Game Recap 5/16: Santana Propels Clippers

Tomlin, Santana help Clippers beat Bulls

The Columbus Clippers found their stride and their bats on Sunday afternoon at Huntington Park, as they defeated the Durham Bulls, 5-0. Josh Tomlin pitched well for Columbus as he blanked the Bulls on the afternoon, a team that outscored the Clippers in the first two games of the series, 15-4.

Carlos Santana had another big game against the Bulls as he went 1-for-1 with a two-run homer in the fifth, two walks, and three RBI's. That bomb was his seventh and his three RBI's gave him 32 on the year. He also had a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the third inning that plated the Clippers second run of the ballgame.

The Clippers got out to an early lead today against the hot hitting Bulls as Wes Hodges hit his fourth home run of the season to left field in the top of the second inning. The Clippers weren't done either as the bats continued to provide runs in the bottom of the third. Jose Constanza and Michael Brantley each singled to start the inning, and after Santana's sacrifice fly, Shelley Duncan drove home Brantley on an RBI single to left.

Tomlin pitched six scoreless innings for Columbus earning the win and pitched out of two jams in the second and the fifth innings. Tomlin allowed eight hits, one walk, and struck out two as he moved to 4-1 on the season. The Clippers' pitching staff combined to induce five double plays on the afternoon, keeping the Bulls off the scoreboard. In relief for the Clippers, Joe Smith pitched one inning of relief walking one and striking out one, Frank Herrmann came on in the eighth, and Jensen Lewis kept the shutout for Columbus in the ninth.

For the Bulls, the team combined for 10 hits, four from Dan Johnson and two from designated hitter, Rashad Eldridge. The Clippers had seven hits on the afternoon by seven different players, as Brian Buscher and Chris Gimenez failed to get in on the hitting party.

Aneury Rodriguez fell to 2-2 on the season for Durham as he pitched six innings giving up five earned runs on seven hits.

Aeros Drop Series Finale to R-Phils Sunday

The Aeros lost a close one today 3-2 in front of a crowd of 3,564 at Canal Park. Aeros pitcher Paolo Espino took the loss and is now 3-2 with a 3.98 ERA on the year. Getting the win was Vance Worley who is now 2-2 on the season for the Phillies.

Reading got on the board early in the top of the first inning against Aeros starter Paolo Espino. Reading center fielder Quintin Berry started the game with a base hit to right field. Berry then scored on a tailor-made-double play, as Reading took the early lead.

The Aeros had the bases loaded in the bottom half of the third inning, but couldn’t capitalize as Vance Worley got first baseman Beau Mills and shortstop Carlos Rivero to pop out to end the inning.

In the top of the fourth inning the R-Phils scored two more runs off Espino as Kevin Mahar hit his second home run of the year.

The Aeros finally got on board in the bottom of the fifth inning when Rivero hit sac filed into center, bringing in Jared Goedert. In the bottom of the six inning Akron scored again as Josh Rodriguez sacrificed to right field bringing in John Drennen, making the score 3-2.

The Aeros offense was led by Jared Goedert, who went two of four with two doubles, a run scored, and a walk. Also producing for the Aeros was John Drennen, who was two of three with a double, and a run scored. The Aeros now have a team record of 14-23 while the Reading Phillies improved to 15-20 on the year.

K-Tribe Drop Finale

Kinston's pitching allowed a season-high 8 runs on a season-high 14 hits to Frederick as the Keys romped the Indians 8-1 in the series finale on Sunday at Historic Grainger Stadium. The Indians had clinched the series by winning the first two games of the weekend.

The hit parade started for the Keys when Buck Britton hit an RBI double in the second off of K-Tribe starter Nick Hagadone. Hagadone allowed two more runs in the fourth as Luis Bernardo and Ronnie Welty each had RBI hits for Frederick. Britton delivered another RBI double in the fifth to make it 5-0. Welty had his second RBI single to score a run in the sixth, and Bobby Stevens landed the final blow with a three-run triple in the eighth.

Kinston's lone run came on a Karexon Sachez double to score Jason Kipnis in the sixth. The K-Tribe was shut down by Frederick starter Ryan O'Shea (3-2), who gave up just one run on three hits in six innings for the win. He walked three and struck out four.

Hagadone (0-3) took the loss, pitching 3 2/3 innings and surrendering three runs on four hits. He walked five and struck out three.

TinCaps defeat Captains 3-1, to Avoid Sweep

The TinCaps avoided the sweep taking the series finale from the Captains, 3-1. Lake County starter Brett Brach in his second start suffered his first loss of the year.

Jason Hagerty drew a leadoff walk to start the fourth inning. A single by Jon Alia and a second walk to Griffin Benedict and the TinCaps had the bases loaded. Rymer Liriano drove in the first run with an RBI ground out. Wande Olabisi with the infield in drove in a pair of runs with a single up the middle and put Fort Wayne up, 3-0.

The Captains got a run back in the sixth inning; Jeremie Tice was hit by a pitch to get aboard. A base hit by Chun Chen gave Lake County runners on the corner. Jason Smit drove Tice in with a sacrifice fly to right field to make it 3-1.

TinCaps starter Jerry Sullivan (2-2) picked up the win throwing six innings, allowing just one run, walking two and striking out seven. Brach (0-1) was the losing pitcher for Lake County allowing three runs in four innings, walking two and striking out three. Schumacher picked up the save his fifth, tossing a perfect ninth. Captains' reliever Matt Packer pitched four scoreless innings, not allowing a hit, and striking out five.

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