Cannonballs Coming: Adrian Valerio hits two home runs, Hightower throws five hitless innings

Indianapolis (40-31) was postponed.

Altoona (38-31) was postponed.

Bradenton (37-31) lost 2-1 to Lakeland. Pedro Vasquez continued his effective pitching (2.27 ERA on the year), lasting six innings and allowing two runs. But it wasn't enough, as the Marauders were shut down by Lakeland left-hander Matt Hall. Hall thew six scoreless innings and Bradenton didn't get on the board until the eighth, when Alfredo Reyes hit a solo home run (2). Brandon Cumpton followed Vasquez with two scoreless innings.

Will Craig 2-3

Ke'Bryan Hayes 0-4

Logan Hill 0-4

Pedro Vasquez 6 IP, 5 hits, 2 K, 3 walks

The West Virgina Power (31-36) rallied late for a 9-6 victory over Lexington. Luis Escobar had an ugly night, lasting 4 2-3 innings and surrendering five runs. Although he struck out 8, Escobar allowed three walks and two home runs. But the West Virginia offense beat up on Lexington pitching with 13 hits and four home runs. It was a big night for Adrian Valerio, who hit two of those home runs, a solo shot in the first and a two-run shot in the sixth. The Power scored five runs in the sixth. In addition to Valerio's home run, Clark Eagan hit a two-run double and Ty Moore hit his second home run of the year.

Adrian Valerio 2-5, 2 home runs (1st and 2nd of the year)

Ty Moore 2-3, home run (2), walk

Trae Arbet 2-4

Luis Escobar 4 2-3 IP, 5 hits, 8 K, 3 walks, 2 home runs

The West Virginia Black Bears (3-1) defeated Williamsport 3-0 behind an absolutely dominant start from Scooter Hightower. Hightower went five innings, allowing no hits and striking out 10 without allowing a walk. He thew 50 of 69 pitches for strikes. Pasquale Mazzocoli followed with another two scoreless innings, striking out four. The Black Bears were quiet on offense, only recording six singles, but it was more than enough with the stellar pitching they received on the evening.

Scooter Hightower 5 IP, no hits, 10 K, no walks

Ryan Nagle 2-3, RBI

Nick King 2-4

Sandy Santos 1-4

Bristol (0-1) opened its 2017 season versus Johnson City, but lost 6-5 in 13 innings. Domingo Robles had a good start for the Pirates, giving up only one run on a solo homer over five innings of work. Jhoan Herrera and Edison Lantigua both hit solo homers, and after a four-run sixth the Pirates were leading 5-1. The Cardinals scored three runs off Brian Sousa in the bottom of the sixth to narrow the gap to 5-4. The score would remain that way until the ninth inning, when Even Piechota blew his first save opportunity, allowing Johnson City to tie the game at 5. Argenis Romano gave up a solo home run in the 13th.

Domingo Robles 5 IP, 2 hits, 3 K, no walks, 1 HR

Edison Lantigua 2-6, double, home run (1)

Jhoan Herrera 1-4, home run (1), 2 walks

The DSL Pirates (8-9) lost 6-3 to the DSL Rays. The Pirates had only four hits, but did receive a strong outing from Oliver Garcia, who went five innings and struck out six.

Oliver Garcia 5 IP, 4 hits, 6 K, 1 walk

Samuel Inoa 1-3