Adam Plutko throws second straight scoreless outing in Columbus victory

Columbus Clippers 2, Pawtucket Red Sox 0

Box Score · Clippers improve to 5-7

Mike Papi had a strong game for the Clippers, going 2-2 at the plate with a hit by pitch and scoring a run in a contest where runs were scarce.

Starting pitcher Adam Plutko again was rock solid, tossing 6.0 shutout innings while striking out three and walking one and allowing just three hits. Plutko has now thrown 13.0 straight scoreless innings, dropping his season ERA to 2.00 after a poor first start of the year.

Giovanny Urshela started at shortstop in a rehab stint, going 0-1 with a walk. Eric Haase also went 1-3 with a double and a run scored.

Akron RubberDucks 4, Altoona Curve 2

Box Score · RubberDucks improve to 7-5

Conner Marabell continued his strong run since being activated from the disabled list, going 2-3 with a walk, double and the decisive go-ahead two-run home run to help Akron pull out a 4-2 victory on Wednesday.

Marabell also had two outfield assists.

Starting pitcher Aaron Civale pitched into and out of trouble all night, allowing 10 hits and two earned runs in 6.2 innings while striking out three and walking one. Leandro Linares and Luke Eubank combined to throw 2.1 scoreless innings to pick up the win and save out of the bullpen.

Lynchburg Hillcats 4, Frederick Keys 1

Box Score · Hillcats improve to 7-6

Conner Capel and Emmanuel Tapia had strong games for the Hillcats to lead the team offensively in a 4-1 victory over the Frederick Keys. Capel went 3-4 with a double at the plate, raising his season batting average to .302. Tapia went 2-4 with his first home run of the 2018 season. Tapia set a record for Lake County last year with 29 home runs.

Center fielder Jodd Carter also went 2-3 with a walk and a stolen base for the Hillcats.

Starting pitcher Zach Plesac was spectacular for Lynchburg, giving up just one run in 7.0 innings while striking out two, walking one and giving up three hits.

Just like Plutko, Plesac got off to a rough start this season, but he’s been great in his last two starts, giving up just two runs and four hits in 13.0 innings pitched.

Lake County Captains 2, Lansing Lugnuts 7

Box Score · Captains fall to 5-6

The struggles of Juan Hillman continue. The southpaw starter was tattooed again on Wednesday, giving up six earned runs on four hits, three strikeouts and three walks in just 3.0 innings of work.

On the season, Hillman has been tattooed to the tune of 16 runs (nine earned) on 14 hits in just 6.2 innings through three starts. He has walked six batters, hit one and struck out just four on the season. Hopefully the Indians brass can find out what is going wrong and rectify it for the former second round draft pick who was a mid-season All-Star for Mahoning Valley less than two seasons ago.

There wasn’t much to say offensively for the Captains other than Jorma Rodriguez, who stayed hot by going 2-4 with a double, a run batted in, a run scored and a stolen base. Ulysses Cantus also reached base twice going 1-3 with a walk.