Cannonballs Coming: Jameson Taillon strikes out nine

In likely his final rehab start before returning to the major leagues, Jameson Taillon had nine strikeouts in two walks, but also gave up hits in clusters in Indianapolis’ 5-1 loss at Toledo on Wednesday. It was Taillon’s third rehab start since surgery for testicular cancer in May; Clint Hurdle has indicated Taillon will return to the major-league team after three starts.

Taillon ramped up to 97 pitches and six innings. His defense-independent numbers were nice, but he allowed five runs on nine hits. With two outs in the third inning, Taillon allowed four straight baserunners and two runs. He put two on to start the fourth and almost got out of the jam before a two-out, two-run single by rehabbing Tigers catcher James McCann.

Cody Dickson and Edgar Santana pitched a scoreless inning each in relief.

Indianapolis managed just two hits, both from Danny Ortiz, including an eighth-inning double. Jason Rogers and Joey Terdoslavach both walked twice, and Terdoslavich hit a sacrifice fly.

Austin Meadows 0-for-3, 1 run, 1 walk

Gift Ngoepe 0-for-4

Kevin Kramer and Chase Simpson homered and Altoona beat Harrisburg, 5-3. Simpson’s blast came in a pinch-hit appearance in the seventh. Wyatt Mathisen and Pablo Reyes had two hits each. Reyes knocked a double, and Mathisen added a walk. Starter J.T. Brubaker didn’t walk a batter and allowed two hits, striking out five in six scoreless innings. Only a walk blemished Montana DuRapau’s ninth inning for the save.

Kevin Newman 1-for-4

Kevin Kramer 1-for-4, HR

Jordan Luplow 1-for-4, 1 run

Bradenton, which had been rained out for three straight days, had a scheduled day off.

Oddy Nunez allowed just one hit, his catcher Brent Gibbs went 3-for-3 and West Virginia defeated Delmarva, 3-2, at home. Nunez pitched five innings, with a strikeout and a walk. Gibbs smacked a home run in the seventh. Hunter Owen also homered. Albert Baur was 2-for-4 with a double.

Alexis Bastardo 1-for-4, 1 run, 1 SB, 1 K

Eduardo Vera 3 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 5 K, 0 BB