The Indians' three-run sixth inning rally wasn't enough to overcome an early 4-0 deficit as they lost to Columbus. Chase d'Arnaud kickstarted the Indianapolis offense with a home run leading off the sixth to cut the deficit to 4-1. The blast was d'Arnaud's sixth of the season and third in the last week. d'Arnaud finished 2-for-4 but no one else had an extra-base hit. Alex Presley and Matt Hague both went 2-for-4 with two singles. Anderson Hernandez, Dallas McPherson and Brandon Boggs also singled. Brock Holt had a rare hitless game, going 0-for-4 to drop to .384. The Pirates' top two relief prospects and likely September callups both pitched and gave up runs in relief of Rick VandenHurk. Bryan Morris gave up two runs, one earned, in the sixth inning, while Justin Wilson followed by allowing a run over two innings. Wilson allowed a home run but did strike out three. VandenHurk allowed five hits, two runs and one walk over five innings with five strikeouts, but his offense and bullpen failed to help him so his record dropped to 12-5.
AA Altoona| Altoona 7 Richmond 0
We all thought Jameson Taillon had a fantastic outing against the offensively talented Trenton Thunder in his Altoona Curve debut on August 21st, right? Well think again because tonight's start, his home debut, against the Richmond Flying Squrrels (I know, right? How funny of a name is that?) was just plain domination by Taillon. If he did not give up his lone hit, an infield single in the fifth, the start would have been perfect. This still was probably Taillon's best start of his professional career at it being in Double-A makes it even more impressive. He ended up going six innings while striking out seven and walking none. With the help of the offense and a strong three innings of relief by Hunter Strickland, Taillon was able to earn his second win in as many starts. So far with Altoona, Taillon was pitched 11 innings of shutout ball only allowing five hits, walking none, and striking out 13. To quote the late Ronnie James Bio of Black Sabbath in their famous song "War Pigs": "Treating people like pawns in chess!"
Offensively, Ramon Cabrera had himself a night going 3-for-4 and his 21st two-bagger of the season. Jarek Cunningham had a big one out two-run "trip, trip, triple" in the second that plated the first two Curve runs of the game. Gustavo Nunez continues his rehab assignment going 2-for-4 with a double tonight. Matt Curry also kept up his fantastic season belting a two-run shot in third; his 11th on the season. Curry now has a .291 batting average and 74 RBI on the season and may be in line for a call-up to Indianapolis once MLB rosters expand in September.
A West Virginia | West Virginia 0 Hickory 7
The offense and pitching failed all-around for the Power today in a 7-0 blowout where the team mustered only three hits and gave up 15 of them. But the positive story out of this one was star Gregory Polanco returning to the field. Polanco was activated from the disabled list and started in the cleanup spot as the designated hitter. Even though Polanco went 0-for-4, it was his first action since getting hurt in a two-home run performance on August 9. Fellow top prospect Alen Hanson had the day off, and only Alex Fuselier, Chris Lashmet and Ashley Ponce recorded hits for West Virginia. Lashmet hit his 15th double of the year. The Power lineup struck out 12 times. Robby Rowland has had an effective year in low-A, and today was one of his stranger starts as he only allowed one run in 4.2 innings but gave up nine hits. Rowland walked one and struck out four and suffered the loss. Orlando Castro, who had also been effective of late since his promotion from State College, had a bad outing and gave up four runs, three earned, in 1.2 innings. Rinku Singh allowed two runs in 1.2 frames also. Pat Ludwig was the only pitcher not to allow a run, and kept his ERA perfect in his first three outings for West Virginia.
A Bradenton | Bradenton vs. Fort Myers (PPD due to rain)
Just like their game against the Jupiter Hammerheads last night, the Marauders battle royale against Fort Myers was postponed due to rain with Hurricane Issac ripping through the Gulf Coast. Bradenton will send the big righty Casey Sadler to the hill for Game 1 of the doubleheader against Fort Myers starting at 5 P.M. Sadler brings his 4-5 record and 3.62 ERA to the mound as the Marauders sit within 2.5 games of first place in the Florida State League South Division standings.
A State College | State College vs. Jamestown (PPD due to rain)
Just like Bradenton, the Spikes had their game tonight against the Jamestown Jammers postponed due to rain. Tonight's rained out game will be made up as part of a doubleheader against the Jammers on August 30th. Jason Creasy was slated to start for State College tonight and instead will take the ball tomorrow as the Auburn Doubledays come to town. Creasy is win-less on the season with a 0-4 record and a 4.99 ERA. The Spikes are riding a 5-0 win against Jamestown and a great pitching performance by Clay Holmes on Saturday night.