Francisco Mejia homers for Columbus in losing effort

Columbus Clippers 6, Pawtucket Red Sox 9

Box Score · Clippers fall to 4-6

The Columbus Clippers dropped their series opener to the Pawtucket Red Sox, but it wasn’t for a lack of offense. They came out of the gate swinging with four runs in the first inning, including a traditional dinger from Francisco Mejia, and one of the inside-the-park variety two batters later from Adam Rosales, both of which can be seen below:

The Clippers scored two more runs over the final eight innings, but the Red Sox offense smacked around every pitcher they opposed, with the exception of Neil Ramirez. Alexi Ogando had a rough 4.1 innings, allowing three earned runs off five hits and two home runs. Relievers Jack Leathersich, Cole Susler, and Louis Head all allowed runs as well.

Akron RubberDucks 4, Altoona Curve 1

Box Score · RubberDucks improve to 5-5

The Akron RubberDucks were on the fortunate end of an absolute pitching meltdown on Monday.

Heading into the bottom of the eighth inning, with the game tied at one, the Altoona Curve turned to Jake Brentz to hold the tie and give their offense one last shot. He, uh, didn’t. Instead, he walked five of the six batters he faced; the only out coming from a sacrifice fly that scored Sam Haggerty. All told, the ‘Ducks exited the inning up 4-1 without recording a single hit in the frame.

They only finished with four hits as a team, with Sicnarf Loopstok adding the only extra-base hit with a triple, just the 11th in his career.

Shao-Ching Chiang pitched a solid six innings, allowing one earned run off five hits.

Lynchburg Hillcats 5, Frederick Keys 0

Box Score · Hillcats improve to 5-6

The Lynchburg Hillcats blanked the Frederick Keys on the back of a an effective, if not very flashy, six innings of work from Jake Paulson. The 26-year-old didn’t strike a single batter out, but he only walked one and he held the opposition to four singles.

Offensively, everyone but Alexis Pantoja finished with at least one hit. Logan Ice appears to be finally thawing from his cold start — he had his first multi-hit game Monday, going 2-for-4 and skyrocketing his batting average to .250 on the season.

The Lake County Captains had a scheduled off-day.