The Columbus Clippers decided that one day out of first place was enough, as they opened a huge weekend series against the Louisville Bats with a 12-4 victory Friday night at Huntington Park. Until Thursday, Columbus had spent 120 straight days in first place, but a pair of big innings helped them back into the International League West lead.
Wladimir Balentien's two-run homer in the second inning gave the Bats the early lead, but the Clippers responded with three runs in their half of the frame on a bases-clearing Jose Constanza triple - aided by a setting sun in the eyes of Louisville left fielder Todd Frazier, which prevented him from cutting the ball off in the gap.
Columbus then broke the game open in the fifth. Constanza doubled, then advanced to third on a bunt single from Ezequiel Carrera and scored on a Cord Phelps single. Jared Goedert's double plated both Carrera and Phelps and then Drew Sutton, against his former team, capped off the inning with a two-run home run.
That would be plenty of run support for David Huff, who gave up a run in the eighth and lasted seven-and-two-thirds innings, giving up three runs on five hits while striking out three. He improved to 7-0 as a Clipper in 2010.
For good measure, Phelps added a grand slam off of Jason Isringhausen in the bottom of the eighth. Sam LeCure, who lasted just five-and-a-third and was responsible for the first eight runs scored by Columbus, took the loss to fall to 7-3.
The Bats added a meaningless run against Carlton Smith in the ninth to account for the final score.
The big three-game series resumes Saturday night at 7:05, with righty Paolo Espino (0-1, 4.26) slated to start against Indy southpaw Travis Wood (5-6, 3.12).
Aeros Blast Rock Cats Friday, Win 11-7
A franchise-record tying three triples and a seven-run fifth inning highlighted an 11-7 victory for the Aeros Friday night over the visiting New Britain Rock Cats. Akron pounded 17 hits on the night including six of the extra-base variety while tying season-highs with the six runs and seven base hits in the fifth. The win improved the Aeros to 60-57 this season and just 2.5 games behind second-place Bowie in the Western Division wild card race while the last-place Rock Cats fell to 34-85.
New Britain began the scoring early against Akron starter Kelvin De La Cruz in the first two frames. Juan Portes plated two runs with a double to left and an RBI single from Joe Benson gave the visitors a quick 3-0 advantage.
Two errors helped the Aeros later in that second as a misplayed infield single turned into a run and center fielder Jordan Henry continued the rally with a run-scoring hit to center.
De La Cruz struggled again in the third inning as the Rock Cats extended their lead to 6-2. Two more walks preceded a clutch two-out, three-run home run into the left field canal from Jeff Howell that put the hosts in a large early deficit.
Akron’s comeback began in the third on a sacrifice fly from shortstop Carlos Rivero before the record-tying fifth inning. Second baseman Jason Kipnis homered to begin the frame against starter Deolis Guerra while Rivero knocked Guerra out of the game with an RBI double to left-center. After the second out of the inning, catcher Juan Apodaca followed with a pivotal 12-pitch walk that created even more opportunities for the Aeros.
Designated hitter Cristo Arnal then cleared the bases with a three-run triple to left and Henry tripled him home on a liner to dead center. Kipnis then recorded his second RBI of the frame on a single to left to extend the lead to 10-6 and cement the lead for good.
Mark Dolenc hit a solo home run to begin the sixth and another Akron RBI triple in the seventh, this time from left fielder Tim Fedroff, provided for the final margin of the night.
Nick Hagadone (2-1) earned the victory with two innings of relief, allowing one run but pitching in the midst of the offensive attack. Guerra (2-9) permitted seven runs (five earned) on 10 hits in just 4.1 innings pitched and he now has a 0-6 record in his last seven starts. De La Cruz surrendered six runs with six walks in four frames in the start but relievers Chen-Chang Lee and Omar Aguilar retired the final nine New Britain batters.
Seven of the nine Aeros hitters finished with at least two hits led by Henry’s three hits and his third triple of the season. Arnal tied a career-high with three RBI via his fifth inning triple as well and this was the sixth instance of three three-baggers in franchise history.
Akron’s home stand continues tomorrow against New Britain at 7:05 p.m. for an exciting Saturday night at Canal Park. The first 1,500 fans in attendance will receive a replica of the 2009 Akron Aeros Eastern League Championship ring, sponsored by Distillata Water. The hit show “Beer Money” from Sports Time Ohio will also film around the stadium.
The Aeros aim for a third straight victory Saturday with ace Alex White (6-6, 2.45 ERA) on the mound against a to-be-determined pitcher for the Rock Cats.
Kinston falls to Hillcats 6-1
A fantastic Carolina League debut set the tone for a 6-0 Lynchburg win over Kinston, Friday night in Virginia.
Lynchburg starter Josh Ravin was impressive in his Carolina League debut, baffling the K-Tribe through six innings. After giving up a game starting walk to Bo Greenwell and a one-out hit to Jeremie Tice later in the inning, Ravin retired the final 16 batters he faced. Ravin (1-0) walked one and struck out six.
Fresh off a spot start with Double A Akron, Kinston starter T.J. McFarland was rudely welcomed back to the Carolina League by Lynchburg. Two singles chopped through the left side by Andrew Means and Neftali Soto, led to the first run of the ballgame from Lynchburg. The Hillcats then blew the game open thanks to a sloppy third inning. Three hits, an error, a hit batter and a wild pitch lead to four unearned runs. Eight batters reached the plate in the third frame as Lynchburg took a 5-0 lead. McFarland (10-4) took the loss, giving up five runs (four unearned) on seven hits in six innings. He did not walk a batter and struck out six.
Lynchburg would add to their lead when Soto hit his 18th home run of the season in the bottom of the seventh inning. The hit came at the expense of Kinston’s David Roberts. Roberts gave up two hits in two innings of work. Kinston got on the board in the top of the ninth inning when Abner Abreu delivered an RBI single. After three straight games of double digit hits, Kinston managed just four hits (all singles) on the night.
The three game series continues Saturday night in Lynchburg at 7:05 pm. Joey Mahalic will get the start for Kinston.
TinCaps Blast by Captains 3-2
Fort Wayne’s Nate Freiman hit a 3-1 pitch off Captains starter Vidal Nuno with two runners on and two outs lifting the TinCaps to a 3-2 win over Lake County. The Captains finished the seven game road trip with a 3-4 record.
Lake County took the lead in the top of the sixth inning. Adam Abraham singled off Matt Jackson to leadoff things off. Chris Kersten hit a towering two run homerun his ninth of the season taking the lead 2-0.
Fort Wayne’s Danny Payne reached a check swing, infield single down the third baseline with one out. Nuno walked the catcher Jason Hagerty with two out putting two runners on base, setting up Freiman.
TinCaps’ Jackson (4-1) picked up the win pitching three innings in relief giving up two runs on four hits, striking out three. Vidal Nuno (5-6) suffered the loss despite a strong effort, going 5.2 innings giving up three runs on seven hits, striking out three. Miles Mikolas picked up the save his fifth of the year with a perfect ninth.
Lake County returns home to Classic Park on Saturday night at 7:00PM to take on Dayton. The Captains will start RHP Brett Brach (4-6) against RHP Daniel Corcino (0-0) for the Dragons.
Scrappers Win Close One
The Mahoning Valley Scrappers defeated the Lowell Spinners 3-2 on Friday night, winning for their fifth time in their last seven game.
Right-handed pitcher Michael Goodnight made an impressive near-flawless pro debut going three shutout innings and allowed one hit and no walks while striking out three. Kirk Wetmore picked up the win in relief tossing four innings of one-run ball and allowed two hits, one walk and had five strikeouts.
Outfielder Carlos Moncreif went 2-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI, and first baseman Chase Burnette went 1-for-4 with a 2B and RBI to lead the Scrappers offense. The Scrappers play game two of the series on Saturday evening at 5:05 PM, and Casey Gaynor is expected to get the start.
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2 comments:
Hey Tony,
Do the Indians see Goodnight as a starter, or is it that they figured having him start him in Low-A Single Season would be the best way to break him into Pro ball. I really hope to see him as the Indians closer in the future, for obvious reasons of course.
I think initially Goodnight will start, like Austin Adams. But I think long term he ends up in the bullpen as a late inning prospect.
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