George Valera singles off of Corey Kluber in Double-A debut

Columbus Clippers 4, Memphis Redbirds 8

Box Score · Clippers fall to 44-51

The Columbus Clippers were able to rally some hits off of former first-round pick Matthew Libertore on Tuesday night but fell behind quickly after a disastrous first inning.

Robert Broom got the start for the Clippers, allowing six earned runs and getting just one of the seven batters he faced out. He also allowed three walks, three hits, and a home run before being pulled. Danny Young would allow two more runs in the first before the dust finally settled and the Redbirds had an 8-1 lead after the first frame. They wouldn’t score again, but they didn’t need to.

Will Benson, playing in just his third Triple-A game, went 3-for-3 with a walk and a double. Oscar Gonzalez added a double as well as his only hit and Nolan Jones walked and singled in the loss.

Akron RubberDucks 2, Somerset Patriots 6

Box Score · RubberDucks fall to 59-37

For several reasons, George Valera’s Double-A debut was a big occasion. For one, he gets to move from the Lake County Captains, who inexplicably still don’t have a reliable video feed, to the fully videofied RubberDucks. He’ll also be facing a higher level of competition after dominating High-A pitchers all season long. And, oh yeah, he faced Corey Kluber in his first at-bat.

No bat flips or big homers yet for the big center fielder, but you can bet they will be coming. And they will be glorious.

There weren’t many other hits off Kluber or any other Somerset Patriots pitchers, unfortunately. As a team, Akron had five, and Valera’s RBI single was the only hit with a runner in scoring position.

Juan Hillman had a rough first inning as he allowed back-to-back home runs and four total to cross the plate before the frame flipped. He calmed down through the next few innings but was pulled after 79 pitches through the fourth inning.

Reliever Manuel Alvarez struck out five of the eight batters he faced — a bright spot in an otherwise rough season for the 25-year-old righty.

Lake County Captains 6, Great Lakes Loons 17

Box Score · Captains fall to 52-45

This was a game to forget for now George Valera-less Lake County Captains. Like their older brothers, the Captains allowed a lot of runs early and weren’t able to catch up. Only, unlike the Clips and ‘Ducks, they kept allowing runs — 17 total by the end of the sixth.

Zach Draper’s day was cut after just 1.1 innings and five earned runs. Kevin Coulter didn’t last much longer at 4.1 innings, and he was forced to take the brunt of the damage with nine earned runs off of eight hits. To top it all off, Kellen Rholl couldn’t get a single out before allowing three runs and walking three.

The offense put up a fight with 12 hits to Great Lakes’ 15, but their late attempt at an epic rally fell short. The Captains started swapping in backups once the blowout was assured, and they combined to go 3-for-5 with a walk.

Harold Ramirez and Bobby Bradley both watched the bloodbath up close on rehab assignments. Neither had a hit in the losing effort and Bradley struck out twice before being replaced.

Lynchburg Hillcats 13, Kannapolis Cannon Ballers 1

Box Score · Hillcats improve to 48-49

The Lynchburg Hillcats turned yesterday’s formula on its head by racking up runs late and not allowing their opponent to score. A novel idea. Angel Martinez, Gabriel Rodriguez, and Miguel Jerez each had two hits apiece; Jerez also hit his fifth home run of the season in the ninth inning.

Brauny Munoz pitched a brilliant six innings with just one earned run off of two hits and tying his career-high with nine strikeouts. Alaska Abney closed out the game by striking out the side after allowing a walk.