Game Recap 4/23: Clippers, Captains Stay Hot

Clippers Come Back For 6-2 Win

The Columbus Clippers scored five late runs to beat the Toledo Mud Hens, 6-2, on Friday night at Fifth Third Field.

The Clippers got on the board in the third inning thanks to a one-out single by Trevor Crowe, a stolen base, and a two-out RBI single by Shelley Duncan.

The Mud Hens loaded the bases in the bottom of the third against Columbus starter Scott Lewis on a single and a pair of walks, but could not score.

Toledo tied the game in the fourth on a leadoff double by Danny Worth, an error by third baseman Brian Buscher, and an RBI single by Will Rhymes.

The Hens took the lead in the fifth thanks to an error on Columbus shortstop Anderson Hernandez. Jeff Frazier led off with a double and moved to third on a groundout by Jeff Larish. After a Casper Wells strikeout, Worth hit a grounder to Hernandez that should have ended the inning. Instead, Frazier scored and the inning continued. Robinzon Diaz followed with a double to deep right field, but second baseman Jason Donald’s throw home on the relay from Crowe nailed Worth at the plate for the third out of the inning.

The Clippers went ahead for good in the top of the seventh inning. Scot Drucker allowed a leadoff single to Michael Brantley, and three walks – one intentional – forced in a run to tie the game. Wes Hodges followed with a sacrifice fly to make it a 3-2 game in favor of Columbus.

In the eighth, Columbus added three runs to extend their lead to 6-2. An error by Toledo shortstop Brent Dlugach allowed the leadoff man to reach, and a double off the bat of Jose Constanza and a Michael Brantley walk loaded the bases. A single by Donald drove in two, and after a double play and a walk to Clippers catcher Carlos Santana, Duncan singled to cap the scoring.

Josh Tomlin (1-1) picked up the win for Columbus. Scot Drucker (2-1) took the loss after allowing five runs – three earned – in two innings pitched.

With the loss, the Mud Hens fall to 9-7, while the Clippers re-claim sole possession of first place in the International League West at 10-6.

Aeros Lose Again, 12-9

Akron raced out to a 9-2 lead in the 4th inning, but a poor effort from the bullpen and an offensive attack that went silent helped Bowie battle back and win the game 12-9.

Right-hander Zach Putnam started the game and had his first rough outing of the season going four innings and allowing five earned runs on eight hits, three walks and had three strikeouts. Things did not get better when Putnam was lifted in the 5th inning as the bullpen of Brian Grening, Chen Lee and Vinnie Pestano combined to throw four innings and allow five earned runs on seven hits, one walk, and had four strikeouts.

Third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall continued his hot start going 3-for-5 with an RBI in the game. Outfielder Tim Fedroff 2-for-6 with an RBI and second baseman Cord Phelps 2-for-5 with an RBI paced the offense.

Bowie and Akron square off again on Saturday night, and the Aeros will send lefty Scott Barnes to the hill to hopefully get Akron back in the win column.

Myrtle Beach Beats Kinston 6-5

Myrtle Beach erased a four run deficit, coming back to beat Kinston 6-5 Friday night at Historic Grainger Stadium.

The K-Tribe bats got to Myrtle Beach starter Jose Ortegano early and often. In the bottom of the second inning, Nate Recknagel led off with a double and Abner Abreu followed with a single. Kyle Bellows picked up his sixth RBI of the year with a single to drive in Recknagel. Richard Martinez would follow with an RBI single of his own, as the first four K-Tribe batters to the plate in the second inning reached with a hit. Ronald Rivas drove in the third run of the inning with a sacrifice fly. Lucas Montero would make the score 4-0 when he led of the bottom of the third inning with a home run. The shot was Montero’s 25th career home run.

Kinston starter Joey Mahalic would keep the Myrtle Beach bats at bay, allowing just five hits and one earned run over 5 2/3 innings of work. Mahalic struck out five and did not walk a batter.

Things got messy in the seventh inning for K-Tribe reliever Travis Turek, when the Pelicans led off the frame with a Gerardo Avila walk, then followed with a Jesus Sucre single. With one out in the inning, Shayne Moody delivered an RBI ground out and Ryan Barba delivered an RBI single, cutting the K-Tribe lead to one.

After an error by K-Tribe third baseman Karexon Sanchez started the eighth inning, Geraldo Rodriguez delivered a one out triple to tie the score at four. The K-Tribe then went to the bullpen, pulling out Matt Langwell. Langwell, who had not given up an earned run all season, saw his first pitch sail over the wall for a two-run home run from Avila. It was Avila’s second homer of the season. The K-Tribe would add a run in the eighth inning, but it wasn’t enough as the Indians fell 6-5. The win snapped a seven game Myrtle Beach losing streak.

Turek (0-1) picked up his first loss of the season; Matt Crim (2-0) got the win in relief for Kinston.

The K-Tribe takes on Myrtle Beach Saturday night at Historic Grainger Stadium. Game time 7 pm as Kelvin De La Cruz will get the start for the Indians.

Captains Slip By 3-2

The Lake County Captains pitched well and got timely hitting from the offense to edge Bowling Green by a final score of 3-2. With the win the Captains are now 13-3 on the season.

Right-hander Trey Haley put forth his best effort of the season with five strong innings allowing two runs on six hits, two walks, and had five strikeouts. Right-hander Rob Bryson got the win in relief with two shutout innings of work, and right-hander Cory Burns earned his fifth save with a scoreless inning of work in the 9th inning.

Outfielder Casey Frawley went 2-for-3 with a double and walk, and first baseman Ben Carlson chipped in going 2-for-4 with a double and RBI.

The two teams meet up on Saturday night and the Captains will send right-hander Joe Gardner on the hill.

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