The Clippers are now on a six game losing streak, Akron and Lake County rained out, and the Hillcats fall after strong starting pitching.
Columbus Clippers (12-11) – AAA
COL 3 – LHV 11
The Columbus Clippers continued their losing streak against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. LHP Will Dion got the start for Columbus and earned his second loss of the season. Dion pitched 4.2 innings, allowing five earned runs on nine hits and two walks. Dion struck out two. LHP Andrew Misiaszek allowed four earned runs in his one inning of work. He gave up three hits and walked three. He only struck out one. RHP Luis Frías was the only Columbus pitcher to not allow a run. In his 1.1 innings of work he only gave up one hit but struck out two batters. RHP David Leon closed the game, allowing another two earn runs on three hits.
Clippers offense didn’t get on base until Kyle Datres and Christian Cairo drew back-to-back walks in the top of third. They wouldn’t record their first hit until the top of the fourth when Petey Halpin hit a one-out, one-on double to center. The Clippers put two on the board when the next batter, Yordys Valdes, reached on a error that scored Jonathan Rodríguez and Petey Halpin. The last run for the Clippers was scored in the top of the seventh. Justin Boyd drew a lead off walk followed by Christian Cairo drawing a one-out walk. Will Brennan hit into a RBI ground out that scored Justin Boyd.
The Clippers will face Lehigh Valley in the fourth game of their five game series tonight at 6:35 PM EDT in Lehigh Valley. LHP Kolby Allard will take the mound for Columbus.
Akron RubberDucks (12-6) – AA
The RubberDucks were rained out last night. They will play a doubleheader against the Richmond Flying Squirrels tonight at Canal Park. Game 1 first pitch is at 5:05 PM EDT with LHP Rodney Boone will start Game 1. RHP Rorik Maltrud will start Game 2.
Lake County Captains (10-8) – High A
The Captains were also rained out last night. They’ll play a doubleheader today as well. Game 1 first pitch is at 5:00 PM EDT against the Great Lake Loons. LHP Josh Hartle will start Game 1 and the starter for Game 2 has not been named yet.
Lynchburg Hillcats (12-7) – Low A
FAY 9 – LYN 6
The Hillcats battled against the Fayetteville Woodpeckers in a late inning scoring battle. RHP Jervis Alfaro was the starting pitcher for the Hillcats. Alfaro threw five innings of scoreless baseball, only giving up two hits. LHP Donovan Zsak came on in the sixth inning, also giving up two hits, but one allowed a run. RHP Logan McGuire was given the loss for this game. McGuire only pitched one third of an inning, but allowed seven runs in his blown save. McGuire walked one, gave up six hits, and only struck out one of the eight batters faced. RHP Sean Matson finished the game for the Hillcats, throwing 2.2 innings and only allowing one run. Matson gave up three hits and struck out three.
The Woodpeckers starting pitcher also threw five innings of scoreless baseball. The first run of the game came in the top of the sixth, putting the Woodpeckers up 1-0 on the Hillcats. The Hillcats answered in kind with a two run home run off the bat of Bennett Thompson that scored Luis Merejo who reached on a single. In the bottom of the eighth, the Woodpeckers were leading 8-2, but the Hillcats tried to rally a comeback. Bennett Thompson reached on a one-out double to left. With two outs, Jose Pirela singled to left. Thompson scored and Pirela reached third on a throwing error. Yaikel Mijares singled to center to score Pirela before the side was retired. In the bottom of the ninth Tommy Hawke kicked of a second rally attempt with a lead off walk. Hawke scored when Welbyn Francisca doubled to center. With one out, Bennet Thompson grounded out to second base, scoring Welbyn Francisca. The Hillcats were within two runs with two outs, but were not able to finish the rally. A flyout to left for the final out closed the book on this game.
The Hillcats will face the Woodpeckers again tonight. First pitch is at 6:30 PM EDT with RHP Jacob Zibin getting the start.