Irwin returns, Taillon is OK, Holmes isn't

Three games on Thursday, with Bradenton rained out.

-- Indianapolis ran its record to 21-7 by beating Lehigh Valley, 9-6. Phil Irwin threw four shutout innings in his return to action from a dead arm phase. He allowed just one hit, walked two, fanned three, and threw 37 of 60 pitches for strikes. Irwin also contributed a double to the offensive cause. Brandon Cumpton allowed two runs in four innings to pick up the win. The Indians took a 9-2 lead into the 9th, but Erik Cordier gave up four runs while recording only two outs. Vic Black had to get the last out, picking up his seventh save. Jordy Mercer (pictured) went 2-5 with a double, a walk and four RBIs. His batting average is now 3.8 times that of John McDonald (or 3.8 BA/OM). Ivan De Jesus, Jr., went 3-4 with a double and a walk, leaving him at 4.5 BA/OM. Josh Harrison (4.03 BA/OM) went 2-3 with a double and two walks. Matt Hague and Felix Pie each collected a piece of the action with two hits as well.

-- Altoona's offensive woes continued, as the Curve dropped a 4-1 decision to Akron. They managed only three hits and fanned 17 times. Adalberto Santos went 2-4 with a double. The rest of the team went 1-26 with 16 strikeouts. Jameson Taillon allowed three runs, two earned, over six innings. He gave up seven hits and a walk, and fanned six.

-- Clay Holmes struggled as West Virginia lost to Greensboro, 8-1. Holmes allowed all eight runs in four innings. He gave up eight hits and three walks, and hit three batters, while striking out only one. The bullpen allowed no hits or walks over five innings. Ryan Hafner accounted for two of those innings and fanned three. Max Moroff and Stetson Allie each went 2-3 with a walk. Allie also doubled.