Akron gets the headline today thanks to the efforts of Giovanni Soto, who pitched the first no-hitter for Akron since Jeanmar Gomez pitched a perfect game in May, 2009. Soto took 104 pitches to finish the game, walking three batters, allowing one unearned run (courtesy of a Tyler Holt throwing error) while striking out 6. Injuries since Soto joined the organization in 2010 have limited Soto's status, but he has always pitched well when healthy. The effort brings Soto's season ERA down in the 3.7 range, while raising his innings total to 101. Given the organization's approach to pitching workloads and Soto's career high of 113 innings, it is possible his usage will get adjusted for the second half of the season or he will be shut down at some point. Soto, along with T.J. McFarand, Corey Kluber, Matt Packer and Steven Wright, is part of the next wave of arms that represent organizational starting pitching depth (along with the injury crew - Austin Adams, Hector Rondon, Trey Haley, Danny Salazar and Clayton Cook). None profile as a high-end starter, but all have the potential to contribute in some role at the major league level.
Here is a link to the milb.com story on the game.
Vinny Rottino continued in his quest to become the not-Aaron Cunningham by racking up two doubles and a walk. Since joining Columbus, Rottino has hit a very respectable .315/.440/.560. Not to be outdone, Russ Canzler added a double and, for the second game in a row, a HR (#14). Those two provided the Clippers only offense, though, which was not enough to overcome four runs allowed by T.J. McFarland. Matt Langwell and Eric Berger combined for three innings of near perfect relief (Berger allowed a walk) while striking out six batters.
The first five Mudcats batters reached base successfully, culminating in a Carlos Moncrief grandslam (#12), and the Carolina offense did not stop there. Everyone in the lineup outside of Delvi Cid had a hit, with Tony Wolters (#3) and Ronny Rodriguez (#11) adding HRs. For the third time since Thursday Bo Greenwell had three hits. Danny Salazar got roughed up for four runs (off two HRs) in his three innings, but Jordan Cooper pitched five innings of the piggyback start to help Carolina hold on for the victory.
Lake County's offense was also feeling good Sunday night. Only Jerrud Sabourin was hitless, while Luigi Rodriguez went 4-4 with a HR (#7) and a double. Rodriguez's power this year, 26 extrabase hits and an ISO of .135, is a pleasant surprise and is likely to raise his prospect profile if he can maintain it throughout the remainder of the season. Francisco Lindor (#5) and Todd Haskins (#2) added HRs in the effort. Elvis Araujo allowed five runs in five innings, but struck out seven and walked one. Felix Sterling pitched four scoreless innings of piggyback relief.
Mahoning Valley, Hudson Valley (postponed)