Cannonballs coming: Hutchison, Hinsz both shelled

West Virginia was rained out for the third straight time.

— In a pitching matchup well suited for those with a morbid sense of humor, Drew Hutchison (pictured) faced Mark Appel as Indianapolis (24-20) lost to the International League’s best team, Lehigh Valley, 10-6. The matchup didn’t last long. Indy jumped on a very wild Appel for six early runs, but Hutchison resorted to the longball to keep pace, serving up three. By the end of four, the score was 6-6 and both starters were gone. Hutchison lasted four, giving up five earned runs on four hits and two walks, with five strikeouts. Dovydas Neverauskas followed Hutchison and again had trouble in trying to go past one inning, giving up a pair of runs in the sixth. Neverauskas’ problems with multiple-inning outings is not going to help him reach the majors with a team that seems to think its bullpen should be composed almost entirely of middle relievers. Indianapolis meanwhile went hitless over the game’s final seven and a third innings. Chris Bostick went 1-4 with a walk and his fourth HR.

Austin Meadows: 0-4
Max Moroff: 1-3, 2B, BB
Elias Diaz: 1-4
Phil Gosselin: 0-3, BB
Eric Wood: 0-2, 2 BB
Barrett Barnes: 0-2
Neverauskas: 2.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, BB, 2 K

— Altoona’s (24-19) recent hitting slump continued as the Curve managed only two hits in a 3-2 loss to Akron. Alex McRae recovered from a terrible start to go seven innings. McRae gave up singles to the game’s first five batters, resulting in three runs, but he allowed no runs and two hits after that. He walked none and struck out five. Elvis Escobar and Jordan Luplow had the only hits.

Kevin Newman: 0-4 (182/250/288 in May)
Kevin Kramer: 0-4, 2 K
Connor Joe: 0-2, 2 BB
Edwin Espinal: 0-4
Wyatt Mathisen: 0-3

— Gage Hinsz continued to struggle in Bradenton’s (28-19) 8-4 loss to St. Lucie. Hinsz gave up 11 hits and eight runs in four and a third innings. Hinsz has made three starts since skipping a turn due to a sore shoulder and has allowed 17 earned runs in 12.2 IP. Sam Street followed Hinsz with four and two-thirds scoreless innings, striking out six. Logan Hill left the game for unknown reasons after hitting a sacrifice fly his first time up.

Cole Tucker: 0-3, 2 BB, 2 K
Will Craig: 1-5
Christian Kelley: 1-4
Casey Hughston: 0-4