Cannonballs coming: 3 hits for Cole Tucker

--Indianapolis (27-27) defeated Scranton Wilkes-Barre 7-3 as Tyler Eppler pitched 6 innings allowing 3 runs(2 earned) with 3 walks to go along with 4 Ks. After falling behind 2-0 in the first, Chris Bostick got Indy on the board with a solo homer. Indy exploded for 5 runs in the second as Ryan Lavarnway hit a 2 run homer which was followed by a Max Moroff 2 run double. Jordan Luplow then doubled home Max Moroff for the 5th run of the inning. Eric Wood hit a solo homer(6) in the 3rd to give Indianapolis a 7-2 lead. Jesus Liranzo, Bo Schultz, and Dovydas Neverauskas all pitched a scoreless inning in relief. Neverauskas has doubled his strikeout percentage from 2017(currently 36%). It is also worth noting that Eppler has put together a very solid year so far. In the appearances I’ve seen he has often struck me as too hittable but he has pitched nearly 60 innings so far this year with an ERA, FIP and xFIP all near 3.

Chris Bostick: 3-5, homerun(3)

Max Moroff: 2-4, double

Jordan Luplow: 2-4, double

Kevin Kramer: 0-4, 2 Ks

Pablo Reyes: 2-4

Ryan Lavarnway: 2-4, homerun(1)

-- It was a rough day for Pedro Vasquez as Altoona(26-26) lost to Hartford 8-5 as Will Craig did his best Pedro Alvarez imitation at first base. Craig committed two errors in the third frame which enabled a 3 run inning for Charlotte. The Yard Goats would eventually tag Vasquez for 6 runs(3 earned) and Geoff Hartlieb for 2 more as they amassed an 8-1 lead . Altoona would score 2 runs in the 7th and another 2 in the 8th to cut Hartford’s lead to 8-5 but that was as close as they would get. Cole Tucker had a strong day with 3 hits, including a double.

Cole Tucker: 3-4, double, walk

Ke’Bryan Hayes: 2-4, double, walk

Jason Martin: 1-4, walk

Will Craig: 0-4, 3 Ks

Pedro Vasquez: 5 IP, 8 hits, 3 walks, 4 Ks

--Bradenton(28-23) was blown out by Charlotte 10-1 as Oddy Nunez suffered through a poor start. Nunez only lasted 4 innings allowing 4 runs and giving up 5 free passes. He was relieved by Jess Amedee who dumped more gasoline on the fire surrendering another 4 runs and not even making it out of the inning before being lifted for Scooter Hightower. Hightower had his own problems and gave up 2 runs in 2.1 innings pitched. Although the Marauders only scored one run they did collect 11 hits. Mitchell Tolman(just coming off his suspension) lead the way with 4 hits and a double. Jung Ho Kang had the day off.

Albert Baur: 2-4

Mitchell Tolman: 4-5, double

-- West Virginia(26-25)lost 5-2 to Greensboro. Hunter Stratton continued to struggle giving up 7 hits and 5 runs in 4.2 innings pitched. Greensboro jumped out to 2-0 lead in the first and added 3 more in the fifth to stretch their lead to 5-0. West Virgina got on the board when Chris Sharpe hit a solo shot (3) in the 6th. The Power would add an additional run in the 9th on a Mason Martin RBI groundout.

Oneil Cruz: 1-3, triple

Cal Mitchell: 1-4

Mason Martin: 1-4, 2 Ks