Akron pitches two shutouts in double header, Luis Oviedo bounces back strong

Columbus Clippers 4, Toledo Mud Hens 2

Box Score · Clippers improve to 11-5

Oscar Mercado and Mark Mathias set the table well for the Clippers offense from the No. 1 and No. 2 spots in the lineup. Mercado went 2-4 with two doubles and a walk while Mathias went 1-4 with a triple and a walk. They scored three of the Clippers’ four runs.

Jordan Luplow went 2-4 with a stolen base and Trayce Thompson blasted a solo home run in the ninth inning to give Columbus a three-run cushion.

Starting pitcher Asher Wojciechowski had a fascinating line for the day, striking out nine batters in 5.0 innings while giving up one run on three hits. He also walked five batters. Here he is earning his ninth strikeout of the day.

With the Indians bullpen imploding last night, perhaps it’s good news to hear that Tyler Clippard tossed his second consecutive scoreless rehab outing. Hopefully he’ll be available to give some much needed relief soon.

Akron RubberDucks 1, Bowie Baysox 0 (F/8)
Akron RubberDucks 2, Bowie Baysox 0

Game 1 Box Score · Game 1 Box Score · RubberDucks improve to 7-9

Daniel Johnson was a great spark in game one, going 2-3 with a walk and a stolen base. He was intentionally walked in the bottom of the eighth inning, eventually coming around to score on a Ka’ai Tom walk-off single.

Starting pitcher Zach Plesac was sensational, tossing 5.0 shutout innings on four hits while striking out five and walking two.

Nick Sandlin made his 2019 debut after returning from a minor forearm injury, and he pitched a scoreless inning with two strikeouts. David Speer earned the win with two scoreless innings of relief to close out the game.

In the second game, Akron won despite collecting just three hits. One of the hits was an RBI double from Wilson Garcia, the other was a solo home run from catcher Li-Jen Chu.

Starting pitcher Tanner Tully also was terrific, outclassing Plesac by pitching 6.0 shutout innings on four hits while striking out six and walking one.

James Karinchak closed things out with a scoreless seventh inning to earn his third save, although the bum only had one strikeout in his hitless performance.

Lynchburg Hillcats 2, Myrtle Beach Pelicans 4
Lynchburg Hillcats 1, Potomac Nationals 4

Game 1 Box Score · Game 2 Box Score · Hillcats fall to 9-8

Steven Kwan and Tyler Friis did their best to try to set the table for the Hillcat offense in game one. Kwan went 1-2 with a pair of walks while Friis went 2-4 with two doubles, but the clutch hits didn’t come as the team went 2-13 collectively with runners in scoring position.

Luke Wakamatsu also reached base safely twice, going 1-2 with a double and a walk.

Starting pitcher Justin Garza wasn’t particularly effective, allowing three runs on four hits in 4.1 innings to take the game one loss.

In game two, Nolan Jones went 2-3 while Trenton Brooks went 1-2 with a walk as the only Hillcats to reach base safely twice. Luke Wakamatsu also went 1-2 with a stolen base.

Starting pitcher Nick Gallagher pitched well, striking out seven while allowing just one run in 4.0 innings on one hit while walking one. Unfortunately, Felix Tati gave up three runs in his three innings of relief to take the loss.

Lake County Captains 12, South Bend Cubs 6
Lake County Captains 12, South Bend Cubs 6

Game 1 Box Score · Game 2 Box Score · Captains move to 10-6

Lake County couldn’t get anything going offensively in game one, managing just five singles with no walks.

The lack of offense ruined a great pitching performance from Alex Royalty, who allowed just one run on four hits in 5.0 innings while striking out five

In game two, Tyler Freeman played hero, going 1-2 with his first home run of the season while also walking, stealing a base and scoring a second run. Catcher Angel Lopez also hit a home run.

Starting pitcher Luis Oviedo bounced back from the worst start of his career last week, allowing just one run in 6.0 innings while striking out five and walking three.