Mahoning Valley pitchers throw combined no-hitter, Columbus qualifies for Triple-A playoffs

Columbus Clippers 6, Louisville Bats 2

Box Score · Clippers sail to 75-54

The Clippers completed a four-game sweep of Louisville and clinched a division title and playoff berth thanks to Daniel Johnson. Johnson went 2-4 with a two-run home run and a bases-clearing three-run double, knocking in five runs overall while also recording a walk.

Eric Stamets went 2-4, Jake Bauers walked three times and stole a base, Bobby Bradley walked three times and Max Moroff homered to round out the other offensive contributors.

Starting pitcher Scott Moss, acquired in the Trevor Bauer trade from the Reds, continues to impress. He tossed 5.0 scoreless innings, allowing just one hit while striking out seven and walking three to earn the win. In his four starts since the Tribe traded for him (two in Akron, two in Columbus), Moss has allowed just two earned runs in 20.0 innings.

Akron Rubber Ducks 5, Richmond Flying Squirrels 4 (F/10)

Box Score · Rubber Ducks improve to 57-72

Alexis Pantoja played hero for Akron on Thursday.

The 23-year-old utility infielder went 3-5, including a walk-off single in the bottom of the 10th inning to win the game.

Mitch Longo also went 3-5 with a solo home run and two runs scored to pace the RubberDucks. Ernie Clement, Alex Call and Nellie Rodriguez all reached base safely twice with the help of at least one walk.

Returned Rule 5 pick Kyle Dowdy was roughed up for four runs in 3.2 innings on six hits, but Akron received some tremendous bullpen help.

A rehabbing Carlos Carrasco tossed 1.2 perfect innings with four strikeouts. Hopefully he can join the Cleveland bullpen shortly, perhaps as closer?

Henry Martinez added 2.1 scoreless, hitless innings and Dalbert Siri was tremendous down the stretch, striking out four in 2.0 scoreless innings to earn the win.

Lynchburg Hillcats 4, Winston-Salem Dash 9

Box Score · Hillcats fall to 58-66

Lynchburg actually outhit Winston-Salem 13-12, but the Hillcats had a runner thrown out at the plate and hit into a pair of double plays to stifle scoring opportunities.

Jonathan Laureano went 3-4 with a double, Jodd Carter went 1-2 with a home run and a walk, Tyler Freeman went 2-4, Jason Rodriguez went 2-4 and both Mitch Reeves and Gavin Collins went 1-4 with a walk.

The Hillcats actually led heading into the eighth inning but a bullpen implosion cost them the game as Justin Garza and Jonathan Teaney were tattooed for six runs in the frame.

The poor relief spoiled a decent start from Luke Morris, who allowed just one run in 4.1 innings while striking out six and walking two.

Lake County Captains 4, Bowling Green Hot Rods 16

Box Score · Captains fall to 69-59

Believe it or not, Lake County actually led 4-0 at one point in this game

Starting pitcher Shane McCarthy was ridiculous. He only pitched 3.1 innings, but he recording a whopping 10 strikeouts in the process. Yes, all of his outs in the game were strikeouts.

McCarthy also allowed two earned runs on three hits and didn’t walk a batter. Four relievers followed McCarthy and none of them allowed fewer than two runs in a brutal bullpen day.

Jonathan Englemann and Eric Rodriguez were the lone standouts offensively, both collecting two hits and both homering.

Mahoning Valley Scrappers 8, Bowling Green Hot Rods 16

Box Score · Scrappers improve to 69-59

Three pitchers pitched three innings each for Mahoning Valley on Thursday and none of them allowed a hit, combining to toss the third no-hitter in Mahoning Valley franchise history.

Indians 2019 fifth round pick Hunter Gaddis opened the game with 3.0 perfect innings, striking out six and walking none. Tribe 2019 18th round pick Matt Waldron followed with 3.0 no-hit innings, striking out four, walking one and having one batter reach on an error.

International signing Luis Sanchez closed the game out with 3.0 perfect innings, striking out one to finish off the no-no.

Offensively, Korey Holland went 3-4 with a walk from the leadoff position, scoring a pair of runs. Brayan Rocchio went 2-5 with a run scored and a run batted in, Bryan Lavastida went 2-4 with a double and a walk and Yainer Diaz went 2-5 with a double.

AZL Indians Blue 8, AZL Dodgers 9 (F/10)

Box Score · Indians fall to 34-19

The AZL Indians Blue had four players stand out offensively Thursday, but the bullpen couldn’t hold a late lead.

Pedro Alfonseca went 2-5 with a home run and a stolen base, Jose Colina went 2-4 with a home run, Jose Tena went 2-5 with a double and Chris Cespedes went 2-4.

Starting pitcher Luis Garcia was terrific, allowing two runs (zero earned) in 6.0 innings while striking out three and walking none. Unfortunately, the bullpen gave up four runs in the ninth inning and one more in the 10th, which the Indians couldn’t respond to.

AZL Indians Red 8, AZL Dodgers Lasorda 10

Box Score · Indians fall to 25-28

The AZL Indians Red outhit the AZL Dodgers 15-13, but couldn’t string their hits together as well as their opponent.

Will Bartless went 3-4 with two runs scored, two runs batted in and a walk while Gabriel Rodriguez went 3-5 with a double to lead the Indians Red. Christian Cairo went 2-3 with a walk and a hit by pitch, Cesar Idrogo went 2-5 and Zach Weatherford collected the first two hits of his professional career, going 2-4 with a double.

Unfortunately, Indians Red pitchers began and ended the game by giving up four runs in the first and the ninth innings, respectively.

DSL Indians 1, DSL Pirates 4 (F/6)

Box Score · Indians fall to 26-41

The Indians were leading 1-0 until giving up a run to tie it in the fifth and then three more in the top of the sixth before the game was called due to rain.

The box score was unreliable due to scoring mistakes.