The Clippers wrapped up the first half of their 2010 season with a see-saw affair in Louisville on Sunday, getting a game-tying home run in the ninth from Cord Phelps and then another an inning later from Wyatt Toregas to take a 10-inning decision, 7-5.
The host Bats got out to an early lead thanks to a Zack Cozart homer, but the Clippers responded in the second inning when Brian Bixler singled home Nick Weglarz. That lead was short-lived, however, as Danny Dorn hit his fourth homer against Columbus in the bottom half of that same inning.
Columbus took the lead in the fourth thanks to a Weglarz home run and an RBI-double from Phelps. But they gave it right back, and then some, in the bottom half of that frame, with the big blow in Louisville's three-run inning coming from a Chris Denove single that scored two.
Toregas cut the 5-3 deficit in half when he singled home Jared Goedert in the eighth, which set the stage for Phelps blast leading off the ninth. The home run in the 10th (which also scored Weglarz) was the first of the year for Toregas, who was playing his first game for Columbus this season.
Jess Todd (3-2) picked up the win by throwing two scoreless innings of relief. Vinnie Pestano worked a perfect ninth for his sixth save.
The International League takes a break for the Triple-A All-Star game on Wednesday, with the Clippers returning to action Thursday night in Norfolk.
Erie Strikes Late in 5-1 Victory over Aeros
The host Erie SeaWolves capitalized on a fielding error in the eighth inning to break a late tie and win 5-1 Sunday afternoon at Jerry Uht Park. First baseman Beau Mills committed a fielding error with one out and a runner on second in the frame, leading to four unearned runs in front of the 2,192 fans in attendance in downtown Erie. The loss snapped Akron’s four-game winning streak, dropping the team to 45-44 on the season while the victory for the SeaWolves improved them to 37-53 overall.
The early portion of the contest featured an old-fashioned pitcher’s duel between Aeros starter Scott Barnes and Erie’s Charles Furbush. The two left-handers each finished with quality starts and Barnes made the first mistake in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Third baseman Audy Ciriaco tripled to center with one out and Rawley Bishop scored him in the next at-bat with a sacrifice fly. Akron collected their first hit of the game against Furbush on a Mills single in the fifth before finally tying the score at 1-1 in the sixth.
Left fielder Tim Fedroff began that frame with a double before advancing to third base on a groundout by catcher Damaso Espino. Third baseman Cristo Arnal followed with another sacrifice fly, and the visiting Aeros nearly struck again right afterwards. Furbush left the game with the bases loaded and just one out in the seventh but right-handed reliever Zach Simons forced Carlos Rivero to ground into an inning-ending double play.
Connor Graham entered the game in relief for Akron to begin the eighth inning and struggled from the start. Right fielder Kody Kaiser doubled to begin the game-winning rally and Andy Carrithers drew a one-out walk. Mills then committed the crucial error, loading the bases just in time for an RBI fielder’s choice and a two-run triple by Ciriaco. Left fielder Michael Bertram capped the frame with a single to left, giving Erie the final 5-1 edge.
Simons (2-3) earned the win by facing just four batters in 1.2 perfect innings pitched of relief. Graham took the loss in falling to 2-5 on the season, permitted four unearned runs on three hits and two walks while only retiring two outs total. Meanwhile, Barnes had his third straight quality start in allowing one run on four hits with four strikeouts in seven innings pitched and Furbush struck out nine batters in his 6.1 innings as well.
The Aeros collected only four hits on the night, led by the lone extra-base hit on the fourth inning double by Fedroff. The hit extended his hitting streak to 11 consecutive games, matching his personal-best for the 2010 season in Double-A. Designated hitter Matt McBride also singled in the seventh, continuing his success away from Canal Park.
This four-game series and the first half of the Eastern League regular season schedule conclude Monday night with a 7:05 p.m. first pitch start in Erie. Akron hopes to remain in striking distance from the wild card playoff spot with lefty Eric Berger on the mound (4-4, 4.74 ERA) against SeaWolves starter Thad Weber (5-9, 4.05 ERA).
Keys Clip Kinston 11-2
Frederick led from start to finish, handing Kinston an 11-2 loss Sunday night in Maryland.
The Sunday night contest got off to a rough start for Kinston. In the bottom of the first inning Kinston starter Joey Mahalic walked Frederick’s Kyle Hudson with one out. As Hudson attempted to steal second base, Kinston catcher Alex Castillo threw high to the bag and the ball sailed into center. Kinston centerfielder Donnie Webb had trouble gathering the ball and Hudson would end up scoring. Both Castillo and Webb were tagged with errors on the play. In the second inning, Frederick earned their run with three singles, the RBI knock coming from Pedro Florimon. Frederick extended their lead to 4-0 when the middle of their lineup began the third inning with four straight hits. Jacob Julius would knock in both runs for Frederick. Mahalic (3-4) would lose his second straight game to Frederick, giving up four runs (three earned) on nine hits in 5 1/3 innings. Mahalic walked three and did not strike out a batter.
Kinston bats would struggle early as Frederick starter Nathan Moreau retired the first ten K-Tribe batters he faced. The Indians would turn things around in the fourth inning, starting with a Karexon Sanchez one-out single. With two outs, Jeremie Tice delivered and RBI double. After a Donnie Webb walk and a Juan Diaz single loaded the bases, Tice scored from third on a wild pitch. With the Frederick lead cut to two runs, Kinston’s bats would disappear again, as the K-Tribe managed just three more hits for the remainder of the game. Tice and Diaz each had two hits for Kinston.
Up 5-2, the Keys would get to the K-Tribe bullpen late as L.J. Hoes and Pedro Florimon each hit home runs off of reliever David Roberts in the bottom of the seventh inning. Jacob Julius added a three-run home run off of Brian Grening in the eighth inning. Frederick starter Nathan Moreau (3-0) would win his second straight start against Kinston, giving up three hits and two runs in five innings. Frederick would bang out 14 hits on the night against Kinston.
The K-Tribe will finish up the road series with Frederick on Monday night at 7pm. T.J. House will start on the hill for the Indians.
Captains Snap Skid With 4-1 Win
Matt Packer dominated WhiteCap hitters for six scoreless innings allowing just three hits as he anchored the Captains to a 4-1 win. Lake County snapped a three game skid with the win over West Michigan.
The Captains took the lead in the first inning, when Argenis Martinez singled with out to get aboard. Chris Kersten doubled off the left centerfield wall for a double to score Martinez and Lake County led 1-0.
In the fourth inning Chris Kersten was hit a by a pitch from Trevor Feeney. With Kersten on second base Ben Carlson singled with two outs to drive in Kersten for a 2-0 lead.
Casey Frawley reached on an error to start the sixth inning. A single by Kersten put runners on the corners. Trevor Feeney’s wild pitch with two outs allowed Frawley to score easily giving the Captains 3-0 edge.
Lake County added another run in the eighth inning after back to back leadoff hits by Delvi Cid and Argenis Martinez. Kersten stepped up and hit his second RBI double of the game putting the Captains up 4-0, it was Kersten third hit of the game.
Preston Guilmet came into pitch the ninth, and surrendered a one out, solo homerun to Avisail Garcia his third of the year. Guilmet went on to strike out three.
Packer (7-4) picked up the win in his six innings of work, walking two and striking out four. Francisco Jimenez pitched two innings giving up just one hit. Trevor Feeney (7-9) took the loss going seven innings allowing three runs on five hits striking out three.
Lake County and West Michigan will wrap up their three game series Monday night at 7:00PM from Fifth Third Ballpark. The Captains send RHP Brett Brach to the mound for the start against LHP Jared Wesson for the WhiteCaps.
Scrappers fall in extras, 6-4
The Mahoning Valley Scrappers lost Sunday night to the Hudson Valley Renegades 6-4 in 12 innings. J.D. Goryl gave up Luis' two-RBI double and got the loss, his second of the season. Omar Bencomo picked up the win for the Renegades.
With the loss, the Scrappers dropped to 10-13 on the season while the Renegades improved to 9-13 on the season. The Scrappers will play game two of this three-game series with Hudson Valley tomorrow night. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m.
Photo courtesy of Lianna Holub
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