Game Recaps 8/8: Scrappers move back into first with win

Joseph Colon (Photo: Lianna Holub)

Scrappers beat Auburn, back in first

Mahoning Valley beat Auburn on Monday night to split the two-game series and move back into a first place tie with Auburn with four weeks to play in the season.

Right-hander Joseph Colon was steady in his start going four innings and allowed two runs on five hits, one walk, and had four strikeouts. The bullpen was sensational the rest of the way as the trio of Nate Striz, Drew Rucinski, and Grant Sides combined to throw five shutout innings limiting Auburn to three hits and no walks while striking out six.

Outfielder Bryson Myles was once again the first starter at the top of the lineup as he went 2-for-5 with a run scored and RBI. First baseman Jake Lowery went 2-for-4 with a double, a walk, and two RBI, catcher Alex Lavisky went 2-for-4 with a double, walk and RBI, outfielder John Barr went 3-for-5 with two runs scored, and outfielder Aaron Siliga went 2-for-3 with a triple, walk, and RBI.

Clippers win 11-3

With solid pitching and an offense that struck early and often, the Clippers routed the Louisville Bats 11-3 on Monday night.

David Huff went 6.2 innings and gave up three runs off of six hits. Matt Langwell pitched 2.1 innings of scoreless relief and struck out three.

The offense exploded for four runs in both the second and fourth innings, and scored three in the sixth. Overall, they recorded 15 hits.

Among the standout Clippers' hitters was Cord Phelps, who finished a home run shy of the cycle. Phelps went 4-4 with two runs scored and two runs batted in. Chad Huffman and Beau Mills had three hits and a home run a piece. Tim Fedroff and Luis Valbuena each drove in two runs.

The Clippers look to extend their nine game winning streak against Louisville Tuesday at 7:05pm.

Kinston loses 11-6 to Lynchburg

The Lynchburg HillCats (18-25, 48-65) defeated the Kinston Indians (22-20, 60-51) 11-6 on Monday Night at Calvin Falwell Field in Lynchburg City Stadium. The HillCats put the game out of reach in the bottom of the seventh when they pushed three big insurance runs across home plate. Andrelton Simmons, who had a two-run single and knocked in his fifth and sixth RBI's of the ball game in the seventh, highlighted the inning with that single. That three-run inning put the HillCats made the score 11-6 and put Lynchburg ahead for good.

The scoring began in top half of the second inning. Tyler Cannon started the assault with a single to left field. Casey Frawley also singled putting two runners on for the K-Tribe. Frawley was eliminated at second base but Cannon came home to score on an error. Later in the inning, with the bases loaded Tyler Holt singled home another run making the score 2-0 K-Tribe headed to the bottom half of the second inning.

The HillCats tied the game in the bottom half of the third inning when they sent six hitters to the plate. The big hit of the inning was a double by Todd Cunningham. The score was dead even at two after three complete innings in Lynchburg Virginia.

The seesaw game continued when the Indians took back the lead in the top half of the forth inning. Justin Toole singled and came in to score later in the game by Holt. That was Holt's second RBI of the game. The score headed to the bottom of the forth was 3-2 Kinston.

The bottom of the forth inning was very eventful as well. In the bottom half of the inning, Lynchburg had the first three men reach base, and then they all came around to score. The big blow that plated two came from Andrelton Simmons who singled with two outs to center field. The side was retired and the K-Tribe trailed 5-3.

The K-Tribe rallied again to take the lead in the top half of the fifth inning Jordan Casas, Adam Abraham and Jesus Aguilar all singled and loaded the bases. That chased Lynchburg starter Chris Masters from the game. Andrew Wilson entered the game. On the first pitch, Frawley hit a sacrifice fly plating the first run. Wilson then un-corked a wild pitch which chased home Abraham. The game was re-tied at 5 when Justin Toole stepped to the plate and laced a single to left field to give the K-Tribe a 6-5 lead.

Trey Haley entered the game with a one run lead in the bottom of the sixth inning. With one out and two runners on base, Simmons cleared the bases with a triple to right field. The throw from Frawley on the relay was wide of third and it trickled into the Lynchburg dugout. With the error, Simmons was awarded home. The HillCats now enjoyed a two run lead at 8-6 heading to the seventh inning, and they never looked back.

Andrew Wilson earned the win, and improved his record to (2-3) on the season. Trey Haley got the loss for the Kinston and he saw his record fall to (1-1). The Lynchburg HillCats and Kinston Indians will meet again Tuesday Night at 7:05pm in Lynchburg, Virginia. The First pitch is scheduled for 7:05pm.

Dragons stop Choo and the Captains 3-0

David Vidal had the final say at Classic Park on Monday night, his two run bomb in the third inning led Dayton to a 3-0 win over Lake County. Shin-Soo Choo in a rehab assignment with the Captains went 0-for-2.

Donald Lutz reached on an error to start the second inning for the Dragons and came all the way around and scored from third on a sacrifice fly to right field to make it 1-0.

Mitch Clarke (3-1) picked up the win for the Dragons tossing six scoreless innings allowing just two hits, walking one and striking out six. Mike Goodnight (5-11) took the loss allowing three runs, one earned on three hits, walking two and striking out four.

Lake County and Dayton wrap up their four game series at Classic Park at 7PM on Tuesday night. RHP Felix Sterling (2-1) will get the start for the Captains against RHP Kyle Lotzkar (1-1) for the Dragons.

Note: Akron had a scheduled off day.

Follow Tony and the Indians Prospect Insider on Twitter @TonyIPI. Also, his latest book the 2011 Cleveland Indians Top 100 Prospects & More is available for purchase for $20.95 to customers in the US (shipping and handling extra).

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