Game Recap 6/22: Constanza Drives In A Clippers Win

Columbus offensive outburst beats Rochester, 10-5

The Columbus Clippers defeated the Rochester Red Wings, 10-5 in what looked to be a hitting clinic at Frontier Field on Tuesday night. In the game, there were three home runs, two for Columbus and one for Rochester, as well as Columbus tallying three double and two triples.

Jose Constanza opened up the scoring in the top of the second inning with a three-run triple to center field, driving in Brian Bixler, Cord Phelps, and Lou Marson. Constanza later scored on Michael Brantley's ground-rule double.

The Red Wings answered in the bottom of the frame with two runs, an RBI double from Jacque Jones followed by Jones scoring on a Toby Gardenhire single.

In the third inning, the Clippers added another run as Jared Goedert hit his fifth home run with Columbus. Rochester tied the game off the bat of Dustin Martin, as he hit his eighth home run of the season, a three-run shot to center.

Michael Brantley gave Columbus a 6-5 lead in the fourth inning after hitting his third home run of the season. The Clippers tacked on three more runs in the sixth inning as Constanza struck again with his second triple of the game, driving in his fourth and fifth runs of the night. Constanza would later score on a Josh Rodriguez sacrifice fly.

The Clippers continue their series with the Red Wings tomorrow night at Frontier Field, as the first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

Flying Squirrels Capture Opener 6-2

The Richmond Flying Squirrels won their first game against the Aeros this season by the final score of 6-2 at Canal Park Tuesday night. Richmond starter Mike MacDonald was brilliant in front of the 5,652 fans in downtown Akron as he delivered his finest start of the year and the visitors led the entire way after scoring four runs in the very first inning. The loss was the sixth in eight contests for the reeling Aeros (34-36) while the fourth-place Flying Squirrels (33-38) broke a five-game losing streak with the victory.

Richmond attacked in the top of the first against surprise Aeros starter Kelvin De La Cruz as the lefty allowed back-to-back one-out walks. Squirrels right fielder Roger Kieschnick then delivered a huge two-run double on a towering fly ball to center field and Michael Ambort plated him with another single to make it 3-0. Three batters later, catcher Jackson Williams provided the frame’s final run on a sacrifice fly to right field.

De La Cruz settled down after that and the contest was scoreless from the bottom of the first through the end of the seventh inning. Kieschnick helped the visitors strike again in the top of the eighth on an RBI single against Akron reliever Chen-Chang Lee. The Squirrels followed with three straight walks including a two-out run-scoring free pass permitted by new relief pitcher Shane Lindsay.

Akron’s offense followed immediately with a dramatic bottom of the eighth with the hosts still trailing Richmond 6-0. Shortstop Carlos Rivero homered on just the second pitch of the inning from MacDonald on a deep fly ball to the canal in left. An error and two bases on balls followed while third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall drew another RBI walk to cut the deficit to just four. Flying Squirrels reliever Tony Pena Jr., the fourth pitcher of the frame, then struck out Matt McBride looking to strand the bases loaded.

The ninth inning went smoothly from there as Lindsay allowed just one hit by pitch and Pena retired all three Aeros hitters to end the comeback attempt.

De La Cruz (1-4) took the loss after serving as a last-minute replacement for scheduled Akron starter Eric Berger, who was suffering from back stiffness. He permitted the first four runs on six hits and three walks with three strikeouts in five innings pitched. MacDonald improved to 2-6 on the season with the win as he allowed just two singles, a walk and the solo home run in 7.1 innings pitched while Pena earned his fifth save.

Rivero’s homer in the seventh was his third of the season and was a clutch hit to start the rally after he previously hit into double plays in the second and fifth innings. Chisenhall was the only Aero to reach base twice with his run-scoring walk and a single while second baseman Jason Kipnis went 0-for-3 to end his eight-game Double-A hitting streak.

This three-game series continues Wednesday night as the Aeros and Flying Squirrels have a 7:05 p.m. first pitch at Canal Park. Because of Berger’s late scratch, Akron has yet to announce their first pitcher for tomorrow while Felix Romero (0-1, 4.60 ERA) is Richmond’s expected starter.

Scrappers Shutout Again

The Mahoning Valley Scrappers were shut out for the second time in as many nights and third time this season as the Auburn Doubledays won 5-0 at Eastwood Field.

Lance Durham’s two-run home run in the top of fourth inning was the highlight as the Doubledays cruised to victory. With the loss the Scrappers are 2-3, while Auburn improved to 3-2. Right hander Scott Gracey came in relief and picked up the win pitching three scoreless innings, allowing three hits and striking out two.

Jordan Cooper was saddled with the loss lasting just 3.1 innings, giving up four earned runs on five hits. The Scrappers will look to salvage the third game of this series tomorrow night at Eastwood Field on Wendy’s Wednesday. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m.

Captains Contribute at the MWL All Star Game

Lake County Captains were well represented at the Midwest league All Star game at Parkview Field in Fort Wayne on Tuesday night as the Eastern Division defeated the Western Division 6-2.

Captains outfielder Bo Greenwell went three for four with a double, a RBI and scored two runs. Catcher Chun Chen, who was named to the MLB XM Futures Game earlier in the day, went one for two. Picher Nick Sarianides faced one batter and recorded a strike out.

The Captains will begin second half play on Friday June 25 at West Michigan at 7:00 PM.

Note: Kinston and Lake County are both off for their respective All Star breaks.

Posted in: