Oscar Mercado steals four bases in monster game, Eli Morgan’s sensational start streak continues

Columbus Clippers 9, Louisville Bats 5

Box Score · Clippers improve to 8-5

With the score tied at 4, Columbus put five runs on the board to pull away from Louisville late on Wednesday.

Oscar Mercado was insane, going 3-4 with a double, a walk and four (!!!!) stolen bases. Brandon Barnes also went 3-4 with a double.

In his first game back with Columbus, Eric Stamets blasted a home run and reached base safely twice while Jordan Luplow also homered and walked.

Starting pitcher Sean Brady wasn’t particularly effective, allowing four runs on seven hits in 4.1 innings. The bullpen, however, combined to toss 4.2 innings of one-run ball thanks to dynamite performances by Brooks Pounders, Josh Smith and A.J. Cole.

Akron RubberDucks 5, Trenton Thunder 3

Box Score · RubberDucks improve to 4-9

Akron didn’t have many big hitters Wednesday, but the RubberDucks took advantage of five Trenton walks and and a pair of errors to put five runs on the board.

Alexis Pantoja went 2-4 while Mitch Longo went 1-3 with a triple and two walks to pace the Akron offense.

Starting pitcher Jake Paulson was excellent, allowing two runs on two hits in 7.0 innings without striking out a batter and walking three to earn the win.

Lynchburg Hillcats 7, Potomac Nationals 5

Box Score · Hillcats improve to 9-5

Oscar Gonzalez continued his scorching start to the 2019 season, going 2-3 with hit by pitch and a stolen base as Lynchburg rallied for seven runs in the seventh and eighth innings to come back and beat Potomac.

Mike Rivera went 2-4 with a stolen base and four runs batted in. Nolan Jones also went 1-3 with a walk.

Starting pitcher Eli Morgan was once again dominant. He allowed one run on four hits in 6.0 innings while striking out seven and walking two.

Reliever Kyle Nelson earned the win with 1.2 innings of scoreless pitching while striking out three.

Lake County Captains 4, Bowling Green Hot Rods 10

Box Score · Captains fall to 8-5

Juan Mota was knocked around for six runs on five hits in 5.0 innings while striking out five and walking four. His battery-mate wasn’t effective either as Thomas Ponticelli allowed four more runs on seven hits in his three innings of work.

Will Benson was the lone Captain to have a multi-hit game, going 2-3 with a double, a walk and a stolen base. Hosea Nelson walked three times and stole a base while Tyler Freeman walked twice with a stolen base and Mitch Reeves hit a home run and walked.