Tanner Bibee squeezed by umpire in third Columbus start

Columbus Clippers 3, Toledo Mud Hens 5

Box Score · Clippers fall to 8-9

Wednesday was Tanner Bibee day, but it wasn’t quite as impressive as it usually is. Not to be one to make excuses, but Bibee was the recipient of an incredibly inconsistent strike zone from an umpire that squeezed him on the edges repeatedly, leading to several more walks than should have happened.

Bibee’s final line was 4.1 innings pitched with three runs allowed on three hits with five walks and four strikeouts.

Offensively, the Clippers chased Toledo’s starting pitcher in the first inning with three runs, but then never scored again. Micah Pries and Zack Collins both reached base safely twice, both going 1-3 with a walk. David Fry added a double.

Akron RubberDucks 5, Harrisburg Senators 3

Box Score · RubberDucks improve to 7-4

Akron starting pitcher Doug Nikhazy had a rough day with his command, allowing three runs on seven walks while failing to get out of the third inning.

On the bright side, a rehabbing Sam Hentges tossed a scoreless inning of relief in his first pro action of 2023.

Another starting pitcher Jack Leftwich had a sensational performance, tossing 3.0 perfect innings with four strikeouts.

Bryan Lavastida continues to heat up, going 2-4 with a double and three runs batted in. Joe Naranjo also went 2-3 with a double and a walk and Angel Martinez went 1-3 with a walk.

Lake County Captains 5, Lansing Lugnuts 4

Box Score · Captains improve to 6-4

Lake County outhit Lansing 16-4 but it took until the bottom of the ninth inning for the Captains to walk it off. Thankfully, Isaiah Greene picked the perfect time to get his first hit of the day, going 1-4 with a walk, a stolen base and three strikeouts.

There were plenty of other offensive standouts in the day. Junior Sanquinton went 3-4 with a double, Yordys Valdes went 2-4 with a home run, Joe Lampe and Juan Brito both went 2-5, with Brito connecting for a double and Christian Cairo went 2-4.

Starting pitcher Aaron Davenport allowed three runs (two earned) in 4.1 innings with six walks and six strikeouts, but the real pitching star of the game was piggyback partner Reid Johnston, who tossed 4.0 innings of relief, allowing one run on two hits with five strikeouts and one walk to earn the win.

Lynchburg Hillcats 2, Salem Red Sox 5

Box Score · Hillcats fall to 5-6

Lynchburg had a rough day offensively and defensively, committing four errors and only collecting five hits.

Lexer Saduy was the lone Hillcat to reach base safely twice with a hit and a walk, although pinch hitter Nate Furman went 1-1, raising his season OPS to 1.048. I don’t think he’ll be staying at Lynchburg for too long.

Starting pitcher Austin Peterson worked around nine hits allowed in 4.2 innings to allow four runs (one earned) while striking out four and walking none.