All Hands on Deck: Keller stating his case

Triple-A

Indianapolis (34-24) wasted a sterling pitching performance as they fell 3-1 at Toledo (24-34)

Mitch Keller (5-1, 3.10) was pounding the table in Toledo, demanding a return to the major leagues, as he struck out 13 of the 19 batters he faced over five innings. Nonetheless, he left in a scoreless tie.

The game started ominously for Keller when Danny Woodrow led of the first with a line single to left, followed by walks to Daniel Pineiro and Will Castro to load the bases with none out - but then Victor Reyes was called out on strikes and Dustin Peterson and Kody Eaves both went down swinging.

2nd inning: Strikeout, strikeout, walk, strikeout

3rd inning: Strikeout, strikeout, strikeout

4th inning: Strikeout, strikeout, strikeout (on ten pitches)

5th inning: Fly out, strikeout, ground out (on ten pitches)

After 92 pitches, Keller’s night was done. From the first through the fourth, he struck out 12 of 13 batters.

Tyler Lyons gave up the first run of the game i the seventh on a single, walk and two fly balls, but the Indians came right back to tie it in the eighth on a triple by Ke’Bryan hayes and a single by Kevin Kramer.

Dovydas Neverauskas took the loss when allowed gave up a pair in the bottom of that eighth, on a walk, single, sacrifice fly and another single.

In his major league debut in Cincinnati two weeks ago, Keller allowed six first inning runs but settled down to strike out seven over the next four innings. In two games since being return to Triple-A, he’s allowed four hits and struck out 18 in 11 innings.

CF Jason Martin (262/305/492) who’s gone 14-for-42 (.333) over his last ten games, had two hits, as did 3B Ke’Bryan Hayes (245/339/387)

Double-A

Altoona’s bats (27-30) were similarly silent in 5-1 loss to visiting Akron (31-28)

Starter Sean Brady (3-5, 6.05) got blasted for five runs on ten hits in six innings, coughing up a pair of homers, accounting for four of the runs.

The Curve collected only seven hits and a walk while fanning nine times. RF Bligh Madris (244/304/344) had two hits, the only player with more than one.

High-A

Bradenton (34-26) dropped a 5-4 decision to visiting Dunedin (37-23)

21 year old right-hander Max Kranick (4-5, 4.30) pitched well, allowing only one run, a solo homer, on three hits and two walks in six innings while striking out three - but reliever Joe Jacques (3.19 ERA in 31 IP) gave up three runs in the seventh and eighth to allow Dunedin to come back and tie the score. Ryan Valdes (5.96 ERA in 24 ²⁄₃ IP) then gave up the game winner in the ninth on a double, ground out and wild pitch.

C Deon Stafford (258/371/416) led the Marauders offense with a triple homer (his third) and a walk, scoring two runs. DH Danny Amaral had two singles and two RBIs.

A 2016 draft choice out of Valley View HS in Archibald, Pa, Kranick has a minor league career 3.39 ERA.

Low-A

Greensboro (39-21) lost 2-1 in the regularly scheduled game at Lakewood (22-38)

Alex Manasa (6-1, 3.31) allowed only two runs in a six inning complete game on four hits and two walks, but the normally potent Grasshopper offense could post only one run.

That came in the first when with two outs 1B Mason Martin (254/350/565) doubled and scored on a triple by 2B Rodolfo Castro (250/308/537), who’s gone only 4-for-30 over his last ten games. Lolo Sanchez (313/396/470) had two hits.

Greensboro (39-22) then lost the continuation of May 12 game at Lakewood (23-38) by the same 2-1 score

In a game that was picked up in the sixth inning with Greensboro trailing 2-1 there was no additional scoring, Greensboro batter collected only thee hits without a walk.

Dominican Rookie

Pirates-1 (4-2) wins 5-3 over the Indians/Brewers Coop (2-4)

Pirates-2 (5-1) blast Giants (4-2) by a 12-3 score