Columbus Clippers 6, Indianapolis Indians 3

Box Score · Clippers improve to 58-51

Yandy-man, Yandy-man, does whatever those huge biceps can! I miss Yandy Diaz mania, I’ll admit. But he just couldn’t hit in the majors, and it made sense to have him get full playing time in Triple-A when Jason Kipnis returned from his preseason injury.

Since his demotion, he’s done nothing but hit with the Columbus Clippers, slashing .347/.453/.477 with five home runs, and he’s even hotter lately. Over his last 10 games he’s gone 14-for-31 with a home run and 12 walks to three strikeouts. He had a three-hit game against the Indianapolis Indians yesterday, his fourth multi-hit game in his last five. That was Yandy’s fifth game this season with three or more hits, and it extended his on-base streak to 10 games.

Unless Jason Kipnis suffers some kind of major setback in his rehab assignment, he’s still going to block Yandy in the majors, but at least we can watch him and his huge biceps in Columbus every night.

As for the rest of Clippers last night, Tyler Naquin and Eric Stamets each added two hits. Naquin is another hot outfielder for the Clip Show, slashing .320/.369/.536 on the season. Naquin and catcher Adam Moore each added home runs, as well.

Chris Narveson got the start, lasting six innings and allowing three runs off nine hits. Shawn Armstrong, who might be on his way back the Indians soon with recent injuries, struck out two batters in his lone inning of work.

Akron RubberDucks 5, Hartford Yard Goats 10

Box Score · RubberDucks fall to 52-55

Right fielder Mike Papi led the Akron RubberDucks with three hits, but it was enough to overcome a rough outing from starter Matt Whitehouse.

Now clear of any potential trade deadline moves, catcher Francisco Mejia has continued to struggle in Akron. He’s gone 5-for-30 over his last 10 games, though he’s only struck out twice and he’s drawn five walks. The rest of his season has been so incredible, though, that his yearlong slash still sits at .317/.369/.517. Mejia was 0-for-4 yesterday.

Jason Kipnis made his third rehab start yesterday and notched his first hit on the road back to the Indians — a two-out home run in the third.

Lynchburg Hillcats 5, Potomac Nationals 6

Box Score · Hillcats fall to 63-46

Happy birthday, Triston McKenzie! The Tribe’s top pitching prospect turned 20 yesterday and celebrated with... well, I hope he had a fun birthday party after the game or something.

McKenzie had one of the worst outings of his young career against the Potomac Nationals, allowing six runs off six hits in five innings. He still truck out a pair of batters, but he also walked three. Jared Robinson and Billy Strode held the Nationals scoreless over the last three innings, but the Lynchburg Hillcats offense couldn’t cover the deficit.

Shortstop Willi Castro led the way with three hits, while left fielder Andrew Calica, center fielder Ka’a Tom, and catcher Martin Cervenka each had two hits.

Lynchburg outhit Potomac, 11-9, but were just 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position and left 13 runners stranded on the basepaths. McKenzie’s outing was bad, but the Hillcats offense had plenty of chances to redeem him.

Lake County Captains 6, South Bend Cubs 7

Box Score · Captains fall to 45-62

The Lake County Captains, led by second baseman Alexis Pantoja’s four hits, fell just shy of winning their 46th game yesterday. Mostly because, outside of Pantoja’s big day and a home run from first baseman Jose Medina, the offense didn’t do a whole lot.

This was a career game for Pantoja; the first time he’s ever had four hits in a game.

Left fielder Michael Tinsley had a rough go of it, striking out in three of his four plate appearances.

Justin Garza finished his start with four hits allowed off 10 hits.

Mahoning Valley Scrappers 6, Auburn Doubledays 9

Box Score · Scrappers fall to 25-17

Starting pitcher Francisco Perez put the Mahoning Valley Scrappers in a bad position last night when he lasted just 0.2 innings and allowed six runs off three hits.

The Doubledays started the game with three straight hits off Perez — two singles a double — before Perez was able to record his first strikeout. The first run scored on a sac fly, then a wild pitch scored another. One walk later and Perez was pulled.

Shortstop Jesse Berardi, third baseman Nolan Jones, and designated hitter Simeon Lucas each had two hits in the loss.

AZL Indians 4, AZL Mariners 5

Box Score · Indians fall to 8-21

The youngest group of Indians have had a rough season so far. Wins and losses do not really matter in the AZL, of course, but it can’t be fun being 8-21 to start your first professional season.

Left fielder Gabriel Mejia had a hit in his rehab assignment.

Juan Mota pitched just 4.1 innings, but he struck out eight in just a little over four frames.

The DSL Indians had a scheduled off-day.