Game Recap 7/3: Clippers Extend Winning Steak

Clippers' winning streak reaches five

The Columbus Clippers extended their winning streak to five games on Saturday night as they defeated the Toledo Mud Hens, 7-1 at Fifth Third Field. The Clippers' bats continued their impressive stretch, pounding out 12 hits and their pitching staff stepped up their game as well.

Columbus jumped out to an early lead as Luis Valbuena hit his second home run as a Clipper in the first inning, a two-run homer to right field driving in Josh Rodriguez. The Clippers' second two-run inning was led by Wes Hodges in the fourth, as he drove home Jared Goedert on a single to left field. Hodges would later score on a bases loaded walk to Cord Phelps.

In the sixth inning, the Clippers added to their lead on a pair of RBI doubles by Chris Gimenez and Phelps. Rodriguez would conclude the Columbus scoring in the ninth when he drove home Phelps on a single to center.

Josh Tomlin continued to be Columbus' most consistent pitcher, going seven shutout innings, giving up only four hits while striking out six. Tomlin was nearly untouchable on the night, as five of his six strikeout victims went down swinging.

Baysox Snap Akron's Streak, Win 4-2

Thanks to clutch pitching and timely offense, the host Bowie Baysox defeated the Aeros 4-2 Saturday night to end Akron’s four-game winning streak. In front of 6,595 fans at Prince George’s Stadium, Bowie scored the deciding final two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning against Akron reliever Steven Wright. The Baysox (44-38) again lead the Aeros (40-41) by 3.5 games for second place in the Western Division.

Bowie took a quick 2-0 advantage in the bottom half of the first inning against struggling Akron starter Kelvin De La Cruz. After two fly outs started the frame, De La Cruz walked Tyler Henson, threw a wild pitch and allowed an RBI double to Brandon Waring. First baseman Robbie Widlansky then ended the rally with a run-scoring single to center.

Right-hander Steve Johnson, the starter for the Baysox on the night, permitted single hits in each of the first two frames before again running into trouble in the third. Catcher Damaso Espino walked to begin the inning and center fielder Tim Fedroff recorded the RBI on a double to left, cutting the deficit to just a single run.

An odd error helped the visiting Aeros tie the score at 2-2 in the fourth. Designated hitter Beau Mills drew a leadoff walk and John Drennen drew a one-out free pass as well to bring up Espino to the plate. He popped out to shortstop Greg Miclat, who missed the catch allowing Mills to score before recovering to get Drennen out at second base.

The lefty De La Cruz avoided damage before leaving after five innings pitched, giving way to the veteran reliever Wright. He recorded the first two outs of the frame, but promptly permitted back-to-back doubles to both Caleb Joseph and Miclat. That gave the hosts a one-run lead, while an error by third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall then brought in Miclat.

Akron stranded a pair of runners in the seventh inning but failed to produce any offense in the final two frames. The Baysox nearly scored again in the eighth against Bryce Stowell, but the dominant closer struck out the side to prevent a larger deficit.

Bob McCrory (1-0) earned the win for Bowie in relief as their entire bullpen combined for four shutout innings while only allowing one hit and two walks. Wright (0-1) took the loss as he allowed the two runs (one earned) in his two innings, and Pedro Beato recorded his seventh save with a perfect ninth. De La Cruz had one of his most efficient starts in the past two months, but still permitted two runs on five hits with five strikeouts in five innings.

Fedroff led the Aeros offensively as he led off and started in center field for the first time since June 13th. He collected three hits and an RBI, but the team finished 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position with 10 men left on base. Left fielder John Drennen was hitless in his two at bats despite a pair of walks, marking the end of his 11-game hitting streak.

Kinston Takes Out Keys 3-1

Kinston broke a scoreless tie with three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, going on to beat Frederick 3-1 Saturday night at Historic Grainger Stadium.

The bottom of the seventh started with three straight singles from Karexon Sanchez, Lucas Montero and Bo Greenwell. With the bases loaded and nobody out, Abner Abreu bounced a ball to the third baseman who tried to force out Sanchez at home, but ended up hitting Sanchez and getting saddled with an error. Kyle Bellows then grounded a ball to Frederick shortstop Pedro Florimon, who threw home to force out Montero. Up 1-0, Bo Greenwell would double the score by scampering home on a wild pitch from Frederick reliever John Mariotti. With one out, Kinston newcomer Chun Chen grounded out to the third baseman, scoring Abreu and putting Kinston up 3-0. Frederick's Mariotti (2-3) took the loss in relief. Montero and Greenwell each had two hits for Kinston.

Kinston benefitted from great pitching again tonight. Starter Austin Adams pitched 3 2/3 innings of scoreless ball, giving up three hits with one walk and four k's. David Roberts had a great relief performance, giving up just one hit while striking out a season high seven in three innings. Chris Jones (2-1) picked up the win, striking out all four batters he faced. Cory Burns gave up a run in the ninth inning, but went on to pick up his 15th save in 15 attempts for Kinston.

Captains Shut Out Whitecaps to End Home Stand

The Lake County Captains erupted for five first inning runs and never looked back as they shut out the West Michigan Whitecaps 7-0 on Saturday. The win salvaged the final game of the series. The Captains went 2-4 on the home stand.

The Captains scored five runs in the top of the first inning when Kyle Smith knocked in Jason Smit with a RBI single. Roberto Perez followed with a three run home run and Ben Carlson doubled in a run and the Captains led 5-0. The Captains added two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning when Carlson tripled home Roberto Perez and he would score on a Delvi Cid double, and it was 7-0.

Captains Starter Vidal Nino (3-2) got the win pitching five scoreless innings allowing two hits, walking one and striking out five. Antwonie Hubbard pitched two scoreless innings allowing one hit, one walk while striking out three. Jose Flores pitched the final two innings striking out three.

Whitecaps starter Nathan Newman (0-4) took the loss working four innings allowing five runs on five, walking one and striking out five.

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