Cole goes seven innings, Polanco goes deep

Saturday's action:

-- Gerrit Cole (pictured) had his best start of the season as Indianapolis topped Gwinnett, 4-1. It wasn't the cleanest start, as he walked four, but Cole went seven innings and allowed just three hits and one run. He fanned five and threw 57 of 97 pitches for strikes. Jose Contreras struck out the side in the 8th and Vic Black had a 1-2-3 9th with two more strikeouts. Matt Hague went 3-4 with two doubles for the Indians. Jordy Mercer and Alex Presley went 2-4.

-- Jameson Taillon had a solid start, but Altoona lost to Erie, 3-1. Taillon allowed three runs in 5.2 IP, but he pitched better than the effect on his ERA. He recorded a strikeout with two out in the 6th, but the pitch got away, the batter reached and the next batter doubled him in. Because it was ruled a wild pitch, the run was earned. Taillon finished with five hits and two walks allowed, and seven strikeouts. Recently demoted Oscar Tejeda went 3-4 with a double. Carlos Paulino went 2-3.

-- Bradenton took a 5-4 lead into the bottom of the 5th against St. Lucie, but allowed nine runs over the next two innings and lost, 13-5. Most of the damage came against the bullpen, but starter Robby Rowland struggled, allowing five runs on five hits and three walks in four innings. He fanned two. Alen Hanson went 1-3 with two walks. Gregory Polanco, Dan Gamache and Willy Garcia all went 2-5. Polanco connected for his second HR and Gamache doubled. Garcia, who's been in a deep slump, added a triple.

-- West Virginia dropped a 1-0 game to Savannah. Starter Orlando Castro took the loss despite allowing just six hits and no walks over 6.2 IP. He fanned four. Jason Creasy retired the last four hitters, fanning two. D.J. Crumlich went 2-3 and Barrett Barnes went 1-3. Josh Bell went 0-4 with three strikeouts and Stetson Allie 0-3 with two strikeouts.