DSL Indians
by Joseph Coblitz
With only seven games left in the season, the Dominican Summer League Tribe look ready to coast for the rest of the season safely in last place and 20 games out of even a Wild Card spot. In the six games during the last week they went 1-5 and, while they have had some strong pitching performances this year Luis Oviedo, Luis Valdez and Jose Oca all had appearances where they allowed at least four runs. Of these, Oca’s last Saturday was the worst. He came in to relieve Valdez after he allowed three runs in the first while retiring only two and Oca could only get one more out and didn’t do so until he had allowed five more runs to score.
Offensively, two players who have stood out all season, Wilbis Santiago and Ronny Dominguez, continued to do so. They both reached base in every game they played (both played five of six) with Santiago scoring four runs on seven hits and Dominguez scored four on six hits and three walks. The pair provided most of the DSL Indians offense for the week and Santiago is now leading the team with a .325/.388/.433 line along with 17 runs, 17 RBI and five steals while Dominguez is hitting .274/.321/.348 with 19 RBI, 23 runs scored and 12 steals.
AZL Indians
by Joseph Coblitz
Last week, Gregori Vazquez got my attention with an excellent start against the AZL Reds and this week he deserves special commendation as the AZL Indians top pitcher, making two starts for 11.2 innings, allowing just four runs across them. In addition, Cesar Ventura has also been moved into the starting rotation and had a great appearance against the Brewers this week, striking out three and allowing just one run in five innings.
Another interesting story on the mound this week was Paul Hendrix, who pitched a scoreless inning and earned a hold, walking two and striking out one against the Dodgers. Hendrix was originally drafted in the 18th round in 2013 as a short stop and has played more than 300 games at short, second and third since. After hitting .216/.323/.324 in 65 games this year, the Indians have decided to convert him into a pitcher and, in one short appearance he looked up to the task. They will now have to fight his age (24) and years of team control in advancing him quickly enough that he could potentially benefit the team at some point.
Mahoning Valley Scrappers
by Caitlin Boran
Busy, busy, busy…what a week for the pups! Coming off of a great week last week, they rode into this week pretty smoothly. They have finally reached a .500 record at 29-29, that puts them at third place, 9.5 games out of first behind second place Williamsport and first place State College.
Over the last seven days, they’ve had two double headers on Saturday and Wednesday, and the All Star Game on Tuesday. Of those double headers, the Scrappers went 3-1, winning both against the Williamsport Crosscutters (5-2 and 3-2), and the first of the two against the Batavia Muckdogs (10-3 and 3-5).
The win against the Muckdogs is LHP Brady Aiken‘s first win with Mahoning Valley, going 5 innings, with 6 strikeouts, 3 walks, 3 hits and a home run.
During the NYP All Star Game, the Scrappers had six players on the Southern roster, with only five getting play time (2B Erlin Cerda, OF Andrew Calica, DH Todd Isaacs, CF Gabriel Mejia, LHP Tanner Tully and LHP Juan Hillman). Of the five, Calica went 1-1 with an RBI and SB, and Cerda went 1-2 with HR and 3 RBI. At the end of the game, Cerda was named the NYP All Star Game MVP. The South beat the North 9-5.
Another week in the books, 7-3 of their last ten, the best 10 game record in the Pinckney division. Do they have enough bite left, with only 17 games to go in the season, to take over second place? Or maybe even first? Only one way to find out!
Lynchburg Hillcats
by Justin Lada
Like their parent club up north, Lynchburg dealt with weather issues that forced them two have two games postponed and turned into two seven inning double headers. In the week the Hillcats went 4-3 but split the two double headers.
Lake County Captains
Akron Rubber Ducks
Leading the way offensively last week for the Ducks was Nellie Rodriguez, who has collected seven hits in his last 21 at bats, including three home runs, which brings him to 22 on the season. He also raised his slash line to an impressive .253/.344/.475. Meanwhile, after Greg Allen had torn up AA initially after his promotion, he has cooled off recently, going just 3-19 last week.
On the pitching front, Rob Kaminsky continues to be Akron’s ace, going seven innings on Friday night while only allowing one earned run and picking up the win for Akron. He lowered his season ERA to just 3.34, though a lack of strikeouts 78 K in 110.2 IP) continues to limit his upside as a prospect.
After Akron finishes up a weekend series in Bowie, they will have an excellent chance to chase first place in the division during a seven game.
Columbus Clippers
The Clippers are 72-54 and owns a nine-game lead over Indianapolis in the International League West Division. They are home for a three-game set against Toledo this weekend, then play three games at Indianapolis, beginning Monday.
Since being moved from fifth to third in the batting order, Giovanny Urshela is hitting .361 with two homers and 18 RBI in 83 at bats over 20 games. He has lifted his season average to .273 after a horrendous start. On Monday he had his consecutive plate appearance without a walk or HBP streak snapped at 241, drawing his first walk since June 11. The lineup shuffle also seems to be helping Jesus Aguilar. Aguilar has remained in the fourth spot in the order, but now has Urshela in front of him instead of behind him.
Since being returned from the Indians, Erik Gonzalez is hitting .311 with 5 HR and 8 RBI over 12 games and 45 AB. His slugging percentage is .756. He now has a career-best 11 HR on the season and is batting .298 (career high is .309 with Carolina and Akron in 2014).
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
