disabled list to pick up his first hit of the season, going 1-3. Andrew Calica walked and stole a base for the RubberDucks in the loss.

Lynchburg Hillcats 2, Wilmington Blue Rocks 5

Box Score · Hillcats fall to 4-6

Lynchburg’s bullpen blew a tremendous start from Justin Garza, allowing five runs in the seventh inning, accounting for all of Wilmington’s runs in a 5-2 defeat Saturday.

Conner Capel went 2-4 at the plate with his first home run of the season. Luke Wakamatsu, Emmanuel Tapia, Jodd Carter and Logan Ice also all reached base safely twice.

Garza tossed five shutout innings, striking out five, allowing two hits and walking just one. Luis Jimenez relieved him and promptly gave up four runs on four hits and a walk in 1.1 innings of work.

Single-A Lake County’s game on Saturday was postponed due to rain.