Columbus and Lake County end ugly losing streaks thanks to strong pitching

Thursday was filled with doubleheaders and another rainout for Cleveland affiliates, but there were definitely some bright spots, particularly at the lower levels.

Columbus Clippers 3, Indianapolis 2

Box Score · Clippers improve to 9-16

The streak is over! Columbus had lost eight games in a row entering Thursday, but they finally put a halt to the losing stretch with a 3-2 win over Indianapolis.

The Clippers scored once each in the third, fourth, and fifth innings, and that was all they needed to win thanks to the best pitching performance of the season from Kirk McCarty.

McCarty allowed just two runs on five hits in 7.0 innings while striking out seven and walking two.

Andrés Giménez blasted his first home run since being demoted to Triple-A. Gabriel Arias walked twice, Oscar Mercado stole a base and Daniel Johnson had a double.

A combination of Justin Garza, Blake Parker, and Trevor Stephens held down the fort to hold the lead with two scoreless innings to close out the game.

Lake County Captains 6, Dayton Dragons 3 (Game 1)
Lake County Captains 1, Dayton Dragons 0 (Game 2)

Game 1 Box Score · Game 2 Box Score · Captains improve to 13-14

Lake County entered Thursday on a seven-game losing streak, but they ended that with a doubleheader sweep.

In game one, the offense was led by Aaron Bracho, who went 2-for-4 with a home run, his second in as many days.

Will Brennan also went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run and a walk. In game two, Brennan allowed the Captains to walk off as 1-0 winners with a pinch-hit double for the win.

Quentin Holmes also walked twice with a stolen base in game two and Victor Nova went 2-for-3.

In game one, Logan T. Allen had a quality start, allowing three runs on five hits in six innings while striking out eight batters and walking just one. Nic Enright closed out the game with a scoreless seventh inning.

Game two was a pitcher’s duel, and Juan Zapata was brilliant. Zapata tossed 5.2 scoreless one-hit innings while striking out three and walking three. Tim Herrin earned the win with 1.1 scoreless innings of relief, striking out one.

Lynchburg Hillcats 3, Salem Red Sox 7

Box Score · Hillcats fall to 15-11

Sergio Morillo continued his struggles in the Lynchburg rotation. This time around, he was blasted for seven runs on seven hits in 2.1 innings while walking three and striking out none.

The Lynchburg bullpen was brilliant the rest of the way, holding the Salem offense scoreless over the game’s final 6.2 innings. Cade Smith pitched 2.2 scoreless innings and Miguel Vinicio was sensational, tossing four scoreless innings. Either of them might be replacing Morillo in the starting rotation soon.

Offensively, the Hillcats were held in check until they made the game interesting in the bottom of the ninth inning with a three-run outburst, but the rally fell short.

Gabriel Rodriguez had the lone multi-hit game, going 2-for-4 and Angel Martinez had a double.