Game Recap 6/2: White Shines

Chisenhall's Slam Helps Aeros Defeat Erie 5-1

Lonnie Chisenhall was the star Wednesday night as he hit a grand slam to power the Aeros to a 5-1 victory over the visiting Erie SeaWolves. The designated hitter’s fifth inning blast helped secure the game for Akron in front of a crowd of 1,252 at Canal Park. Aeros prospect Alex White earned the win with yet another impressive quality start as Akron improved to 23-30 with theI third straight win and Erie dropped to 25-28.

The SeaWolves pounced on the scoreboard first in the top of the second inning against White. With one out, first baseman Michael Bertram smashed a 1-1 pitch into the bullpen in right field to give the visitors the early advantage. Carlos Rivero then started a rally in the bottom of that second against Erie starter and Ohio native Andy Oliver to help tie the ballgame. Rivero smacked a two-out double and second baseman Cord Phelps followed with an RBI single, bringing the score even at one run.

The two starters Oliver and White engaged in a classic pitcher’s duel for the next several innings until the monster fifth for Akron. John Drennen and Damaso Espino provided back-to-back singles and Tim Fedroff followed with a simple ground ball up the middle for what seemed like a routine double play. The Erie middle infield combination of Cale Iorg and Justin Henry fumbled the ball however, loading the bases for the recently returned Chisenhall. The youngest player on the Aeros roster then delivered in the clutch with a linED shot off the large billboard in center for his second home run of the year.

White remained in cruise control against the SeaWolves lineup as Akron maintained the four-run advantage. He worked into the seventh inning before passing the torch to the Akron bullpen while the Aeros third baseman had a chance at making history later that frame. Fedroff and Chisenhall each reached base with two outs and Jared Goedert stepped to the plate with an opportunity to extend his hitting streak to a franchise-record tying 22 consecutive games. Erie left-handed reliever Jay Voss struck out Goedert to end the inning and any shot at history at Canal Park Wednesday.

White was dominant as he improved to 2-1 with Akron, delivering 6.2 innings of efficient pitching on the night. He struck out seven batters, allowed just two hits and one walk for his third quality start in as many Double-A outings. Oliver (5-3) took the loss and was decent in his return to the state of Ohio as the error and the grand slam plagued his performance. He allowed five runs (four earned) while striking out five batters in five innings pitched. The Aeros bullpen shut out the opposing team yet again as relievers Bryce Stowell and Steven Wright combined for the final seven outs against Erie.

Leading the charge for the Akron offense was Chisenhall as his homer was his second in just five games since returning from the disabled list last week. He finished 2-4 overall with the deciding grand slam in the fifth as six other Akron hitters collected a single hit on the night. Goedert’s hitting streak ended at a miraculous 21 games in a row as he went failed to record a hit in his four at-bats while striking out twice.

Clippers Finish Strong Homestand

On the second day of June, the Clippers already have more series wins than they did a year ago. Carlos Carrasco got plenty of run support and the Clippers closed out a strong 7-1 homestand with a 10-7 victory over the Louisville Bats Wednesday at Huntington Park.

Wladimir Balentien put the Clippers in an early hole with a three-run home run in the first inning, but Columbus responded with two runs in their half of the first and another three runs in the third to take the lead. Carlos Santana hit a solo shot, his 11th of the season, to lead off the third frame.

After Louisville tied the game with two runs in the fourth inning, Columbus responded again - this time getting four runs of their own to take the lead for good, 9-5.

Chris Gimenez added a solo home run in the sixth inning and the Bats' Luis Terrero hit a two-run shot in the eighth to account for the final score.

Carrasco went six innings, striking out five and allowing five runs to pick up his fourth win of the season. Joe Smith earned the save with a clean ninth frame.

Kipnis Homers, Kinston Blanks Wilmington 2-0

A two-run home run hit by Jason Kipnis in the bottom of the first inning held up, as Kinston blanked Wilmington 2-0 Wednesday night at Historic Grainger Stadium. The K-Tribe would manage just one other hit in the game, but T.J. House, Chris Jones and Cory Burns combined for the Indians Carolina League leading seventh shutout of the season. The Indians defense was also spectacular, as Kinston outfielder Lucas Montero tied a Carolina League record with three outfield assists. With the victory, Kinston captured their eighth straight series win.

In the bottom of the first inning, Tim Melville walked Karexon Sanchez with one out. Kipnis then stepped in, delivering his team leading sixth home run of the season. The opposite field shot put Kinston up 2-0. After a two-out walk to Alex Castillo later in the inning, Melville would retire the final 13 K-Tribe batters he faced. Melville (1-6) was the tough luck loser for Wilmington, giving up just one hit while striking out six in five frames.

Kinston starter T.J. House (2-3) would pick up the win, scattering eight hits through five innings. House was helped by some great defense, starting in the top of the first inning. In the opening frame, Kinston's left fielder Montero threw out both Adrian Ortiz and Eric Hosmer as they tried to stretch singles into doubles. Montero would grab his record tying assist when he threw Rey Navarro out at home to end the fifth inning.

The Indians bullpen would finish strong, not allowing Wilmington to get another hit. Jones threw three scoreless innings, allowing just one base runner. Burns picked up his sixth save for Kinston this season, striking out the side in the ninth.

Captains Snap Up Another Win

Matt Packer registered his first professional win as a starting pitcher and Greg Folgia hit his second bases loaded triple of the year as the Lake County Captains defeated the Beloit Snappers 6-1 on Wednesday. The Captains have four bases loaded triples this year.

The Snappers scored first when Aaron Hicks lead off the ballgame with a home run off of Packer and it was 1-0. The Captains took the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning when Delvi Cid singled home Jeremie Tice and Kyle Smith to give the Captains a 2-1 lead. The Captains blew it open in the bottom of the sixth inning scoring four times. After a run scored on a wild pitch, Folgia hit his bases loaded triple to up the Captains lead to 6-1.

Packer (3-3) got the win pitching 5.2 innings allowing one run on six hits while striking out five. Jose Flores threw three 1.1 scoreless innings allowing a hit and striking out three. Tyler Sturdevant worked a scoreless inning striking out one and Jeremy Johnson a scoreless ninth inning striking out one as well.

Snappers starter Michael Tonkin (0-3) took the loss working 5.2 innings allowing five unearned runs on only two hits, walking one, hitting three and striking out two.

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